MODALS || English Grammar Lesson

 

                  MODALS

      MODALS - are those helping verbs which together with the main verbs that follow them, express the 'mode' or manner of the actions denoted by the verb.They express the speaker's attitude towards a situation. 

NOTE: A modal auxillary does not change according to the number or person of the subject.                                  Ex. I can drive, He can drive, They can drive, You can drive, We can drive.               

                       CAN

1• It is used to express ability, temporary or permanent.  It has the meaning of ' be able to', ' know how to'. Ex. He can speak three foreign languages including English.                  2• It express permission 'both to seek permission ' and 'to give permission '.    Ex. You can go now.( you are allowed to go now ).                                                      3• It is also used to show possibilty.          Ex. He is working hard, he can succeed. It is possible for him to succeed. 

4• It is also used to express ' request '.      Ex. Can I have some more water?

                   COULD

1• It is used as the past tense of Can in Indirect Speech.                                            Ex. The boy said that he could solve the question.                                                         2• It is used to express ability in the past. Ex. I could run very fast, when I was young.                                                     3• Could is also used to make a  polite request.                                                           Ex. Could  you tell me the time?                 

                           MAY

1• 'May' like 'Can' is used to  express permission, but it is more formal than 'Can'.                                                                NOTE : Can has a wider use than may for permission, except with the first person, may is not normally used to express the idea of having permission.     Ex. May I borrow your car? = Can I borrow your car?                                          2• May also express possibility.                   Ex. It may rain today.                                  3• To express a wish.                                     Ex. May you live long!                                4• In conditional sentences to point out a possible result.                                           Ex. If he works hard, he may pass.

                     MIGHT

1• It is used as the past tense of 'May' in Indirect Speech.                                             Ex. He asked me if he might borrow my car.                                                                 2• It expresses 'possibility', but in a lesser degree than may.                                Ex. It might rain.                                         3• It is used while asking for   permission. But it (might ) implies   more politeness than may.                          Ex. Might I make a suggestion?

                       WILL   

1• It denotes future, when used with the second or third person.                               First person - I, We                                       Second person - You                                     Third person- He, She, They, Them etc.     Ex. You will get good Marks.                     2• In the sense of a request.                          Ex. Will you please help me.                   NOTE : With the first person will denotes promise, determination, intention.▪︎I will always stand by you ( promise ). ▪︎We will fight to the finish. (determination).  ▪︎I will not tell a lie ( Intention ).                                                

3• Express habit.                                             Ex. Some girls will always come late.    4• Expresses Invitation.                                Ex. Will you dine with me tonight.          5• Express universal truth.                           Ex. Oil will float on water.

                       SHALL

1• It is used to express the future, when the subject is 'I' or 'We'.                                 Ex. We shall leave for Jaipur tonight.      2• with the second and third person Shall denotes warning, threat, command, promise etc.                               Ex. You shall not tell a lie.( command ) 3• In the sense of a request.                          Ex. Shall I take this pen?                        4•Express offer of service or suggestion.                                                 Ex. Shall I read it to you? ( offer of service  ).

                      WOULD

1• Would is used as the past tense of will in Indirect Speech.                                  Ex. He said that he would look into the matter.                                                           2• Would with rather is used to express a wish.                                                              Ex. I would rather have a glass of water than coffee or tea.                             3 • Used with wish.                                           Ex. I wish it would stop raining.           NOTE: Will is never used with wish.

                      SHOULD

1• It is used as the past tense of 'Shall' in Indirect Speech.                                              Ex. Direct: I said to you, "I shall go to Jaipur in March".                                          Indirect: I told you that I should go to Jaipur in March.                                            2• It denotes duty.                                             Ex. People should not tell lies.                3• It express desire with the first person.                                                         Ex. I should like to leave early.       

                       MUST

1• Must is used to express obligation, compulsion and advice.                              Ex. We must work hard. ( advice )                We must pay our taxes. ( obligation )  You must come to school. ( compulsion)  2• It expresses strong likelihood.                Ex. What you say must be true.              3• It expresses strong determination.        Ex. I must join an engineering college. 

                    OUGHT TO 

1• It is used to denote duty or moral or social obligation.  It is used nearly in the same sense as 'Should'. The verb that follows ' Ought' always takes the 'to' form.                                              Ex.You ought to finish your work in time.

                          NEED

1• Need is used in the sense of 'require' or 'want'. It is commonly used with 'not' in statements.  'Need not' express the idea, that there is no compulsion.              Ex. You needn't leave today. ( no obligation or compulsion ).                         2• Need does not have a past tense form, but as a full verb, it takes a past tense form.                                                       Ex. I needed five hundred rupees as expenses during the tour.

NOTE:

I hope that this article would be a great help. If any doubts you can reach me through the comment section box and I will Get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks