English is a significant language today. If you know grammar correctly, your language is called perfect. Everyone knows that it’s a matter of language and words to be worthy and valuable. You must be convenient while speaking the language. If you want to learn the modal auxiliary verbs, go through this article. Modal verbs or modal auxiliary verbs are defined as special verbs in English grammar.
These words are not used regularly in English grammar. These verbs provide extra information about the action of the main verb. You must be aware of the modal auxiliary verbs usage and functions to be extremely great in language and communication. All of your questions will be resolved here including what are auxiliary verbs?
So, let’s initiate the important information about these words.
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What are Modal Auxiliary Verbs?
The modal auxiliary verbs are referred to as helping verbs. To define it better, it’s a flavoursome ingredient of a recipe that makes it delicious to eat. These words emphasize the main verbs along with supporting them to make their value.
Certain modal verbs rules encircle their utility. It can be extremely advantageous if you can learn the rules of these verbs. Also, the utilization of modal verbs will help you make grammatically correct English sentences. When we talk about communicating in English, it’s tremendously important to learn the modals in English grammar. It makes our language beautiful and soothing.
You must know how bulbous garlic modal verbs can change the meaning of the sentence and other verbs used in a sentence. So, without any more delay, let’s begin with the information.
What are Modals in English Grammar?
This is a question that comes to everyone’s mind because these words are slightly different in their usage from the other verbs. If you want to know about it in detail, this article has modal verbs examples for your benefit.
These verbs are also used in regular sentences to provide extra information or to emphasize the main verb. These verbs make the sentence adapt to one of the following four purposes:
#. To indicate ability;
#. To show a level of possibility;
#. To give permission.
#. To show obligation – a requirement to do something;
Modal verbs in English grammar play a vital role. So, let’s learn about them with examples.
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Modals in English Grammar
You must be thinking about the correct set of modal verbs in English grammar. Well, you need not think about it more, all the main modal verbs are written below. There are ten main modal verbs. Here is the modal verb list:
#. Will
#. Would
#. Should and Ought to
#. Could
#. May
#. Can
#. Shall
#. Must
#. Might
These modal auxiliary verbs will help your sentence to convey different expressions. The obligation, possibility, permissions, or abilities are shown by these verbs. So, learn to accept and use them in your spoken language.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
#1. Will
If you are looking for its usage, this verb is used when the certainty that something will be done is to be communicated. For example;
I will pay my student fees.
The action becomes concrete and certain to be made when this modal verb is used. The other uses of “will” are given in the table below.
| Use of “will” in English grammar | Examples |
| It can be used as a modal verb of certainty. Moreover, it is used for the future or the past. | Don’t bother, he’ll have left for her flight. |
| Used in the sentences to promise or treat. | If you don’t work now, your father will send you to abroad for working. |
| “Will” can show reassurance or making a decision. | Don’t worry! Your brother will come quickly. |
| It works for making the semi-formal request. | Will you please write a letter for me? It’s urgent. |
| It shows expressing interest or willingness. | We are organizing a meeting this Saturday, will you come? |
| Works as intention expressing | I’ll play the piano if you sing the song. |
| It is used to express any habitual behaviour | This doesn’t surprise me at all that you don’t know the meaning! You will keep on gossiping in class. |
| It is used for prediction making | The weather will be stormy in the coming months. |
#2. Would
| The functions of “would” | Examples |
| To express actions depending on situations | If my brother had a car, he would have left for a visit to the mountains by Tueday. |
| To comment on the behavioural characteristics | It’s better to not disturb him. He would ruin our picnic with his arrogant behaviour. |
| To talk about the future in the past. | I knew Sheela would come, that’s why I prepared sitting and food for four. |
| To show habitual behaviour in the past. | Every Thursday, we would go to dine together. |
| To comment on the hypothetical possibility | If he trained, he would become capable of winning the competition. |
| To talk about the past refusal | My brother wouldn’t come to the party, no matter how much we requested of him. |
| To talk about likely truth | I hear the door closing. That would be your sister! |
| To show any habitual activity | My dog would always bark when someone unknown would come close me or my family member. |
| To request a permission | Would you mind if I go to my friend’s place and stay with her for some time? |
| For knowing certain preferences | Would you prefer a coffee or tea? |
| For requesting somebody | Would you please go to the room once and check if my phone is charged or not? |
#3. Should
Should (or shouldn’t) expresses the idea of a requirement or a suggestion.
| Use of positive and negative modal verbs | Example |
| To convey an idea | I should pay my fees, but I have not gotten around to doing it. |
| To suggest | Harry should try the ice cream! It’s delicious. |
| Negative modal verb | The dress shouldn’t be wet. |
#4. Ought to
There is a slight difference between “should” and “ought to”. The noted difference is that “ought to” implies more obligation than “should”. Let’s check the use of “ought to” sentences. An example can be: I ought to go to the bank to pay my fees, but I have a bad cold.
| Use in English grammar | Example sentence |
| It is used in more intense and strong situations. It shows more expression and obligation. | I ought to go to the bank to pay my fees, but I have a bad cold. |
#5. Could
It politely expresses obligation or permission. It can also be used to make recommendations or requests. Moreover, it can also identify and show a present or future possibility related to any current situation. Let’s understand the use of “could” with the help of sentences.
| Uses of modal verbs | Examples in a sentence |
| To suggest | I could pay my fees. I have chosen not to. |
| To request | Could you please repeat the answer? |
| To identify present possibility | The man could go to a movie or could spend some time in the resort. |
| To show a capability that existed in the past. | In my college days, I could support anyone in running. |
| To show future possibilities which depend upon a present task. | If they practiced more, they could win the speech competition. |
| These modal verbs can be used for obligation and permission in a polite form. | Could I lend my notebook for your next exam? |
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#6. May
It is used in formal permission-based sentences. Moreover, it can also be used to show present or future possibilities. It is said to have a double role as you can use it for the permissions as well as showing the possibilities.
| Use of modal verbs | Example |
| These can be referred to as modal verbs of possibility as these express possibilities of present and future. | You may pay my fees on my behalf. Or
My fees may be paid. |
| To express or seek permission in informal situations. | May I come in? |
#7. Can
This shows an ability to take action. This is the most commonly used modal auxiliary. It can’t be used for the past tense.
| Use of modals in English grammar | Examples |
| To ask or express something about the willingness | Can you help me? |
| Use in the negative modal verb. It is used for expressing impossibility or inability. | The meeting can’t be organized in such a short time. |
| It is also used to show any ability in the context of knowing how to perform a certain task. | The group can sing and dance but are not sure about performing on stage. |
| To show some possibility if a function is possible theoretically. | My fees are overdue. I can pay them on Monday. |
| To ask for permission for doing something. Also, for being allowed to perform certain tasks. | Mom, can I please go to the trip with my friends? |
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#8. Shall
This shows that something will happen. It is used for multiple uses as well. Look in the table below.
| Use of modals in English grammar | Example in sentences |
| To ask polite question/ request/ permission in English | Shall I clean your wardrobe? |
| To offer help to someone | Shall I help you in dusting today? |
| To advice or suggest | Shall we ask the boss for 2.30 then? |
| To ask something | Shall we go now or do you have any other discussion to make? |
| To promise. These sentences are common in British Grammar. | I shall pay my fees as soon as my funds clear. |
| Simple presentation of I and we in British English | Shall all of us go then? |
| To show some legal or formal scenario. | The customers shall be allowed to ask their queries. |
#9. Must
| Use of modals in English grammar In sentences | Examples |
| To command with an external obligation sense | I must pay my fees, or I will not be allowed to attend lectures. |
| To make a conjecture with some certainty | It’s already so late in the party, you must be hungry! |
| To stop. | They mustn’t roam everywhere when the official gathering takes place. |
| It is also used to command respectfully. | You’all must finish your meal before going to the meeting. |
#10. Might
| Use of modal verbs might | Example |
| It is used to express present and future possibilities. | I might pay my fees. |
| “Might” can also be used in English grammar for seeking formal permissions. | Might I be excused from the party today? |
| It can be referred to as modal verbs of possibility as these express past possibilities | I might pay my fees. It depends on whether my classes get better. |
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Conclusion
These verbs must have given you the idea to use them perfectly in your sentence. We hope that you have got a good understanding of English grammar through this article. If you want to master the English language or if you are planning to shift into some foreign country, you have to learn about these verbs perfectly.
You can master the language when you know the usage of these words. So, if you want to share something or have anything to ask, do tell in the comment box given below.
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