MODALS

MODALS

MODALS

Modals are the auxiliary verbs which show the mode of an action.

(Can, could may might must would should need dare ought to etc.) Are used before ordinary verb to express meaning such as necessity certainty ability possibility permission power willingness etc

v  Should:         (Past form of shall)

It is used to show future in past tense.

E.g. she said that I should report for duty on Monday,

He said that I should attend her wedding.

Duty or obligation

E.g.: peon should ring the bell

We should keep our promise.

Advice or Suggestion

E.g.: she should attend the class regularly.

You should work hard

You should tell the truth.

Lest (otherwise)

E.g.: Run slowly lest you should fall down.

Run fast lest you should miss the bus.

Work hard lest you should fail.

Supposition Assumption

E.g.: should you go to market bring some fruit for me.

Should you lost the way ask somebody?

Should+ have +v3

E.g.: Johan should have gone to the post in the morning.

Mary should not have called Gill last night.

v  Would            (Past form of will)

It is used to show future in past in indirect speech.

E.g.: he said that he should also fly kites.

I told him that he would get a first class.

Past habit- used to

E.g.: Gandhi would spin every morning in winter he would go to bed early.

Polite Request  

Would you please show me your book?

 Would you please lend me your scooter?

Unreal Condition

E.g.: Would that I were rich!

Would that I were young again

v  Can

Power or Ability

E.g.: I can lift this bundle

I can speak English smoothly

Possibility

E.g.: anyone can make mistake

Anyone can solve this some.

Permission

E.g.: You can sit here

You cannot stay here

 Nature

 E.g.: He can tell a lie.

They can cheat you

v  Could             (Past form of can)

Power or ability

E.g.: She asked me if I could help her.

The teacher asked me if I could not prepare the chart

She could sing well when she was a child.

The patient tries to walk but could not

Possibility

E.g.: If I had money I could buy a wrist watch.

If he had secured good mark he could seek admission in good college

Polite request (present tense)

E.g.: Could you pleaser help me

Could you lend me some money?

v  May

It is used to show permission.

It is more polite (formal) than can.

E.g.: may I come in sir!

You may go now!

Possibility

E.g.: It may rain in the evening.

The news may be true.

Purpose

E.g.: She works so that she may pass.

We eat so that we may live.

Wish and prayer

May you live long!

May God bless you!

v  Might              (Past form of May)

Purpose

E.g.: She worked hard so that she might pass.

She wore good clothes so that she looks nice.

Remote possibility

E.g.: the sky is clear but it might rain.

He has not promised but he might come.

 Permission and possibility

E.g.: The captain said that we might play a match.

The teacher said that I might win the scholarship.

v  Must               It is stronger than should.

It is used to show necessity and obligation

E.g.: he must run fast to catch the bus

We must pay our debts in time.

Compulsion

Eg:  we must follow the traffic rule.

You must beg pardon of you parents.

Prohibition

E.g.: you must not read others letter.

You must not enter the ladies compartment.

v  Ought to

It is used to show moral duty and social binding.

E.g.: we ought to serve and smile.

 We ought to respect our elders.

v  Need

To express necessity

E.g.: you need not stay here.

Need she go there?

Need is mostly used in negative and interrogative sentence

v  Dare /venture

He dare not oppose me.

How dare you say so?

How dare you speak against me?