11/28/13

English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

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Modal Verbs And Their Meaning

What are modal verbs?
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries ) are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They are used to indicate modality. They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Use of modal verbs:

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English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Permission Ability Obligation Prohibition Lack of necessity Advice possibility probability

Remember
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to" Examples: You must stop when the traffic lights turn red You should see to the doctor There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any. Exception: You ought to go to the doctor

A list of modals
Here is a list of modals: Modal Verb to have to must to be very probable not to be allowed to must not to be able to can to be allowed to it is possible to be able to could to be allowed to it is possible to be allowed to ability permission possibility ability in the past more polite permission possibility permission I can swim Can I use your phone please? Smoking can cause cancer ! When I was younger I could stay up all night and not get tired.. Excuse me, could I just say something? It could rain tomorrow! May I use your phone please?
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Meaning

Expressing 100 % obligation logical conclusion (deduction) prohibition

Example I must stop when the traffic lights turn red. He must be very tired after such enormous work You must not smoke in the hospital.

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11/28/13

English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

may

it is possible, probable to be allowed to

possibility, probability more polite permission weak possibility, probability necessity

It may rain tomorrow! Might I use your phone please? I might come and visit you in America next year, if I can save enough money. Need I say more?

might

it is possible, probable necessary

need not necessary need not used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do lack of I need not buy any tomatoes. There are necessity/absence of plenty in the fridge. obligation 50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache. You should / ought to revise your lessons He should / ought to be very tired after such enormous work You 'd better revise your lessons

should/ought to suggest an action or to show advice to that it is necessary to be very probable logical conclusion (deduction)

had better

to suggest an action or to show advice that it is necessary

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English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

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English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

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English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs

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