A modal verb is an auxiliary word or expression that expresses ability, opportunity, resolution or commitment. It should be used in a special phrase. A verb phrase is a few verbs used together to express an action.
What are the main modal verbs?
There are about 17 different modal combinations. All of them have several meanings and can sometimes confuse people studying English. Here are the 9 most commonly used modal verbs in modern English: must, might, may, can, could, should, will, would, to be to.
These words are auxiliary and provide additional information about the verb that follows them.
They are used to express ability, commitment, resolution, assumption, likelihood and opportunity, requests, suggestions and recommendations. Each modal verb can have several meanings, which depend on the context.
You can go now (= permission).
You can play the guitar (= ability).
Structure of use
The modal verb is accompanied by another in the basic form - the infinitive without the to particle, and they do not conjugate, that is, the letter s in the third person is not added.
Subject + modal verb + verb (basic form of infinitive).
Examples:
- I can play the banjo (Not: I can to play the banjo).
- He can speak Spanish (Not: He can speaks Spanish).
- She can speak Spanish (Not: She cans speak Spanish).
Modal Verbs in Negative Sentences
The scheme for constructing a phrase in negative sentences is as follows:
Subject + modal verb + not + verb in the form of an infinitive.
Examples:
- You must not stay here. (= You mustn't stay here).
- He cannot deny himself. (= He can't deny himself).
- We should not waste water. (= We shouldn't waste water).
As can be seen from the above examples, the reduction of the modal verb + particle not, as a rule, is possible.
Modal verbs in interrogative sentences
The scheme for constructing a phrase in interrogative sentences is as follows:
Modal verb + subject + verb in the form of an infinitive.
Example:
- May I help you?
- Can I have another piece of cake please?
- Would you like to come with us?
Features of the modal verb to be
The peculiarity of this verb is that it can have either the meaning of the future, or the meaning of a commitment, or something in between - an assumption. A modal verb to be construction is needed as an aid. It is close in meaning to must, should and ought to.
In the first and third person, the modal verb to be is used in the form of the future tense. For example: I am to work in London next year (I am going to work in London next year). But this rule is not always true. For example, in the sentence The rain was to leave at 8, the modal verb to be is used in the form of the past tense in the sense of an assumption.
In the second person, it is most often used in the meaning of commitment. For example: You're to get better marks next time (= You must to get better marks next time).
How to combine modal designs with may and might
The modal verbs may and might, as a rule, are equal, they mean practically the same thing and can be used in a number of cases.
In order to express the opportunity.
When there is a chance that something can happen, or there is a likelihood of something.
Note: might be more suitable for colloquial use than may.
Don't walk too long, it might rain later (there is a chance that it will rain later).
You could also say: It may rain later.
To ask permission.
Note: may sounds more polite than using can or could when asking for permission.
- May I have some tea please?
- May I have a word please?
- May I use your pencil for a minute?
It is better to use “please” in the interrogative sentence to make it more polite.
Note: in theory, the modal verb might also be used to request permission, but it sounds very formal and is rarely used.
In order to allow or, conversely, not to allow anything.
Might is not used as permission.
- You may leave if you want.
- You may take this book if you like.
- You may not purchased this app. (Not allowed)
To describe typical events.
The modal verb may is used in the academic (scientific) language to denote things that usually occur in certain situations.
- Children may have trouble with finding new friends if they have learning and attention issues.
In order to suggest a possible action in the past.
In this case, the structure may + have + past participle is used.
- Your comment may have offended some people.
- Mike is not here. He might have gone to the market.
- What was that noise outside? I think it may have been a cat.
In all these examples, situations were possible, but there is no certainty.
May is used to express a wish.
- May you both live a long and happy life together.
- May the New Year bring you love and happiness.
- May all your wishes come true.
- May the Force be with you.
Learning how to choose and use modal verbs in your speech depending on the context is possible only by constantly practicing. It is necessary to try to use every category of modal verbs in speech at least once, both in the past and in the present tense. For a change, one has to practice negative sentences as well.