Showing posts with label Modal verbs 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modal verbs 1. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 December 2014

Modal verbs 1

Modals are special verbs which behave irregularly in English.
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
  • They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
  • They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
  • They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability.
Use of modal verbs:
Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
  1. Permission
  2. Ability
  3. Obligation
  4. Prohibition
  5. Lack of necessity
  6. Advice
  7. possibility
  8. probability
 Here is a list of modals with examples:


Modal VerbExpressingExample
mustStrong obligationYou must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
logical conclusion / CertaintyHe must be very tired. He's been working all day long.
must notprohibitionYou must not smoke in the hospital.
canabilityI can swim.
permissionCan I use your phone please?
possibilitySmoking can cause cancer.
couldability in the pastWhen I was younger I could run fast.
polite permissionExcuse me, could I just say something?
possibilityIt could rain tomorrow!
maypermissionMay I use your phone please?
possibility, probabilityIt may rain tomorrow!
mightpolite permissionMight I suggest an idea?
possibility, probabilityI might go on holiday to Australia next year.
need notlack of necessity/absence of obligationI need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
should/ought to50 % obligationI should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
adviceYou should / ought to revise your lessons
logical conclusionHe should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long.
had betteradviceYou 'd better revise your lessons