MODALS

Meaning:
Modal express the mode of action denoted by the main verbs. Modals are a set of verbs which
are always used with other verbs to express our feelings about what we are saying in fact.
Modals are the modifier forms of helping verbs.
Two types of modals:
Pure modals: Pure modals never change their form regardless of subject and don't change to
show past tense. These verbs can express certainty or suggestion.
Shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, might, must,
Semi modals: Semi modals are used to imply a range of possibilities, obligations, necessity,
or advice. Ought to, used to, need, has/had/have to, etc.
Features of Modals:
1. Modals always express the imaginary actions like ability, power, permission, request,
possibility, Willingness, certainty, etc.
2. Modals do not come alone, they always take the 1st form of the verb with them.
3. Modals are never affected by the person, number and gender of the subject.
4. Modals do not add’s’ or 'es' for the third person singular.
Usage of modals:
1. Can:
The rule for the use of Modal ‘Can’ is that it is used to express permission, possibility, ability
or capacity.
Examples
1) Can I go to the market? (Permission)
2) Anyone can be the thief. (Possibility)
3) He can stay awake for 2 days. (Ability/ Capacity)
2. Could
The rule for the use of Modal ‘Could’ is that it is used to express ability or capacity in the
past, polite request or a possibility under certain circumstances.
Examples:
1) He could run very fast in his youth. (Ability/ Capacity in the past)
2) Could you wait for him? (Polite request)
3) If we had money, we could have bought a house. (Possibility under certain conditions)

3. May
The rule for the use of Modal ‘May’ is that it is used to express possibility, permission, wish,
faith, hope or a purpose.
Examples:
1) It may snow in the evening. (Possibility)
2) May I go now, sir? (Permission)
3) May God always be with you. (Wish, faith or hope)
4) He is working hard so that he may get an appraisal. (Purpose)
4. Might:
The rule for the use of Modal ‘Might’ is that it is used to express less possibility, permission
or a guess.
Examples:
1) It might rain today. (Less possibility)
2) Might I go to get the files? (Permission)
3) That might be the new guard. (Guess)
5. Must:
The rule for use of Modal ‘Must’ is that it is used to express obligation/ duty, necessity,
compulsion, prohibition, emphatic advice, determination, assumption, conclusion/
interference, certainty/ strong probability.
Examples:
1) We must not steal money from anyone. (Duty)
2) You must follow the orders of your boss. (Obligation)
3) I must reach work on time. (Necessity)
4) He must do as I say. (Compulsion)
5) You must not smoke in public places. (Prohibition)
6) You must see a dentist at once. (Emphatic advice)
7) We must not go before they come back. (Determination)
8) The students must be in their classes at this time. (Strong Probability)
9) He must be 40 years old. (Assumption)
10) He must have left by now. (Certainty)
6. Will:
1) The first rule for the use of Modal ‘will’ is that it expresses pure future with second and
third person as subjects.
2) The second rule for use of Modal ‘will’ is that it shows willingness, intention, promise,
and determination with the first person as a subject.
3) The third and last use of Modal ‘will’ is that it tells about the characteristic, habit,
assumption, invitation or request and insistence.
Examples:
1) The prime minister will hoist the flag. (Pure Future)
2) I will meet you again. (Promise)
3) I will need your help. (Willingness/ intention)
4) He will achieve his goals. (Determination)
5) A child will usually obey his parents. (Characteristic habit)
6) He will be here at any moment. (Assumption)
7) Will you go with me. (Request)
8) He will not listen to his teacher’s advice. (Insistence)
7. Would:
The rule for the use of Modal ‘would’ is that it expresses past habits, polite request, wish/
preference or an imaginary condition.

Examples:
1. He would wake up early in the morning and go to work. (Past habits)
2. Would you get me a glass of water, please? (Polite request)
3. I wish you would be here. (Wish)
4. I would rather have food at home than outside. (Preference)
8. Shall:
1) The first rule for the use of Modal ‘Shall’ is that it expresses pure future with the first
person as the subject.
2) The second rule for the use of Modal ‘Shall’ is that it is used to ask for advice,
suggestions, requests, etc. with the first person in the interrogative.
3) The third rule for the use of Modal ‘Shall’ is that it is used to express command, threat,
warning, promise, assurance, determination, etc. with the second and third person as the
subjects.
Examples:
1) I shall teach you to dance. (Pure Future)
2) Shall I bring a glass of fresh juice for you? (Request)
3) Shall I close the door? (Advice)
4) Shall we go to the market tomorrow? (Suggestion)
5) You shall get a reward for your achievement. (Promise/ Assurance)
6) You shall go to your room. (Command)
7) They shall win the match. (Determination)
9. Should:
1) The first rule for the use of Modal ‘Should’ is that it is used to express duty, obligation,
advisability or desirability.
2) The second rule for the use of Modal ‘Should’ is that it is used to express logical
interference, supposition, assumption, possibility or probability.
3) The third rule for the use of Modal ‘Should’ is that it is used to express a purpose after
‘lest’.
Examples:
1) We should go to school every day. (Duty)
2) You should not be late for work. (Obligation/ Desirability)
3) You should exercise more often. (advisability)
4) He should be at the office by now. (Possibility)
5) If he should see me there, he will be happy. (Probable Condition)
6) Leave on time, lest you should miss the train. (Should after lest)
Semi modals:
1. Need:
The main rule for the use of Modal ‘Need’ is that it chiefly shows the absence of necessity or
compulsion in the negative and interrogative sentences.
Example:
You need not worry about work.
2. Ought:
The rule for the use of Modal ‘Will’ is that it is used to express the subjects obligation or duty
and also it is used to give advice.
Example:
1) I ought to love my parents. (Obligation/ Duty)
2) We ought not to cheat anyone. (Duty)
3. Dare:
The rule for using the Modal ‘Dare’ is that it is used at places where we need to show
courage. It is generally used in negative and interrogative way.
Example:
1) I dare not fail in my exams. (Negative)
2) How dare you interrupt us? (Interrogative)
4. Used to:
The rule for the usage of Modal ‘Used to’ is that it is used to express past habits and to
express the existence of something in the past.
Examples:
1) I used to go swimming every morning. (Past Habits)
2) There used to be a door at this place long ago.(Existence of something in the past)