Modal verbs
lend texture and meaning to language. The main function of modal verbs is to
allow the speaker or writer to express their opinion of, or their attitude to,
a proposition. These attitudes can cover a wide range of possibilities
including obligation, asking for and giving permission, disapproval,
advising, logical deduction, ability, possibility, necessity, absence of
necessity and so on. The problem with each modal verb is that it can have
more that one meaning and the interpretation of a particular modal will depend
heavily on the context in which it is being used.
All the
auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary
verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone
as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in
that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal
verbs are:-
Modal
|
Example
|
Uses
|
They can
control their own budgets.
We can’t
fix it.
Can I
smoke here?
Can you
help me?
|
Ability /
Possibility
Inability
/ Impossibility
Asking for
permission
Request
|
|
Could I
borrow your dictionary?
Could you
say it again more slowly?
We could
try to fix it ourselves.
I think we
could have another Gulf War.
He gave up
his old job so he could work for us.
|
Asking for
permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future
possibility
Ability in
the past
|
|
May I have
another cup of coffee?
China may
become a major economic power.
|
Asking for
permission
Future
possibility
|
|
We'd
better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.
They might
give us a 10% discount.
|
Present
possibility
Future
possibility
|
|
We must
say good-bye now.
They
mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.
|
Necessity
/ Obligation
Prohibition
|
|
We ought
to employ a professional writer.
|
Saying
what’s right or correct
|
|
(More common in the UK than the US)
|
Shall I
help you with your luggage?
Shall we
say 2.30 then?
Shall I do
that or will you?
|
Offer
Suggestion
Asking
what to do
|
We should
sort out this problem at once.
I think we
should check everything again.
Profits
should increase next year.
|
Saying
what’s right or correct
Recommending
action
Uncertain
prediction
|
|
I can’t
see any taxis so I’ll walk.
I'll do
that for you if you like.
I’ll get
back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits
will increase next year.
|
Instant
decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain
prediction
|
|
Would you
mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Would you
pass the salt please?
Would you
mind waiting a moment?
"Would
three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine."
Would you
like to play golf this Friday?
"Would
you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."
|
Asking for
permission
Request
Request
Making
arrangements
Invitation
Preferences
|
!Note The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.
The verb used to, which is explained here, can also be
used like a modal verb.
Perfect Modal Verbs
modal verb + have + past participle
|