Use of Modal Verbs in English Grammar

Use of Modal Verbs in English Grammar

The use of modal verbs is adding meaning to the main verb in a sentence by expressions.

A modal is a type of auxiliary or helping verb is used to express ability, possibility, permission, request, capacity, request, suggestion, order obligation, advice, prohibition, lack of necessity and probability.

Modal phrases or semi-modals are used to express the same things as the modals. However, the semi-modals are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to.

The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to.

The modal verb “Can” is used to show permission, possibility and ability, in the sense of knowing how or being able to do something. The informal situation can express permission, in the sense of being allowed to do something

The modal verb “Could” is used to make a request, to represent a suggestion, to show ability in the past, to identify a possibility in the present, to express or inquire about permission or willingness in a more polite form, to identify a possibility in the future that depends upon a present action.

The modal verb “May” is used to express possibility and give or request permission.

The modal verb “Might” is most commonly used to express possibility. Also, it is often used in a conditional sentence. Sometimes, it is used to make suggestions or requests.

The modal verb “Will” or “Would” is used to show a wish, prediction, request, demand, order, assumption, promise and polite expression. However, “Will” is used for the future tense and “Would” is used for the past tense of will. In the first conditional sentences “Will” is used for a real situation and possible whereas “Would” is used for the not possible or imaginary situation.

The modal verb “Shall” is used to indicate future action with the pronouns “I” or “We” and is often used in suggestions. Also, it is frequently used in promises or voluntary actions.

The modal verb “Should” is used to make recommendations or give advice. Also, it is used to express obligation as well as expectation.

The modal verb “Must” is used for necessity or very important that something happens in the present or future.

The modal verb “Ought to” is used to express an obligation or an expectation that someone should do something.

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Use of Modal Verbs in English Grammar