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Basic Modals Click for Audio Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that

is to enhance or restrict the verb to a certain context. The most common modal auxiliaries in English are: can could may should might will must would

Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences: I pay my taxes. I can pay my taxes. I might pay my taxes. I will pay my taxes. I should pay my taxes. I could pay my taxes. I would pay my taxes. I must pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do. Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay. Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won't. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time. Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply. Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don't). . . Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply.

Modals are followed by only the base form of the verb and are not used alone unless there is a clear connection to a main verb. He must to finish his homework. He must finish his homework. Jack could heard the bell. Jack could hear the bell. Penny will going to the movie. Penny will go to the movie. WRONG RIGHT WRONG RIGHT WRONG RIGHT

There are many ways to make requests in English. The most common involves using the imperative and modals. See the examples below:

Using the Imperative The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The subject of an imperative sentence is understood as "you" although it is usually not spoken. Open the door. Will you help me? Pick up your toys. Please help me. (You) open the door. Yes, I will (help you). (You) pick up your toys. (You) please help me.

The imperative is often used by persons of authority when speaking to subordinates, e.g. parent to child. Using Modals To show respect and politeness, most people use modal expressions when making requests. For example: Will you...? Would you...? Would you please...? Could you (please)...? Could you possibly...? Would you kindly...? Would you mind (Ving )...? Would you be so kind as to...? Common Problems with Modals 1. Using "to" unnecessarily: Incorrect They going to meet us at the theater. He should to eat his dinner. I had better to go now. Correct They are going to meet us at the theater. He should eat his dinner. I had better go now. Will you open the door for me? Would you open the door for me? Would you please open the door (for me)? Could you (please)...? Could you (please) open the door? Could you possibly open the door? Would you kindly open the door? Would you mind opening the door? Would you be so kind as to open the door?

You must not to use that pencil. You must not use that pencil. 2. Using anything but the base form after a modal: John could heard the bell. John could hear the bell. Penny will going to the movie. 3. Using double modals: You should ought to speak English. She might can help me. 4. Omitting "be" in certain modal expressions: They going to meet us at the theater. Jack supposed to take his medicine. 5. Using wrong word order in questions: How I can help you? Where I should go for the meeting? Using Simple Tenses and Modals To state facts Present Lions live in Africa. Past Dinosaurs roamed the earth for millions of years. Modal Mr. Jones can juggle. He couldn't swim at age 10. Penny will go to the movie. You ought to speak English. /should speak She might be able to help me. They are going to meet us at the theater. Jack is supposed to take his medicine. How can I help you? Where should I go for the meeting?

Water consists of hydrogen and My grandmother passed away oxygen. last March. To express opinions (I think) smoking is a disgusting That was delicious. habit. The Internet is more useful than the library. I think it was a beautiful concert. To indicate actions which occur every day or on a regular basis I get up at 7:30 every day. My father drives to work on Tuesdays. With frequency adverbs Jerry always comes to class on time. At camp, she usually ate breakfast before 7:00. I thought she gave an excellent performance.

Gambling should be banned in the US. He must really like ice cream. You should have left earlier.

When I was in high school, I got I have to be at the office at 7. up at 6:30. My mother rode the bus until she bought a car. They used to take the subway.

You should never be late for work.

Using Modals in various situations Requesting Can you help me? Could you help me? Asking Permission Can I help you? Could I help you? May I help you? I may need some help. (probably) I might need some help. (probably) Will you help me? Would you help me? I will need some help. (most likely) I would need some help. (I guess I probably can't do it by myself.) Would you mind if I helped you? Possibility Hinting Other

I can use some help. I can help you. I could use some help. I could help you. I may help you. I might help you I will help you. I would help you.

Would you mind helping me?

Past modals come in two forms. The first type is the easiest and usually requires only a simple word change: I can drive. (present ability) I could drive when I was 16. I have to go to California. I had to go to California. Lenny will pay tomorrow. Lenny said he would pay tomorrow. Past modals with have (past ability) (present obligation) (past obligation) (future intention) (future reported from the past)

Some past modals can be formed by using have + the past participle of the main verb immediately after the modal. (should have, could have, would have, etc.) However, since modals express possibility, intention, obligation, etc., they do not always indicate a definite tense. Therefore, when using past modals with have, special meanings need to be considered. I should go to the funeral. I should have gone to the funeral. Lex might take Karen to the airport.
(I feel an obligation to go--later.) (I didn't go. Now I regret it.) (It's a future possibility.)

Lex might have taken Karen to the airport. Lex could have taken Karen to the airport. Lex would have taken Karen to the airport. Otis didn't come to work yesterday. He had to take care of his children. His children must have been sick.

(He may be on his way there now.) (Most likely he didn't.) (He didn't. He had an excuse.) (past fact) (past obligation) (conjecture about the past)

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