express different meanings such as permission, possibility, ability, necessity, certainty, obligation, etc.
There are : Can-Could, May-Might, Will-Would, and Shall-Should.
And four : Must, Ought (to), Need, and Dare. You will see that they are not used to talk about things that definitely exist, or events that definitely happened. These meanings are sometimes divided into two groups: certainty; probability; possibility; impossibility
2. permission, lack of permission; ability; obligation.
The formula of Modals Auxiliary (+) S + MODALS + V1 Ex : Amanda speak mandarin fluently We go to the beach
() S + MODALS NOT + V1 Ex : Amanda speak mandarin fluently We go to the beach.
(?) MODALS + S + V1 Ex : Amanda speak mandarin fluently? we go to the beach? All the modals mentioned above remain unchanged in form irrespective of the person of the subject. Example: I/We Can, He/She/They Can, You Can 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. Ought is always followed by infinitive with to Example: You ought to respect your elders, They ought to fight for their right Need and Dare are used without to in most cases such as: You need not worry How dare you come in without permission?
But Need and Dare use to infinitive if the sentence is made by helping verb do. Example: You do not need to ask my permission You does not dare to challenge me.
In conversation or spoken form these modals are mostly shortened or have a contracted form. Example: I cant/ You Mustnt, He/She/They Wont (will not) ,etc Express ability He can speak Spanish but he can't write it very well.
Expression permission Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting room?
Express theoretical possibility: American automobile makers can make better cars if they think there's a profit in it. Express an ability in the past: I could always beat you at tennis when we were kids. Express past or future permission: Could I bury my cat in your back yard? Express present possibility: We could always spend the afternoon just sitting around talking. Express possibility or ability in contingent circumstances: If he studied harder, he could pass this course.
In certain contexts, will and would are virtually interchangeable, but there are differences. Notice that the contracted form 'll is very frequently used for will. To express willingness: Ill lend you my pen. We're going to the movies. Will you join us?
Express intention I'll do my exercises later on.
Express prediction: specific: The meeting will be over soon. timeless: Humidity will ruin my hairdo. habitual: The river will overflow its banks every spring. Express willingness: Would you please take off your hat?
Express insistence (rather rare, and with a strong stress on the word "would"): Now you've ruined everything. You would act that way.
characteristic activity: customary: After work, he would walk to his home in West Hartford. typical (casual): She would cause the whole family to be late, every time.
Express a sense of probability: I hear a whistle. That would be the five o'clock train. May: Refers to permission in a formal setting, as well as possibility. EX: May I help you? EX: The road may be blocked.
Might: Indicates possibility. EX: It might be too late for dinner.
Shall show intention. It can also indicate willingness, and command EX: We shall win the war! EX: Shall I accompany you to dinner? EX: You Shall report at noon
Should: indicates logical necessity. This is a logical conclusion reached through common sense. It is not, however, an obligation. EX: You should sleep eight hours a night. EX: We should the committee
Shows obligation. EX: You must eat to live, We must obey the laws of the country, You must not make a noise in the class.
show Strong advice and invitations EX: You must go and see the film - it's brilliant
show Certainty EX: You must be hungry after your long walk
Ought on the other hand, is used to expresses a moral obligation, desirability and duties
EX: I ought to visit my sister tomorrow. EX: Everybody ought to love his country. EX: We ought to love our neighbours
The anomalous finite need is not used in the affirmative. It is used only in the negative and interrogative. It forms its Third Person Singular, Present Tense, without s, and takes as its Object an Infinitive without to;
EX: He need not copy out the whole page She need not come here tomorrow He need not worry at all about us She need not write all of them,but she must write the last two Need he work so hard He needn't work so hard, Need she apologize to him?
The verb dare (=venture,have courage) has the form dare for the Third Person Singular, Present Tense, when it is followed by a Negative
EX: he dare not take such a foolish step He dare not oppose us He dare not punish the child He dare not ask her again,dare he? No, he dare not She dare not go out alone on a dark night. 1. He is over eighty but ________ still read without glasses a. Dare b. Can c. Shall d.Must
2. _________ he understand what you were talking about? a. Could b. Would c. Should d. Can
3. The doctor __________get here as soon as he can. a. Can b. Ought c. Must d. May
4. We want to play tennis. I wish it _________ stop raining. a. Would b. May c. Might d. Must
5. You _________to help your poor friends. a. Can b. Should c. Shall d. Ought
6. She ______play the piano when she was five. a. Can b.Will c. Would d. Could
7. How _______ you ride a cycle without brakes? a. Need b. Can c. Could d Dare