Explanation
Modal auxiliary verbs, also known as modal verbs, are a type of auxiliary verb that express modality, which is the speaker’s attitude toward the action or state expressed by the main verb. Modal verbs do not have a meaning of their own, but instead modify the meaning of the main verb in some way.
Here are the most common modal auxiliary verbs in English:
– Can : used to express ability, possibility, or permission
– Could : used to express past ability or possibility, or to make a polite request or suggestion
– May : used to express possibility, permission, or a wish
– Might : used to express past possibility, or to suggest a possibility or doubt
– Must : used to express necessity or obligation
– Shall : used to make a suggestion or offer, or to express future action
– Should : used to give advice, make a suggestion, or express obligation or expectation
– Will : used to express future action or intention
– Would : used to express past habits, make a polite request or suggestion, or express a hypothetical situation
Modal verbs have some distinct grammatical characteristics, including that they are always followed by a base form of the verb (without “to”), they don’t have an -s form in the third person singular, and they are not used with do/does/did in questions and negatives.
Understanding modal auxiliary verbs is essential for mastering English grammar and communication, as they can significantly affect the meaning and tone of a sentence.
STRUCTURE
Example
(+) She must attend the party
(-) She must not attend the party
(?) Must she attend the party?
(+) He shall borrow the paper
(-) He shall not borrow the paper
(?) Shall he borrow the paper?
(+) They should attend the meeting
(-) They should not attend the meeting
(?) Should they attend the meeting?
(+) He will come to our hotel next Sunday
(-) He will not come to our hotel next Sunday
(?) Will he come to our hotel next Sunday?
(+) Your friends would bring their luggage this afternoon
(-) Your friends would not bring their luggage this afternoon
(?) Would your friends bring their luggage this afternoon?
(+) You can take the card to enter the room number 9
(-) You cannot take the card to enter the room number 9
(?) Can you take the card to enter the room number 9?
(+) You could walk and turn right to find the lobby
(-) You could not walk and turn right to find the lobby
(?) Could you walk and turn right to find the lobby?
(+) I may write your name on this paper
(-) I may not write your name on this paper
(?) May I write your name on this paper?