English Grammar (Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries): Lesson 1-General Rules and Definitions

MODAL VERBS AND MODAL AUXILIARIES

First of all, welcome to our website! I recommend that you take notes so that you can play an active role in your learning process.

This is actually the beginning of the modal verbs or modal auxiliaries series.

At the end of this first lesson, you will be able to understand what modal verbs are in general.

You will also be able to recognise most of them if you see them somewhere else.

REMEMBER: The other names for modal verbs are…

• modals
• modal auxiliaries
• modal auxiliary verbs
• helping verbs (because of the word ‘auxiliary‘)

In the singular form, these become: a modal, a modal auxiliary and a modal auxiliary verb.

As a matter of fact, there are 9 modal verbs in English. These are:

• Must
• Can
• Could (Can +ed)
• May
• Might (Past form of MAY)
• Will
• Would (Will +ed)
• Shall
• Should (Shall +ed)

Examples

When do We Use Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries?

We use modal verbs to express judgement or to adopt a particular point of view towards a certain situation, event or action.

For example, modal verbs can show us if an event is …

• likely to happen or not.
• possible or impossible.
• certain or uncertain.
• compulsory or not.
• necessary or not.
• advisable or not.
• recommended or not.
• forbidden or not.
• allowed or not.

Additionally, we use modal verbs or modal auxiliaries to express the notions of….

• possibility
• obligation
• prohibition
• necessity
• ability
• permission
• willingness

Moreover, we also use modals to make…

• requests
• offers
• decisions
• suggestions

(We will look at specific cases in the forthcoming lessons because of the complexity of the subject. However, below is a grammar chart that gives you a glimpse of what is in store for you.????)

Despite their many different values, it is fairly easy to find some general rules and characteristics that can help you to identify and classify them.

Characteristics of Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries

• They do not take an ‘S’ in the third-person singular form. (E.g. She cans play football.)
• We cannot conjugate them. (E.g We are musting go.)
• They always remain the same no matter the subject. (I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They can…)
• When they are next to another verb, there is never a ‘TO’ in the middle. (I will come tomorrow. You cannot say: I will to come tomorrow.)
• We can use them to form questions and negative sentences just like other auxiliary verbs. (E.g. Can you come with me?/ I can’t come with you. You cannot say: Can do you come tomorrow. You should either use ‘CAN’ or ‘DO’.)

Your Turn: What else can you say about modal verbs or modal auxiliaries? Do you often use them?

Further Exploration:

Download Worksheets:

• English Grammar (Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries): Lesson 1-General Rules and Definitions, Learn English With Africa, January 2021

Read:

• More about Modals from http://modalsinnature.weebly.com/ This is an excellent resource with detailed explanations. Besides, they also have a lot of exercises that you can do for practice. Remember: Practice makes perfect!
• Short Story: Don’t Go There, with Modal Verbs and the Imperative Form, Learn English With Africa, October 2016

Watch: What are Modal Verbs?