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Notes 1

Uploaded by

David
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5.

3 Modal verbs verbs (modal auxiliaries)


Another important group of verbs are the modals (sometimes called modal auxiliaries). Modals
allow us to express our attitudes, to give information about how much obligation or certainty we
feel about the action (which is expressed by the main verb).

Meaning Modal

probability can, may, could*, might, will, should***

obligation must, may, ought, have to, should, would**

If we feel very sure about something, we use high modality, and if we're unsure we use low
modality.

High modality Medium modality Low modality

must/ will may (oblig.& probability)

must will should (probability)

ought to should might

shall can could/may/might

have to need to would

*Could can also function as the past tense of can (to express ability).
eg The captain could (was able to) only just see the cliffs through the rain and mist.

* Could can also function as the past tense of can (to express ability).
eg The captain could (was able to) only just see the cliffs through the rain and mist.

** Would also can function as the past tense of will


eg When I was a kid, we would go to the beach every day. (to express a regular occurrence)

*** NOTE Once again verbs can function differently depending on the context.
'Must', 'will', 'may' and 'should' can express either probability or obligation.

eg: It's 10.30. They should be home by now.


Here should indicates probability and in this context would be regarded as low modality as the
speaker's attitude is less certain than if s/he had said:
They will be home by now (medium); or: They must be home by now (high)

BUT It's 10.30. You should go to bed.


Here should expresses the (medium) obligation for you to go to bed.
You will go to bed (whether you like it or not); and: you must go to bed both express a strong
obligation (high modality)

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