Modal Auxiliaries are given below:
can, could, should, shall,would, will, may, need, might, must, dare, used (to) ought (to)
Modal Auxiliaries are those helping verbs which help to express the mode marner in which the action is done.
The Modals are different from other Auxiliaries “have”, “be”, and “do” in three ways:
They do not have – s forms, ing forms, -ed forms or -en forms: do – does, dm have – having – had; be, being, been. But not may – mayed or maying.
Modals take only the base form of Principal Verbs after them:
- I can do the work alone.
- He may not come here today.
- You must abide by the rules.
Modals modify the meaning of the Main Verbs:
Does he play hockey?
(“Does” not to modify the main verb “play”, but to form a mere question) (But) He can play football. (“can” modifies the main verb “play” expressing ability)
| Modals | Functions | Examples |
| Will | asking | Will you help me? |
| Whould | requesting | Whould you give me your dictionary? |
| Shall | asking | Shall I do the work? |
| Should | suggestion | You should work hard. |
| Can | ability | He can drive a car. |
| Could |
ability requesting |
He could do the sum.
Could you help me to do the sum? |
| May | possibility
permission prayer |
He may come here today.
May I come in? May you live long! |
| Might | pssibility
suggestion |
His statement might be true.
You might go to Lahore for training. |
| Must | certainty
obligation |
It must be good. You mustn’t do this.
You must obey your teachers. |
| Mustn’t | prohibition | You must not (mustn’t run in the sun. |
| Need | necessity | He need not go there (not “needs not”) |
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