Modal Verbs
What is Modals Verbs?
Modals verbs (must, will, would, should, may, can, could, might, must) precede another verb. Modals do not have subject-verb agreement or take the infinitive “to” before the next verb.
This handout shows how modals in academic writing can change a sentence’s meaning into a prediction, suggestion, or a question. Modals can also serve a social function to show uncertainty or politeness. They are especially common in discussion sections of research papers.
Part of Speech
Sometimes the verb of a sentence consists of more than one word. In these cases, the main verb will be joined by one or more Helping Verbs.
Ex: The basketball team will be leaving for their game at six o’clock.
In this sentence, the main verb is leaving. The helping verbs are will and be.
Other helping verbs include can, could, may, must, should and would.
Must
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
•This must be the right address! certainty
•Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
•You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
•You must not touch the pictures = don’t touch the pictures. prohibition
Can
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
☺I can ride a horse. ability
☺ We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
☺ She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
☺ Can you hand me the stapler? request
☺ Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can.“
☺ Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
☺ Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
☺ You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
☺ Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
☺ We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might“.
•Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
•If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
•You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
•Might I borrow your pen? request
What is Modals Verbs?
Modals verbs (must, will, would, should, may, can, could, might, must) precede another verb. Modals do not have subject-verb agreement or take the infinitive “to” before the next verb.
This handout shows how modals in academic writing can change a sentence’s meaning into a prediction, suggestion, or a question. Modals can also serve a social function to show uncertainty or politeness. They are especially common in discussion sections of research papers.
Part of Speech
Sometimes the verb of a sentence consists of more than one word. In these cases, the main verb will be joined by one or more Helping Verbs.
Ex: The basketball team will be leaving for their game at six o’clock.
In this sentence, the main verb is leaving. The helping verbs are will and be.
Other helping verbs include can, could, may, must, should and would.
Must
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
•This must be the right address! certainty
•Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
•You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
•You must not touch the pictures = don’t touch the pictures. prohibition
Can
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
☺I can ride a horse. ability
☺ We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
☺ She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
☺ Can you hand me the stapler? request
☺ Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can.“
☺ Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
☺ Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
☺ You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
☺ Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
☺ We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might“.
•Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
•If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
•You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
•Might I borrow your pen? request
Ode to the Grapes
Beginning in spring,
the climbers are climbing
on the branch.
Light green sprouts are one by one coming out as stems
after the rain.
The rain
and the sunshine
help the small sprouts
get stronger,
leaves all over shelves.
The sun makes the leaves
Bright.
The raining expands them
like a greenish umbrella
give us a little
cool
in the beginning of the summer.
Bunches baby grapes
hang over the shelves.
They take nutrition
from the sun
and rain.
Babies get bigger
every day.
They look like green diamonds
in the sun.
The sun
makes fruit get sweeter.
Cut down
a few bunches of
grapes.
Let them take a good bath,
and put them on the tray.
Call the family around.
Take a piece on your red carpet.
It is sweet as a candy,
Lovely.
It is a good heart helper.