Modal Auxiliaries

A. WHAT ARE MODAL AUXILIARIES? Modal auxiliaries are verbs that express many kinds of meaning. Each modal auxiliary often expresses more than one meaning and have characteristic : 1. Modal do not take a final -s, even when the subject is he, she, or it. 2. Modals are followed immediately by simple form of verb.

B. THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES The verb in the list below are modal auxiliaries. They are helping verbs that express a wide range of meanings (ability, permission, possibility, necessity, etc.). Most of the modals have more than one meaning. AUXILIARY + THE SIMPLE FORM OF A Can, could may, might, should, VERB had better, must, will, and would are followed by the simple form of a Can Could May Might Should Had better Must Will Would I can speak English. He couldnt come to class. It may rain tomorrow. It might rain tomorrow. Mary should study harder. I had better study tonight. Joe must see a doctor today. I will be in class tomorrow. Would you please close the door? The main verb never has a final -s. CORRECT: Olga can speak English. INCORRECT: English Olga can speaks They are not followed by to: CORRECT: I can speak English. INCORRECT: English. I can to speak verb.

AUXILIARY + TO + THE SIMPLE FORM OR Have, have got, and ought are A VERB Have to Have got to Ought to I have to study tonight. I have got to study tonight. Kate ought to study harder. followed by an infinitive (to + the simple form of a verb).

C. THE KINDS OF MODAL :

1. Can

a. Expressing an Ability - I can do the test. - Bob can play the piano. - You can buy a screwdriver at a hardware store. b. Expressing a Possibility - He can be in the class now. - She can be a doctor - Dont get too close the dog. It can bite you. c. Expressing a Permission - You can leave me now - You can go home now - You can read the book here d. Expressing a Request - Can I leave now? - Can you help me? - Can I borrow your book? (Informal polite request) e. Similar expressions to can is be able to

2. Could

a. Expressing a Permission - Could I borrow your pen, please? b. Expressing a Informal polite request - Could you pick me up at seven oclock? c. Expressing a Possibility - He could be here anytime d. Similar expressions to Could is be able to

3. Will

a. For to show futurity - He will be come here tomorrow - I will go abroad next year. b. Expressing a timeless truth - Oil will float on water - She will most of his money to her son - Where there is a will, there is a way c. Expressing a certainty or confidence about present or future situations - They will be home by this time - I will go to England next week d. Expressing a volition - I will help you - I will drop by whenever I have time - I will give you one of these pills e. Similar expressions to will is be going to

4. Would

a. Expressing a request - Would you mind closing the window? - Would you mind helping me? - Would you give me time to prepare my self? b. To show past habits - When she was a girl, her mother would tell her stories - When she was child, her mother would bought her dolls c. Similar expressions to would is be going to

5. Shall a. Expressing a promise, futurity, request, duty or threat - I shall do in spite the danger - I shall ask him to teach me to swim - I shall go to Hawai tomorrow - Every citizen shall pay the tax - You shall be punished if you do it again - I shall meet her tomorrow b. Similar expressions to shall is be going to

6. Should a. Expressing an advisability - We should do something now. b. Expressing a Future Certainty - They should be there tomorrow. c. Expressing a advice You should