12.7: Modal Auxiliaries
- Page ID
- 20713
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)We all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday life. We do this by using modal auxiliaries to verbs.
Modal Auxiliaries
Modal auxiliaries are a type of helping verb that is used only with a main verb to help express the verb's mood.
The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:
| Subject | + | modal auxiliary | + | main verb |
| James | may | call |
There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English, which are shown in Table 12.7.
| Modal Auxiliary | Use | Modal Auxiliary + Main Verb |
|---|---|---|
| can | Expresses an ability or possibility | I can lift this forty-pound box. (ability) |
| We can embrace green sources of energy. (possibility) | ||
| could | Expresses an ability in the past; a present possibility; a past or future permission | I could beat you at chess when we were kids. (past ability) |
| We could bake a pie! (present possibility) | ||
| Could we pick some flowers from the garden? (future permission) | ||
| may | Expresses uncertain future action; permission; ask a yes-no question | I may attend the concert. (uncertain future action) |
| You may begin the exam. (permission) | ||
| May I attend the concert? (yes-no questions) | ||
| might | Expresses uncertain future action | I might attend the concert (uncertain future action—same as may) |
| shall | Expresses intended future action | I shall go to the opera. (intended future action) |
| should | Expresses obligation; ask if an obligation exists | I should mail my RSVP. (obligation, same as ought to) |
| Should I call my mother? (asking if an obligation exists) | ||
| will | Expresses intended future action; ask a favor; ask for information | I will get an A in this class. (intended future action) |
| Will you buy me some chocolate? (favor) | ||
| Will you be finished soon? (information) | ||
| would | States a preference; request a choice politely; explain an action; introduce habitual past actions | I would like the steak, please. (preference) |
| Would you like to have breakfast in bed? (request a choice politely) | ||
| I would go with you if I didn’t have to babysit tonight. (explain an action) | ||
| He would write to me every week when we were dating. (habitual past action) | ||
| must | Expresses obligation | We must be on time for class. |
| ought to | Expresses obligation | I ought to mail my RSVP. (obligation, same as may) |
Use the following format to form a yes-no (closed) question with a modal auxiliary:
| Modal auxiliary | + | subject | + | main verb |
| Should | I | drive? |
Be aware of these four common errors when using modal auxiliaries:
- Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal
Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table.
Correct: I can move this heavy table.
- Using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal
Incorrect: I could moving to the United States.
Correct: I could move to the United States.
- Using two modals in a row
Incorrect: I should must renew my passport.
Correct: I must renew my passport.
Correct: I should renew my passport.
- Leaving out a modal
Incorrect: I renew my passport.
Correct: I must renew my passport.
Exercise 1
Edit the following short paragraph by correcting the common modal auxiliary errors.
I may to go to France on vacation next summer. I shall might visit the Palace of Versailles. I would to drive around the countryside. I could imagining myself living there; however, I will not move to France because my family should miss me very much.
Modals and Present Perfect Verbs
In the previous section, we defined present perfect verb tense as describing a continuing situation or something that has just happened.
- Incorrect: Jamie would had attended the party, but he was sick.
Correct: Jamie would have attended the party, but he was sick.
- Incorrect: Jamie would attended the party, but he was sick.
Correct: Jamie would have attended the party, but he was sick.
Exercise 2
On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following sentences by changing the given verb form to a modal auxiliary in present perfect tense.
- The man ________ (laugh).
- The frogs ________ (croak).
- My writing teacher ________ (smile).
- The audience ________ (cheer) all night.
- My best friend ________ (giggled).
If you would like a more in-depth view of modal verbs, watch the following video:
Contributors and Attributions
CC LICENSED CONTENT, SHARED PREVIOUSLY:
- Adapted from College ESL Writers: Applied Grammar and Composing Strategies for Success. Authored by: Barbara Hall and Elizabeth Wallace. Provided by: GALILEO Open Learning Materials. License: CC BY-NC-SA (3.0): Attribution.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTENT
- Anglo-Link: Modal Verbs -- English Grammar and Conversation Lession (All Modals). Authored by: Anglo-Link. License: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. License terms: Standard YouTube License.