6.1.1: Modals
- Page ID
- 270039
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Modal Auxiliaries
Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that are used only with a main verb to help express mood.
The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:
Subject + modal auxiliary + main verb
James may call.
The table lists nine main modal auxiliaries used in English.
Table of Modal Auxiliaries
| 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) |
|
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 question with a modal auxiliary:
Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb
Should I drive?
Common Errors
Be aware of these four common errors when using modal auxiliaries:
- Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal
a. Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table.
b. Correct: I can move this heavy table. - Using a gerund instead of a base verb after a modal
a. Incorrect: I could moving to the United States.
b. Correct: I could move to the United States. - Using two modals in a row
a. Incorrect: I should must renew my passport.
b. Correct: I must renew my passport.
c. Correct: I should renew my passport. - Leaving out a modal
a. Incorrect: I renew my passport.
b. Correct: I must renew my passport.
Edit the following paragraph by correcting the common modal auxiliary errors:
I may to go to France on vacation next summer. I can might visit the Palace of Versailles. I will to drive around the countryside. I could imagining myself
living there. However, I will not moved to France because my family should miss me very much.
