MODAL VERBS

	Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are words that add special meaning, like possibility, necessity, permission, and so on, to the main verbs that follow them. Modals include can, could, will, would, shall, should, ought to, must, have to, may, and might. Modals have two forms: present and past, but the form of the modal does not necessarily express time in the sentence. Modals are always used with the simple form of the verb. Gerry might go to the hospital. (present or future) Andrew should take his medicine now. (present) You can/could see the doctor tomorrow. (future) To make a sentence negative, add not to the modal. Most modals + not can be contracted. Modal Negative Form Contraction can cannot can't could could not couldn't shall shall not - should should not shouldn't must must not mustn't may may not -------- might might not -------- will will not won't would would not wouldn't For example: I am sick. I shouldn't go out tonight. The doctor ordered me to stay home. I mustn't go out. In questions, the modal form is written as follows: modal + subject + verb1 Will you drive to the beach? Should I take Highway 17? In giving short answers to yes/no questions, the modal form is written as follows: yes or no + subject + modal. Will Gerry go with you? Yes, he will. No, he won't. Now that you have learned the important forms of the modals, let us study their meanings and usage.
CAN
Can expresses ability and possibility. He can swim well. (ability) I can't solve the math problem. (inability) We can meet at the cafe at two. (possibility)
COULD
Could expresses ability and possibility. We could leave now. (possibility) I couldn't go to school yesterday. (inability) I could speak Japanese when I was a child. (ability)
MAY / MIGHT
May and might express possibility. They have the same meaning. She may go to Greece. She might be sick.
SHOULD / OUGHT TO
Should and ought to express the idea that the action in the main verb is good advice or a good idea. You should stop smoking. You ought to stop smoking.
MUST / HAVE TO
Must and have to express the idea of certainty or necessity (no choice). Students must come to class on time. I have to work tonight. Had to expresses necessity in the past. It is the past, time form of both must and have to. I had to work yesterday. Back