Modals

modal verbs

Modal verbs are also known as modals and are used to give additional information about the main verb. Let us learn more about them.

'Modal verbs' (also called modals or modal auxiliary verbs) are special verbs that give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows them. Modals have a wide variety of communicative functions.

Probability
Possibility
Ability
Obligation
Advice
Permission
Prohibition
Lack of necessity
Habits

Modal verbs in English are:

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as 'tense division' for modals, we mean, some of them can be used in past form and present form with the same term.

How to Conjugate Modals with Different Subjects?

The only way to conjugate modal verbs with all persons is the basic form of them; in other words, they never change, we mean the rules of adding s, -ing, or -ed only dedicate to main verbs not modal verbs.

Nikolai must have been here. (Not "Nikolai ~~musted~~ be here.")

I will swim in this pool. (Not "I ~~willing~~ swim in this pool.")

She shall ride at dawn. (Not "She ~~shalls~~ ride at dawn.")

using the modal 'will' in a sentence

Can They Stand Alone?

Actually, modals do not complete the meaning of a sentence. Therefore, they need another verb to make sense. The rule of adding verbs to modals is to add infinitive without -to (also known as bare infinitive or basic form of the verb).

I might walk to my house, if it doesn’t rain.

I might to my house, if doesn't rain makes no logical sense, in this example.

I can drive trucks and it is fun.

She would like to drink a cup of coffee.

You should wash your hands every time you enter the house.

How to Make Negative Sentences with Modals?

In order to make a modal verb negative, all you have to do is to add 'not' to the modal verb.

Alina cannot get out of her room.

If I were you I wouldn't marry Damon.

You must not smoke here, look at the no-smoking sign!

Negation

Sometimes, by contracting negative modal-verbs; we have a change in the main appearance of the verb. Such as:

He won't travel to Italy.

Here in this example, 'won't' is the contracted form of 'will not'.

The modal verb 'can', has two negative forms, one is can not and the other is cannot which is used as a single term in formal writings. Remember we are not allowed to write cann't for contraction; the correct form is can't.

David can't pay the rent.

My sisters can not get along well with each other.

Researchers must do more to ensure that human cells cannot be taken without consent.

However, it is rare to use shan't in informal and daily speaking English, it is the technical contracted form of 'shall not.'

I shan't drink alcohol at all.

How to Make Questions with Modals?

Modals are also used when making questions. In this case, we put the modal verb at the beginning of the sentence. In wh- questions we put the interrogative word at the beginning of the sentence followed by a yes/no question.

What would you do, if you were me?

When will you arrive to the station?

Should I accept his proposal?

Can you wait a little for me?

May I go out?

How Modals Work in Tag Questions?

'Modals' can appear in tag questions as well. They are made without the main verb being expressed (Can he?, Would they?). Generally, when the main sentence is affirmative the following tag question must be negative and vice versa.

He can speak Italian, can't he? (Not "He can speak Italian, ~~can~~ he?")

They wouldn’t follow us, would they?

You cannot be more patient, can you?

I shouldn't call him, should I?

Good to Know!

You must have a comma before tag questions.

You won't never ever leave me, will you?

Jake should start practicing for the big match, shouldn't he?

Modals are very similar to auxiliary verbs, the reason why they are also called modal auxiliary verbs. This table shows the differences and the similarities between them:

	modal verbs	auxiliary verbs
making the tense/voice		✔
can be conjugated		✔
making the inversion/negation	✔	✔
being used more than once		✔

For example:

It will have been made.

'Been' and 'have' are auxiliary verbs. So it is possible to have more than one auxiliary verbs in a sentence.

When there are both auxiliary verbs and modal verbs in a sentence, the modal is used for negation or interrogation. Look:

I will be walking there. → Will you be walking there?

She should not have done that.

Review

Modal verbs precede the main verb to give more information about the function of a verb. These verbs are used to express probability, possibility, ability, obligation, advice, permission, prohibition, lack of necessity, habits by using the following words as modal verbs:

can
could
may
might
must
will
would
shall
should

Semi-modals

Semi-modals are the subcategory of modal verbs. So it is good to learn the difference between modal verbs and semi-modal verbs to use them properly.

Can and Could

Talent shows are a big thing now in our pop culture. If you want to participate in them, you should know how to talk about your abilities. Learn about it here!

May and Might

May and Might are modal verbs. Some people think they are interchangeable, especially in speech, but is there really no differences between these two?

Will and Would

These two modals are often confusing for learners, because they are used in quite similar situations. But they're different.

Shall and Should

'Shall' and 'Should' are like relatives, because 'Should' is the past tense of 'Shall', but they have different functions despite their similarities.

Must and Have to

'Have to' and 'must' have the same meaning and are used to express obligations. However, they are used in different situations and are not interchangeable.

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Modals