Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

1. What are modal verbs?

   • Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that cannot function as a main verb , unlike the auxiliary verbs "be" , "do" and "have" that can function as a main verb.

2. Modal verbs are:

   • Can
     • Structure
       • Interrogative
         • Can + subject + verb always in infinitive +?
       • Negative
         • Subject + cannot (can't) + main verb in infinitive always.
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + can + verb always in infinitive.
     • Function
       • Its meaning will depend on what you want to say. You can use it to express some possibility or request, or to say that you are qualified or qualified for something.
     • Examples
       • Affirmative
         • She can study now.
       • Negative
         • They cannot (can't) work.
       • Interrogative
         • Can you open the door?
   • May
     • Structure
       • Negative
         • Subject + "may" + "not" + verb (no, "Mayn't" does not exist).
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + "may" + verb.
       • Interrogative
         • "May" + subject + verb +?
     • Function
       • It is a variation of the verb “can”, but it is a more formal modal verb. If you want to ask permission, this is a good way. With it you can count or establish a possibility.
     • Examples
       • Affirmative
         • He may go to the party.
       • Negative
         • I may not remember the date.
       • Interrogative
         • May you take this to Mr Smith?
   • Will
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + will + infinitive verb without "to" + ...
       • Negative
         • Subject + will + not + verb in the infinitive without "to" + ...
       • Interrogative
         • Will + subject + verb in the infinitive without "to" + ...?
     • Function
       • This is a verb that talks about the future. Prediction, question or concern, establishes that it is possible or already feasible that something will happen later.
     • Examples
       • Negative
         • I will not work.
       • Interrogative
         • will I work ...?
       • Affirmative
         • I will work.
   • Shall
     • Function
       • This is a not very common verb because it is formal. Its meaning is like that of the verb "will", it expresses something in relation to what can happen.
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + shall + infinitive verb without "to" + ...
       • Interrogative
         • Shall + subject + infinitive verb without "to" + ...?
       • Negative
         • Subject + shall + not + verb in infinitive without "to" + ...
     • Examples
       • Interrogative
         • Shall I work ...?
       • Affirmative
         • I shall work.
       • Negative
         • I shall not work.
   • Might
     • Examples
       • Affirmative
         • I might go out tonight.
       • Negative
         • She might not go to work today.
       • Interrogative
         • Do you think she might come over tonight?
     • Structure
       • Negative
         • subject + might + not + verb without to + .
       • Affirmative
         • subject + might + verb without to + ...
       • Interrogative
         • Do you think + subject + might + verb without to + ..
     • Function
       • For suggestions or possibilities, this verb expresses it clearly. Its use depends on the context, being much more flexible than "may".
   • Must
     • Examples
       • Affirmative
         • I must do.
       • Negative
         • I must not do.
       • Interrogative
         • Must I do?
     • Function
       • Express need or forceful suggestion. In addition, it implies that you can come to suppose about something.
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + must + "main verb in infinitive" .
       • Negative
         • Subject + must + not (mustn't) + infinitive verb.
       • Interrogative
         • Must + subject + verb in infinitive +?
   • Ought to
     • Examples
       • Negative
         • She ought not come.
       • Interrogative
         • Ought I to come (Should I come?).
       • Affirmative
         • She ought to come.
     • Function
       • It is not very often that you come across this verb. However, its meaning is similar to that of "should".
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • SUBJECT + OUGHT TO + INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO
       • Negative
         • SUBJECT + OUGHT NOT (TO) + INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO
       • Interrogative
         • OUGHT + SUBJECT + TO + INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO
   • Could
     • Examples
       • Interrogative
         • Could Luis play the guitar when he was Young?
       • Negative
         • Luis couldn´t play the guitar when he was young.
       • Affirmative
         • Luis could play the guitar when he was young.
     • Function
       • This modal verb is the past form of “can”. Its meaning is the same, but the verb tense expresses something that has already happened, or is also used to provide alternatives.
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • Pronoun / Subject + Could + Base Form of Principal Verb + Complement.
       • Negative
         • Pronoun / Subject + Couldn´t + Base Form of Principal Verb + Complement.
       • Interrogative
         • Could + Pronoun / Subject + Base Form of Principal Verb + Complement.
   • Should
     • Structure
       • Negative
         • Subject + should + not + verb in the infinitive without "to" + ...
       • Interrogative
         • Should + subject + verb in the infinitive without "to" + ...?
       • Affirmative
         • Subject + should + infinitive verb without "to" + ...
     • Function
       • It is used more when giving advice , making or asking for suggestions, opinions and actions, or to generate a certain level of expectation for something in the future.
     • Examples
       • Negative
         • I should not work.
       • Affirmative
         • I should work.
       • Interrogative
         • Should I work ...?
   • Would
     • Function
       • Talk about habits that you did before. It can also be used in the future tense if your intention is to show that you are willing to do something or establish conditions.
     • Examples
       • Interrogative
         • Would I work ...?
       • Negative
         • I would not work.
       • Affirmative
         • I would work.
     • Structure
       • Affirmative
         • Would + verb in the infinitive without "to" .
       • Negative
         • Subject + would + not + verb in infinitive without "to" + ...
       • Interrogative
         • Would + subject + verb in the infinitive without "to" + ...?

3. What do modal verbs express?

   • Modal verbs express modality, ability, possibility, need, or other condition . We use them for the future and the conditional.