english grammar - modals, modal verbs
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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 behaveirregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They are used to indicatemodality. They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a greatvariety of communicative functions.
Use of modal verbs:
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11/28/13 English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs
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Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
1. Permission2. Ability
3. Obligation4. Prohibition5. Lack of necessity6. Advice7. possibility
8. probability
Remember
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to"
Examples:
You must stop when the traffic lights turn redYou should see to the doctorThere 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 Meaning Expressing Example
must
to have to 100 % obligation I must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
to be very probable logical conclusion
(deduction)
He must be very tired after such enormous
work
must not
not to be allowed to prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
can
to be able to ability I can swim
to be allowed to permission Can I use your phone please?
it is possible possibility Smoking can cause cancer !
could
to be able to ability in the past When I was younger I could stay up allnight and not get tired..
to be allowed to more polite
permission
Excuse me, could I just say something?
it is possible possibility It could rain tomorrow!
to be allowed to permission May I use your phone please?
11/28/13 English Grammar - Modals, Modal Verbs
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may it is possible, probable possibility,probability
It may rain tomorrow!
might
to be allowed to more politepermission
Might I use your phone please?
it is possible, probable weak possibility,probability
I might come and visit you in America nextyear, if I can save enough money.
need
necessary necessity Need I say more?
need not
not necessary lack ofnecessity/absence ofobligation
I need not buy any tomatoes. There areplenty in the fridge.
should/oughtto
used to say or ask what is thecorrect or best thing to do
50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have aterrible headache.
to suggest an action or to showthat it is necessary
advice You should / ought to revise your lessons
to be very probable logical conclusion(deduction)
He should / ought to be very tired aftersuch enormous work
had better
to suggest an action or to showthat it is necessary
advice You 'd better revise your lessons
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