Friday, February 13, 2009

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.

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