Modals Auxiliaries
A Modal auxiliary Verb is a verb that helps to form the moods or voices of other Verbs.
There are fourteen (14) Modal auxiliaries Verb in English.
They are:
- WILL 2. WOULD 3. SHALL 4. SHOULD 5. CAN 6. COULD 7. MAY 8. MIGHT 9. MUST 10. NEED 11. DARE 12. USED TO 13. HAVE TO 14.OUGHT TO
These Modal auxiliaries are used in sentences to give some extra information about the main Verb in a sentence.They denote different moods and feelings about the subject. As: ability, capacity, request, permission, decision, possibility, probability, imagination, speculation, prediction, responsibility, obligation, necessity, compulsion, duty, force, habitual action, suggestion, advice, respect, duty, etc.
One modal can express more than one moods or feelings about the subject.
Examples:-
I can drive car. (Can for ability) I can run faster than him. (Can for capacity)
Can I go now? (Can for permission) Can you help me please? (Can for request)
May I come in? (May for permission) She may come tonight. (May for possibility)
Should I join? (Should for permission) You should not smoke. (Should for suggestion)
One feeling or mood about the subject can be expressed by more than one modal.
(For permission) = May I come? Can I come? Shall I come? Should I come? Could I come?
(For Request) = Can you tell me this address please? Could you tell me this address please?
(For Possibility) = They may help you. They might help you. They would help you.