RAHMATUNNISA/DIII TNU IX B

MODAL VERBS
DEFINITION
Modals are special verbs which behave
very irregularly in English. In
English grammar, amodalis averbthat
combines with another verb to indicate
moodortense. A modal (also known as
amodal auxiliaryormodal verb) expresses
necessity, uncertainty, willingness, ability,
or permission.
 Should suggestion, advice
Can possibility
- ability
- permission
Could past possibility, ability, permission
- present conditional ( politeness)
May possibility
- permission
Might possibility (higher degree of doubt)
- polite suggestion
Form:
S + Modals + V1(+) ex :They can control their own budgets
Modals + S + V1(?) ex :Can you help me?
S + Modals + not(-) ex :They must not disrupt the work more than
necessary
fyi:whenever there is averbafterthe subjectdo notapply tobe (are, am,
is, was, were)

Modals follows with Noun , Adverb , Adjective

S + Modals + be + (noun/adv/adj)(+) ex :It ought to be good
Modals + S + be + (noun/adv/adj)(?) ex : Will rani be a police woman ?
S + Modals + not + (nount/adv/adj)(-) ex :You must not be here

active and passive Modals

active:
S + Modals + v1 + Ocontoh : he can buy the computer
passive:
S + Modals + be + V3 + Ocontoh : the computer can be bought by him
FUNCTIONS OF MODAL VERB

Logical Possibility
This use of modals hedges, or
weakens, the certaintyof a
sentence. The stronger the
modal, the stronger the
possibility. Must is so strong
that it is almost forcing
something to happen.
Modals Examples
She always wear those
clothes who same
must color must mean she
very like that color.
The sandstorm will
will
come tonight.
He would be free
would
tonight.
 Enfry should be
should sleeping now.
He may work out
and consume
may
healthy food
every day.

can
He can be go
 Changing these
could settings could
produce more
favorable results.
You might forget
the embarassing
might
accident
tomorrow.
 Ability
This use shows ability,
which is binary, rather than
possibility, which falls on
aspectrum.
 You can buy
can anything with your
money but you can
not buy love.
I didnt help her
because she said
could
she could do it by
herself.
 Necessity
This use gives advice or
makes a recommendation.
Modals Examples
We must go to
must
bed now.
You should
should change your mind
about this case.
 Permission
This use asks or gives permission in
the form of a question. It almost
never appears in published
academic writing, but frequently
apppears in academic
correspondence such as e-mails,
proposals, or revisions, the
strongest modal in this use, may, is
the most polite and indirect,
whereas can is the more direct and
slightly impolite.
 May I go home
may
now?

Could I use your

could computer to print
and scan?
Can I borrow your
can
car for one night?