Gooenglish | 11:13 AM | 1 Give a comment:

All the auxiliary verbs except be , do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals and exist in their helping forum ; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence. Be, do, and have also diffirent from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence. The modal verbs are :

CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD

Modal	Example	Uses
Can	* She can come any time . * She can’t repair the car . * Can we play here ? * Can you do me a favor ?	Ability /possiblility Inability / impossibility Asking for permission request
Could	* Could i go out, please ? * Could you repeat what you said ? * We could go to the movies if you want . * We could have request for dinner . * He could not fix the car, so he took it to the mechanic .	Asking for permission Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past
May	* May I have another cup of tea ? * Morocco may become an economic power .	Asking for permission Future possibility
Might	* We’d better hurry up. we might miss the train. * They might invite us to the wedding .	Present possibility Future possibility
Must	* You must stop at the red light * You mustn’t smoke in here . look at the no-smoking sign.	Necessity /Obligation Prohibition
Ought to / Should	* We ought to / should work hard in order to pass all our tests.	Advice
Shall	* Shall I help you with your luggage . * Shall we say 2.30 then ? * Shall I do that or will you ?	Offer Suggestion Asking what to do
Should	* My mother should be home now .	Uncertain prediction .
Will	* I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk . * I’ll do that for you if you like . * I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday . * Profits will increase next year .	Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction
Would	* Would you mind if I bought a colleage with me ? * Would you pass the salt please ? * Would you mind waiting a moment ? * Would three o’clock suit you ? – that’s be fine . * Would you like to play golf this Friday ? * Would you prefer tea or coffee ? – I’d like tea please .	Asking for permission Request Request Making arrangements Invitation Preferences

N.B : The modals auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form .
Note that the past of « must » for obligation is « had to », but the past of « must » for certainty is « must have + past participle of the verb » . The same thing for « can’t » for certainty ; the past is « can’t +have +past participle of the verb ».

Category: Grammatical