MODAL VERB

DEFINITION:
Modal verb are also known as helping verb or modal auxiliary verb, are special verb, which
behave irregularly. These verbs give the additional information about the function of the main verb.

Modal verbs work as infinitive (a verb in its basic form with “to”) or combine with main verb
to modify meaning. Instead of giving information about time, they tell us about mode.

Example:

I can speak English.

I could not speak when I was one year old.

May I help you?

WHY WE USE MODAL VERBS:

Modal verbs are use to express the different degrees of certainty or. We use modal verbs to
show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible and to do things like talking about
ability.

There are more than 203 modal verbs but most common modal verbs and their uses are:

 Ability: can, be able to

 Possibility: can, could, may, might
 Permission: can, May
 Request: can, could, may, might, will, would
 Obligation: have to must

STRUCTURE OF MODAL VERB:

The structure of modal verb is simple: there is never a conjugation (verbs that do not change
to communicate) or a non-infinitive form.

 AFFIRMATIVE:

S+ MODAL +V+O

Example:

She can swim.

 NEGATIVE:

S+ MODAL + NOT+V+O
Example:

She cannot make good food.

I cannot drive.

 INTERROGATIVE:

MODAL +S+V+O

Example:

Can I help you?

Could you pass me that bowl?

However, there are some exceptions while making sentences:

 Do not use modals for things, which happen definitely.

Example:

The sun rises in the east.

A modal cannot be use in this sentence.

 They have no –s in the third person singular.

Example:

He can play football.

(“S” is not use with can.)

 Questions are without do/does/did.

Example:

Can he speak Spanish?

 It follows main verb in its infinitive.

Example:

They must read the book.

 There are no past forms (could and would)

Example:

Should she stay?

 You use the past participle you tell about things which did not happen in the past.
Example:

You should have told me.

1- CAN:
It is use in present tense.

ABILITY:

It can be use to show ability that you are able to do something.

Example:
 He is able to drive car.
 I can write novel.

OFFER:
Example:
 Can I carry your bag for you?
 Can I cook food for you?

PERMISSION:
Example:
 Can I borrow your pen please?
 Mother! Can I go with my friends?

POSSIBILITY:
It can get very cold there at night.
Example:
 We can use can in negative sense with not
 You cannot go outside.
 You cannot smoke here.

2- COULD:
It is use for past tense:

ABILITY:
Could is use to show the ability of past.

Example:
 I could run fast.
 I could play piano.

PERMISSION:
Example:
 Could I use your calculator?
 Could I drive your car?

SUGGESTION:
Example:
 We could paint wall by our self if you like.
 You could go to dinner.

POSSIBILITY:

Example:
 You could lose your way in the dark.
 Where are my keys? They could be in car.

Could is use in past sense but it can be use in present to show more politeness and more
respect.

3-MAY
May implies a chance of something to happen. It can be happen or it cannot be. Chances of
something to be happening are more.

PERMISSION:

Example:

 May I use your pen?

 May we go to park?

We can use “may” not only to take permission it can be to give permission.

Example:

 YES! You may use.

 We may go to park.

PREDICTION:

Example:

 May be my uncle come tomorrow.

 May be I get new car next month.

EXPRESS WISH:
Example:

 May you get long life!

 May your new home bring you happiness!

May and might are interchangeable normally without a significance difference. However, while
expressing wishes or giving permission only may is used.

4- MIGHT:
“Might” implies smaller chance to happening something. Chances of something to be happen are less
but it can be possible.

PREDICTION:

Example:

 It might rain today.

 They might leave for Karachi today.

POSSIBILITY:

Example:

 It might rain so take an umbrella.

 Karachi kings might win match.

PERMISSION:

Example:

 When he finishes his homework, he might go to bed.

5- SHALL
SUGGESTION:

Shall can be use to give or take suggestions.

Example:

 Shall we eat pizza tonight?

 Shall we play outside today?

OFFER:

Example:

 That box looks heavy. Shall I carry it for you?

 You are too much tired. Shall I get tea for you?
CONFIRMATION:

Example:

 I shall meet you there at 7am.

 I shall complete my work by 4am.

PROMISES:

Example:

 You shall be the first person to know.

 I shall not do that again.

Shall is not much use now a days, but still in modal verbs shall is used. Now will is use instead
of shall, but it may still found in formal speech or legal documents.

6- WILL:
RAPID DECISION:

Will is also use to take actions and decision immediately.

Example:

 I think we will go right now. (I just decided this right now)

 Which one? Um, I will have the chicken sandwich please.

OFFER:

Example:

 You look tired. I will finish the dishes for you.

 I will drive you to the market if you want.

THREAT:

Example:

 If you say something, I will kill you.

 If you do not share that chocolate with me, I will break all your teeth.

PROMISE:

Example:

 Don’t worry I will not tell any one

  I will iron your clothes after dinner.

PREDICTION:

Example:

 I think you will find the movie interesting.

 I think it will rain so take an umbrella for you.

REFUSE:

Example:

 I will not listen anything, just go away.

 I will not go for shopping.

7- SHOULD OR OUGHT TO:

We use ought to and should to give advice and make recommendation. It means we suggest some
one or advice someone to do that work or to not.

Example:

 Your hair is too long. You should get hair cut.

 You should take care of your health.

In past tense:

Should +have+past participle:

Example:

 You should have told me about that carpet.

Situation like in the present:

Example:

 Suman should be at home now. Give her a call.

“Ought to” is also use same as should for advice or suggestion but in more respected way and
with more and more politeness.

Should can be replaced by ought to without a change in meaning

Example:
  You ought to study.
 You ought to take care of yourself.

Should not:
It is use to advice not do something, it may be dangerous or harmful.

Example:

 Your hair is beautiful, you should not get haircut.

 You should not mix with bad boys.
 You should not work so much.

CONCLUSION:
These modal verbs are usual in our routine. We use some modal verb to show ability, prohibition,
and advice or necessity refusal. One modal verb can have variety of usage but one thing is similar
that is structure of these sentences. All modal verbs can be form on similar pattern.

S+modal+ V+O