I '7i~ C:::::)

Modols are those helping verbs wh·1ch express the mode □ Will, when used with First Person (I, We) shows
or attitude of the main verb. ~
f Promise, Certainty, Determination etc.
some promin ent Modats are : ~~
For example :
• Shall • Should • Will (a) I will give you all my support. (Promise)
• Would • Can • Could (b) We will not surrender at any cost.
• May • Might • Need (Determination)
• Dare • Ought to • Used to D Will can be used to make requests.
• Must • Has to • Have to For example :
• Had to

CHARACTER18TIC8 OF MODAL8
(a) Will you make me a cup of tea?
(b) Will you please open the windows?
•
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L They express ability, power, permission, request, C. SHOULD

possibility or willingness etc. Should is used to express :
t They are always used with a main verb. o Obligation or moral duty :
t Modals are not affected by the numbe r or gender We should follow traffic rules.
etc. of the subject. □ Advice or recommendation :
You should go by air.
J8E9 OF MODAL8
□ is used after conjunction lest, to express
t 8HALt purpose:
l When used with first person (I, We), shall Walk carefully, lest you should fall.
expresses future. □ to express Supposition :
~o, example : Should you meet him, tell him to call me.
a) I shall apply for this post. o to express Probability:
b) We shall visit Vrindavan someti me next month. He should be at the airport by now.
l Shall can be used with second and third persons D. WOULD
(you, she, he, they etc.) to denote Command, Would is the past form of Will. It is used to express :
Promise, Threat, Determination or Certainty etc. □ Future Tense in Past in the Indirect Speech :
The Princip al said that he would award
·or example :
{Command) scholarship to the topper.
3) You shall not come here again.
□ Past Habit or Customary action :
)} You shall get a prize if you get good marks.
(Promise) In winter, he would study late at night.
□ Polite Request :
:) He shall be punish ed for his misbehaviour.
(Threat) Would you please, open the window?
Would you lend me your book, please?
1 Shall is used to seek permission, also.
□ Unreal Condition :
or example: Would that I were young again!
Shalt I use this pen?
E.CAN
. WILL
□ Can is used to denot~ ability , permission,
Will is used with second and thi rd persons (you,
possibility etc.
she, he, they etc.) to denote Simple Future.
(a) My younger brothe r can drive a car. (Ability)
or example: (b) You can sit in my lawn. (Permission)
t} My father will leave for England tomorr ow. (Possibility)
(c) He can come any time.
>) They will play a match in the evening.
 K. NEED
F. COULD ress · Need is used to express :
Could is the past form of Can. It is used to exp •
0 Necessity or Obligation :
□ Ability in the past: (a) Need I remind you of it again?
I could swim when I was five.
(b) You need not stay here any more.
□ Polite Request : ?
• Could you lend me some money for two days. L. DARE
Dare means to venture.
G. MAY
0 It is used in negative and interrogative forms:
, May is used to express :
□ Permission : (a) He dares not oppose me.
May I come in, Madam? (b) How dare you say so?
□ Possibility: (c) How dare you enter my room?
My friend may come today. M. U9ED TO
I O Purpose: 0 Used to indicates the habit or habitual action
• we eat so that we may live. of the past:
o Wish or prayer : (a) My uncle used to go for a walk when he was
(a) May you live long!
alive.
(b) May God bless you with a son!
(b) we used to live in Kolkata.
H. MIGHT (c) He used to observe fast on every Monday.
Might is the past form of May. Position of Modal Verbs :
Might is used to express :
Modal verbs always appear in the first position at the
□ Purpose, in past tense :
beginning of the verb phrase in English. Unlike other
He ran fast so that he might catch the bus.
verbs, modal verbs do not show tense or number,
□ Remote possibility :
Some important verb-phrase combinations that
The sky is clear, but it might rain.
contain modal verbs in English are :
□ Possibility or Permission in past tense :
□ modal verb + base form = will eat
The tortoise said that he might win the race.
□ modal verb + be + present participle = will be
I. MU8T
eating
Must is used to express :
□ Necessity or Obligation :
o modal verb + have + past participle = will have
eaten
(a) You must run fast to catch the train.
(b) You must do as you are told. o modal verb + be + past participle = will be eaten
□ Compulsion : o modal verb + have + been + present ·participle=
(a) A policeman must wear his uniform while on duty. will have been eating
(b) You must reach home at once. o modal verb + have + been + past participle = will
□ Emphatic Advice : have been eaten
You must consult some good doctor. See how some of the important Modals can be used:
□ Prohibition :
O can ...,. ability, permission, possibility, request
You must not go without permission.
□ could - ability, permission, possibility, request,
J. OUGHT TO suggestion
Ought to is used to express : □ may - permission, probability, request
□ Moral Duty or Social Bindings : O might - possibility, probability, suggestion
(a) We ought to respect our elders.
□ must- deduction, necessity, obligation, prohib•1t1·on •
(b) Society ought to look after the handicapped.
O shall - decision, future, offer, question,
□ Advice: suggestion
The patient's condition is worsening. You ought
to take him to a doctor. □ should - advice, necessity, predictidp,
recommendation ,.i
'
 □ will -decision, future, intention, offer, prediction, o Could I go to the bathroom?
promise, suggestion (asking for permission with less certainty)
□ would - conditional, habit, invitation, permission, o Might I go to the bathroom?
preference, request, question, suggestion (asking for permission with uncertainty)
□ Examples of Use The following sentences also demonstrate the subtle
lihe following sentences are examples of usage meanings in regards to modal verbs of suggestion :
of modal verbs in English. For example, the o You could listen to me. (possibility)
following four sentences all ask for permission but o You might listen to me. (lesser possibility)
with different degrees and types of modality : □ You should listen to me. (advice)
o Can I go to the bathroom? D You must Usten to me. (stronger advice)
(asking for permission) D You will listen to me. (command)
□ May I go to the bathroom? Note : The meanings of modal verbs are very
(more politely asking for permission) pragmatic and must be learned through use.

Modal Verb Example Uses

Can They can control their own budgets. Ability/Possibility

We can't fix it. Inability/Impossibility
Can I sit here? Asking for permission
Can you help me? Request
Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Asking for permission
Could you say that again more slowly? Request
We could try to fix it ourselves. Suggestion
I think we could go to the beach again. Future possibility
He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Ability in the past
May May I have another cup of coffee? Asking for permission
India may become a major economic power. Future possibility
Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might
be eating their dinner now. Present possibility
You never know, they might give us a 10% discount. Future possibility
~ Necessity/Obligation
Must We must say good-bye now.
They mustn't disrupt the work more than necessary. Prohibition
Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying what's right or correct
Shall Shall I help you with your luggage? Offer
Shall we say 2.30 then? Suggestion
Shall I do that or will you? Asking what to do
We should sort out this problem at once. Saying what's right or correct
Should
I think we should check everything again. Recommending action
You should check your posture when using
the computer. Giving advice
Profits should increase next year. Uncertain prediction
I can't see any taxis so I'll walk. Instant decisions
Will
I'll do that for you if you like. Offer
I'll get back to you on Monday. Promise
Profits will increase next year. Certain prediction
Would Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Asking for permission
Would you pass the salt please? Making a Request
Would you mind waiting a moment? Making a Request
"Would three o'clock suit you?" - "That'd be fine." Making arrangements
Would you like to play golf this Friday? Invitation
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I'd like tea please." Stating Preferences