Modal auxiliary verbs

WILL SHALL MAY MIGHT WOULD OUGHT TO

What are "modal auxiliary verbs"?

They are verbs which 'help' other verbs to express a meaning: it is important to realise
that "modal verbs" have no meaning by themselves. A modal verb such as would has several
varying functions; it can be used, for example, to help verbs express ideas about the past, the
present and the future. It is therefore wrong to simply believe that "would is the past of will":
it is many other things.

A few basic grammatical rules applying to modal verbs

Modal verbs are NEVER used with other auxiliary verbs such as do, does, did etc. The
negative is formed simply by adding "not" after the verb; questions are formed by
inversion of the verb and subject:

You should not do that.

Could you pick me up when I've finished?

Modal verbs NEVER change form: you can never add an "-s" or "-ed”.

Modal verbs are NEVER followed by to, with the exception of ought to.

Here are a few examples and explanations ( not all) on modal auxiliary verbs

Will

Making personal predictions

Shall

Shall is a form of will, used mostly in the first person

May & Might

May & might sometimes have virtually the same meaning; they are used to talk about
possibilities in the past, present or future. ("Could" is also sometimes used).

May is sometimes a little bit "more sure" (50% chance); whereas might expresses more doubt
(maybe only a 30% chance).

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 Would

As the past of will

Ought to

Ought to usually has the same meaning as should, particularly in affirmative statements in the
present:

You should/ought to get your hair cut.

EXERCISE

1. You seem to be having trouble there. _________ I help you?

Would
Will
Shall

2. I don't have enough money to buy lunch. __________ you lend me a couple of dollars?
May
Could
Shall

3. It's way past my bedtime and I'm really tired. I ________ go to bed.
should
ought
could

4. That bus is usually on time. It _________ to be here any time now.

might
has
ought

5. It's the law. They ____________ have a blood test before they get married.
might
could
have to

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