what are modals

Dear student,

Verbs like can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must and ought are modals. They are used to denote possibility, certainty, probability etc.  For example:

Here are a few explanations with examples to explain the concept of Modals:

CAN :

Can usually expresses ability, capacity or permission.

• Can you get me a medicine?

• He can work for hours at a stretch;

• I can swim in a river.

MAY :

May is rather formal. It is used to express possibility in affirmative sentences. Can is used in the corresponding interrogative and negative sentences.

• It may rain today;

• She may come for the party;

• Can this be true?

• It cannot be false!

COULD AND MIGHT :

Could and Might are used as past equivalents of can and may . In present times, couldand mightare used as less positive versions of canand may.

• I could easily solve the puzzle;

• The host might not turn up at all;

• Could you pass me the salt?

• You could have accepted the offer.

• You might want to give an explanation.

SHALL :

Shall is used in the first person, although it is sometimes used in the second and third persons to express a command, a promise or a threat.

• When shall we see you again?

• It shall be a holiday tomorrow;

• You shall be punished for this.

• He shall never en ter my house ever again.

WILL :

Will is used in all the persons to express pure future. Today, people have the tendency to use will more than shall .

• I am not lying, you will see;

• We will go for a picnic tomorrow.

Will is used to express volition, characteristic habit, assumption or probability.

SHOULD / WOULD :

They are used as past equivalents of shall and will .

Should is used in all persons to express duty or obligation.

• We should obey traffic rules;

• You should have kept your word.

Should is used to express a supposition that may not be true.

• If it should rain, they will not come;

• If he should see me here, he would be irritated.

Regards