What do modal verbs mean what are they what s the difference between them

Modal verbs

Can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would are the modal verbs.

They always go together with the infinitive of the main verb, for example:

I must go.

You should call him.

John can meet me at the airport.

What is the difference between modal verbs and other verbs?

The modal verbs are different from other verbs:

My daughter is four years old and she can read and write.

Mr Johnson might come tomorrow.

Can you close the window, please? BUT

Does he always close this window?

I must go to the dentist. BUT

I had to go to the dentist yesterday.

We may sit here. BUT

I want to sit here.

Meaning of the basic modal verbs and «have to» in a table

Expressing probability with modal verbs

We can use modal verbs when we want to make a proposition about something. We choose the verb depending on how certain we are.

When we express probability with modal verbs, we can use more constructions than just «a modal verb + infinitive».

In fact, it is the infinitive of the present continuous form (to be joking, to be leaving, to be talking).

She might be having lunch.

This can’t be happening again!

You must be joking.

— modal verb + have + past participle

When we make a guess or express regrets about the past situation, we use a past modal verb.

He must have gone out.

I should have listened to you.

Jessica didn’t invite me, but I couldn’t have come anyway.

Модальные глаголы в английском языке

Разберемся в функциях и правилах употребления модальных глаголов в английском языке.

Модальные глаголы (modal verbs) — это особая группа глаголов. Они обозначают возможность, вероятность, необходимость или способность совершить какое-то действие. Есть модальные глаголы, используя которые, вы можете рассказать об умениях человека (can/could), запретить или приказать кому-либо что-то делать (must), дать совет (should) и т. д.

Рассмотрим несколько примеров модальных глаголов:

I must finish this article till Wednesday. — Я должен закончить эту статью до среды.
You should follow your doctor’s advice! — Тебе следует слушать советы доктора!

She can’t swim so she isn’t coming with us to the river. — Она не умеет плавать, поэтому она не идет с нами на реку.
What languages can he speak? — На каких языках он может говорить?

Модальные глаголы в английском языке:

Правила употребления модальных глаголов

I can type very fast. — Я могу печатать очень быстро.

I can’t do it. — Я не могу этого сделать.
May I use your laptop? — Могу я воспользоваться вашим ноутбуком.
What do I have to sign? — Что я должен подписать?

Рассмотрим, как строится утвердительное предложение с модальным глаголом:

Обратите внимание, что для соединения модального и смыслового глаголов нам не нужна частица to. За исключением ought to и have to, где to — часть модального глагола.

We ought to respect our parents. — Мы должны уважать своих родителей.
I have to wear uniform at work. — Я должен носить униформу на работе.
They should study harder if they want to pass the exams. — Им стоит учиться усерднее, если они хотят сдать экзамены.

Отметим, модальный глагол ought to редко употребляется в американском варианте английского и считается формальным в британском английском, поэтому его заменяют на should.

Mark ought to choose more healthy food. = Mark should choose more healthy food. — Марку следует выбирать более полезные продукты.

Узнаем, как построить отрицательное предложение с модальным глаголом:

She can’t come tomorrow because she’s having a meeting. — Она не сможет прийти завтра, потому что у нее встреча.
You mustn’t play with matches, it’s dangerous! — Нельзя играть со спичками, это опасно!

Вопросительные предложения с модальным глаголом:

Who can help me? — Кто может мне помочь?
Why shouldn’t he come to the party? — Почему ему не следует приходить на вечеринку?
Must I finish this report now? — Я должен закончить этот отчет сейчас?

Вопросительные предложения с модальным глаголом have to образуются с помощью вспомогательных глаголов: do/does, did, have, will.

What did I have to do to stop you? — Что я должен был сделать, чтобы остановить тебя?
Will I have to meet you? — Мне нужно будет тебя встречать?

Значения модальных глаголов

Давайте разберем значения модальных глаголов и узнаем, чем они отличаются:

Can — мочь, уметь, иметь возможность/способность что-либо сделать. Can также используется в тех случаях, когда мы спрашиваем разрешения что-то сделать.

My sister can ride a horse. — Моя сестра умеет ездить на лошади.
I can’t drive, but I can ask my brother to give you a lift. — Я не умею водить, но я могу попросить брата подвезти тебя.

Could — мог. Это прошедшая форма модального глагола can. Еще с помощью could можно вежливо о чем-то попросить.

He can’t have fallen asleep at the conference. — Не может быть, чтобы он уснул во время конференции.

Must — должен, обязан что-либо сделать. Have to — приходится, вынужден что-либо сделать.

Модальные глаголы must и have to указывают на обязанность и долженствование, но их значения различны. Must предполагает, что никто вас не вынуждал, а вы сами взяли на себя обязательства и несете за них ответственность. Have to подразумевает, что вы должны что-то сделать, так как этого требуют обстоятельства.

I must work hard to earn enough money for a new car. — Я должен работать усердно, чтобы заработать достаточно денег на машину.
Yesterday I stayed at home, because I had to complete my project. — Вчера я остался дома, потому что должен был завершить проект.

В отрицательном предложении эти модальные глаголы обретают несколько другое значение: mustn’t выражает категоричный запрет, а don’t have to — необязательное выполнение действия (можно делать или не делать).

You mustn’t go to that night club. — Тебе нельзя идти в тот ночной клуб.
You don’t have to go to the shop. — Тебе можно не идти в магазин.

Should — следует. Как правило, используется в советах и рекомендациях, зачастую это мягкий способ указать кому-то, что ему нужно сделать.

You should sleep more if you want to be healthy. — Тебе следует спать больше, если ты хочешь быть здоровым.
They shouldn’t lie to him — he’ll find out about it anyway. — Им не стоит ему лгать, он все равно узнает об этом.

Ought to — следует. Синоним should.

You ought to visit your grandparents more often. — Тебе следует навещать бабушку и дедушку чаще.
They ought not to shout at their boss. — Им не следует кричать на босса.

May — может, возможно. В вопросительных предложениях предполагает более вежливую форму вопроса или просьбы.

May I see a headmaster? — Могу ли я увидеть директора?
I was really worried that you may get hurt. — Я очень волновалась, что ты мог пострадать.

Might — синоним may в значении «возможно».

He might be busy yesterday, that’s why he didn’t call you. — Возможно, он был занят вчера, поэтому не позвонил тебе.

Теперь вы знаете, как употреблять модальные глаголы и чем они отличаются друг от друга. Предлагаем пройти тест, чтобы закрепить новый материал.

What are Modal Verbs

What are Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that expresses necessity, ability or possibility. In this article, we are going to discuss what modal verbs are and their functions.

Modal verbs can be used to express ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Modal verbs in the English Language include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will and would.

It is important to notice that modal verbs exist in pairs. And one is considered the past form of another.

Examples of Modal Verbs

However, there are some other major differences between these word pairs as well. In this article, we are going to look at the functions of these words individually.

It can be dangerous to wander alone at night. – Possibility (can is used to state a general possibility)

She can speak Chinese, Japanese and Korean. – Ability

Can I have a glass of water? – Request

Can I borrow your pen? – Permission (informal)

Could

It could be dangerous to wander alone at night. – Possibility (indicate a weaker possibility.)

She could speak Chinese, Japanese and Korean. – Ability (in the past)

Could I have a glass of water? – Request (formal)

May I go out? – Asking for permission

Yes, you may go. – Granting permission.

We may attend the meeting. – Possibility that is likely to come true.

Might

Might I go out? – Asking for permission (very formal)

We might attend the meeting. – Possibility that is unlikely to come true.

Shall

Shall I help you with your luggage? – Suggestion/offer

Should

You should pay more attention. – Advice

You should lock the door when you go out – obligation

I’ll help you if you like. – Offer

Will you please turn down the volume. – Request/ demand (less polite than would)

She’ll return next year. – Prediction

Would

Would you please turn down the volume. – request (polite)

Would you like to have some tea? – offer

If I were you, I would apologize from him. – hypothesis

Would you like to have a cup of coffee?

As seen from the example sentences, modal verbs are always followed by an infinitive of another verb. They cannot stand alone in a sentence. However, unlike other verbs, modal verbs do not require an auxiliary verb to form their negatives or interrogatives. A modal verb is made negative by simply adding ‘not’ after the verb.

It may not rain tomorrow.

He will not attend the meeting.

The interrogative form is formed by inverting the subject and the verb.

He can sing.→ Can he sing?

He should come to school.→ Should he come to school?

What is a Modal Verb? English Modal Verbs List

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is a Modal Verb? English Modal Verbs List

Define modal verb: A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that expresses possibility or necessity.

What is a Modal Verb?

A modal verb is a helping (auxiliary) verb that expresses ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. The modal verb must be used in a verb phrase.

A verb phrase is more than one verb used in together to express an action. Modal verbs are always paired with at least one other verb.

Modal verbs express possibility or necessity (and variations thereof).

List of Modal English Verbs

What are the English modal verbs? Here are nine most frequently used modal verb in Modern English.

Example of Modal Verbs in Use:

Modal Verbs are Helping Verbs

Since modal verbs are helping verbs, they are always a part of a verb phrase. They do not stand alone as individual verbs.

Modal helping verbs are still helping verbs, so they must be used in a verb phrase (helping verb plus main verb) in order to be grammatically correct.

Example of Modal Verb in Use:

Modal verbs can be made negative, as well. The negative word “not” is added into the verb phrase between the modal verb and the main verb.

To make a negative verb phrase with a modal verb:

Examples of modal verb in use (negative):

Modal Verbs Express: What is the Purpose of Modal Verbs?

Again, the modal verbs are,

These modal verbs are used to express different meanings of possibility and intention. They enhance the meanings of main verbs, and certain verbs are used to express each meaning.

Modal Verbs Expressing Possibility

Certain modal verbs express possibility. They express something that may or may not happen.

The modal verbs used to express possibility include: can, could, might, may.

Examples:

Modal Verbs Expressing Intention

Certain modal verbs express intention. They express something that the speaker plans to do but has not yet completed.

The modal verbs used to express intention include: should, would, might, will, shall.

Examples:

Modal Verbs Expressing Obligation

Certain modal verbs express obligation. They express something that the speaker plans needs to do.

The modal verbs used to express obligation include: will, must, shall.

Examples:

Modal Verbs Expressing Necessity

Certain modal verbs express necessity. They express something that the speaker plans needs to do.

The modal verbs used to express necessity include: must, shall.

Examples:

Modal Verbs Do Not Change Forms

Since modal verbs are not the main verb in a sentence, they are not conjugated or inflected to show grammatical changes in the subject. Put differently, they do not change forms.

Furthermore, modal verbs do not have an infinitive form to conjugate.

Modal verbs with different subjects:

As you can see, the same verbs work with subjects in the first, second, and third persons.

Summary: What are Modal Verbs?

Define modal verb: the definition of modal verb is a specific kind of helping verb used to express possibility.

In summary, a modal verb:

The 3 Types of Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs fall into three different categories based on meaning. As a teacher, it helps to be aware of these categories because they 1) allow for different uses of the same word; 2) dictate how multiple modals can be combined in a verb string; and 3) determine whether defective forms can/should be used (we’ll explain this idea later in case you’re unfamiliar with it).

The coursebooks you use may have topics like “Modals of Permission”, “Modals of Deduction,” etc., which are subtypes within the 3 main categories, or flavors. So if you’re already familiar with those, you’ve got a leg up on this post.

The 3 Flavors

The three categories of modals are Epistemic (relating to speculation), Deontic (relating to ideals or regulations), and Dynamic (relating to performance).

EPISTEMIC MODALS

DEONTIC MODALS

DYNAMIC MODALS

Why This Matters

We won’t go into the intricacies of modal verbs having three flavors in this post, as there’s far too much to cover. But in case you’re wondering how to address what seems like inconsistencies with modals, being aware of the three flavors might help. Here’s just a glimpse.

MULTIPLE USES PER WORD

Take ‘can’ as an example: “Can this really be happening?” (EPISTEMIC); “Can I use the restroom, please?” (DEONTIC); “I can do thirty push-ups.” (DYNAMIC).

These commonly-used words having multiple meanings can be tricky for students to wrap their head around. But the good news is that in most circumstances, only one category is applicable, so you only need to consider one definition for each modal.

COMBINATION & ORDER

We rarely use more than one modal at a time, but you can use two in the same verb string if they’re from different categories. You can use an Epistemic then a Deontic, or you could use an Epistemic then a Dynamic.

I once knew someone who would often say “We might could do that.” That was normal for a Southern U.S. dialect, but more widely we would use a defective form for the second modal in the pair, so instead I would say “We might be able to do that.” Consider other possibilities like “She might need to go there,” or “He must be able to do it on his own.”

DEFECTIVE SUBSTITUTES

Modals are ‘defective’, meaning their form can’t change, which sometimes makes grammar tricky. We sometimes use substitutes that are more grammatically malleable. These substitutes are multi-word modals, most of which start with ‘be’ and almost all of which end with ‘to’. For example, ‘be supposed to’ is the defective form of should, and ‘be going to’ is the defective of will.

Some substitutes depend on the modal flavor. For instance, ‘be able to’ is the substitute for can/could as dynamic, but ‘be allowed to’ is the substitute for can/could as deontic.

Must has multiple defectives — ‘have to’, ‘have got to’, and ‘need to’ — each of which is an exception since they don’t start with ‘be’. But all three of those defective forms apply to must as Deontic (permission). Must as Epistemic (deduction) curiously has no defective form.

PRETERITES

What’s the difference between may and might, between can and could, or between will and would? The answer is … it depends on the flavor.

The second word in each pair is called a ‘preterite’. For Dynamic modals (as well as for non-modal verbs), the ‘preterite’ is simply the past form. But for Epistemic modals, they are hypothetical. And for Deontic modals, they are deferential.

If ever you’re wondering why a modal acts one way in certain instances and a second way in other instances, see which category that word falls into for each case, and hopefully that’ll help answer your question!

Since this article’s publication, we’ve done more research into modal verbs and have come up with a more fleshed-out system for explaining the 3 modals, including why these distinctions matter for educators. To learn more, check out our Flavors of Modal Verbs grammar topic page, complete with video!