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An Introduction to Modal (Auxiliaries)

Modals auxiliaries are those helping verbs (auxiliaries) that indicate different moods.
They represent the manner in which a speaker expresses his attitude towards a situation.
There are thirteen auxiliaries; shall, will, can, may, should, would, could, might, must, ought to, used to, need not, dare not.
They are used in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.
Modals + bare infinitive

Use of will/ shall

I/ WE=WILL

YOU/IT/HE/SHE/THEY/NOUN= SHALL

= is used when there is the following mood/concept

-prediction

-Determination

-promise

-resolution

-threat

-warning

-order

-instruction

-will you……………?= request

-shall I/ we———-?= asking questions

=offering service

= making offer/ suggestion

Examples:

He is determined. He shall not leave his seat.
You shall not come here again.
I know you will not come here again.
Will you please spare time for us?
Shall I consult a doctor? (to demand suggestion)
Shall I make tea for you? (I offer to make tea)

7. You shall leave at once(order)

8. candidates shall remain in your seats until all papers have been collected(order/instruction)

9. As you have commited crime . You shall be hanged ( threat/warning)

10. It will rain tomorrow( prediction)

(NOUN= WILL/SHALL( PREDICTION)

USE OF WILL

= Used for asking somebody to do something

e.g 1. Will you prepare coffee for us?

= Used for asumptions about present or past actions

e.g Ring his home number. He will be at home now

=used for ordering somebody to do something.

e.g Will you be quiet?

=used for stating what is generally true.

e.g 1. If it is made of wood. It will float

2. Engines will not run without lubricants.

= Used for saying what you think is probably true.

e.g That will be the doctor now.

= Used for stating what is true or possible in a particular way.( capacity /capability)

e.g This jar will hold a kilo.

= used for talking about habits

e.g He will listen music alone for hours.

= (will + infinitive = to express invitation)

e.g1. will you come to tea?

2. will you come with me?

= (obstinate insistence) or habit- in all persons in affirmative, negative, interrogative sentences

e.g He will definitely come

=Assurity

e.g This will be the key.(100%)

use of shall

= used for promise ,threat, resolution, threat, warning, order, instruction 2nd and 3rd persons

e.g He shall have the money on Monday(promise)

=prohibition in the negative

e.g You shall not enter the classroom.

2. He shall not steal.

Note: use’ shall’ if a sentence starts with ‘No one/Nobody

Nobody shall enter the garden.
Noone shall cross the road.

= obligation or insistence

e.g 1 He shall say as he is told( He must say as he is told)

2. He shall go if I order him.

= Legal and quasi-legal injunction

eg . The tenant shall maintain the rented accomodation.

= prediction and intentions

Note: We use shall instead of will with I and we in rather formal contents to make prediction or to talk about intention

or decisions . It is much less common than will.

Compare:

Formal informal

= we shall remember this day forever = we will remember this day forever.

warning:

we use shall only with the first person pronouns I and we to make predictions or express intentions.

eg The new business cards will be ready at the end of the month.

= Interrogative form(offers of service and suggestions seeking advice( with first person)

Shall I buy this book? ( Do you suggest to——)
Shall I prepare tea? ( Do you want me to——-

USE OF CAN

Rule: 1 Ability, capacity, power, know how to,

eg.1 She is young. She can lift this box.

In past tense( when she was young. She could lift this box.)

2. She can sing.(ability) (know how to)

3. she can speak French well ( ability)

Rule 2 Legal permission – can

eg The library issues two books. You can borrow two books from library.

Note: If we permit———————————-

The library issues two books . You may borrow two books from library.

Rule: 3 Negative strong possibility = can not( general possibility- can)

eg 1.She can’t be Geeta. She is in London at present.

2. That can’t be true.

3.Milk can not be black.

( Note: milk must not be black.( may be black)

4. Accidents can happen (general possibility)

5. Fire can be dangerous.

Note: positive strong possibility+ must

weak possibility= might

stronger than might= may

stronger than may= must

less possibility=can

Rule: 4 Less possibility = can

eg. There is no cloud in the sky. It can rain.

Rule: 5 Theoritical possibility

eg The roadways can be improved.

Note: It means roadways are not perfect and they can be improved.

Rule:6 To make suggestion

eg. We can eat in a restaurant if you like.

Rule: 7 To express doubt or surprise

eg1. What can they be doing?

2. Can he be serious?

Rule 8 With verbs feel, hear, see, smell, taste

eg.1. I can feel.

2. He can hear.

Rule: 9 To allow somebody/ to give permission.

eg. You can take the car if you want.

Rule: 10 To ask permission = informal

Can I read your newspapaer?
Can I go to watch movie?

Rule : 11 Ask somebody to helpeg

eg.1. Can you help me with this box.

2. Can you help him cross the road?

Rule : 12 Can is used to say that somebody must do something usually when you are angry.

eg You can shut up or get out

Rule: 13 To express disposition

She can tell a lie at any time.

Rule: 14 prohibition or Negation of permission( usually when there is no right.)

eg You can’t enter the examination hall without an admission card.

Rule :15 Idioms

can’t be doing with (informal)=used to say that you don’t like sth and are unwilling to accept it
No can do= you are not able or wiliing to do sth
can’t help + v ing= no alternative except doing something

USE OF COULD

Rule 1 : Ability , capacity, or power in the past

eg . He could play cricket when eleven.

2. she could run when eighty.

Rule : 2 In conditions

Could you lift that box?
I could do if i tried.

Rule 3 For suggestion

eg You could write a letter to the director.

Rule 4 Polite request – in the present time context( more polite than can)

eg. Could You lent me your car?

2.Could I have some more bread?

Rule 5 possibility and permission

eg When I was at school. We could sit out in the Sun.

Rule 6 Could is used to show that you are annoyed that somebody did not do something.

eg You could have told me that they were going to be late.

Rule 7 Could is used to emphasize how strongly you want to express your feelings.

eg I am so fed up I could scream.

Rule 8( Idiom) Could do with something=you need or would like to have something

eg. Her hair could have done with a wash.

USE OF MUST

Rule 1 positive strong possibility

Eg He must be at home.

Rule 2 Logical necessity

Eg He has worked hard. He must be tired.

2. As she has been striving hard. She must be hungry.

Rule 3 strong likelihood, certainity, inevitability

Eg 1. She must be fifty.

2. He must be a rich man.

3. Don’t bet on horse races. You must lose in the long run.

4. We must all die.

Rule 4 obligation, compulsion( sometimes involving a law or a rule)

Eg.1. You have to go ( because of circumstances)

2. You must go ( ordered be someone)

3. we must pay our taxes.

4. One must serve one’s old parents.

5. The last train has left. I have to stay at the station.

Rule 5 Strong advice = emphatic advice

1.Eg. You are seriousely ill . you must take rest.

2. You must tell the truth.

Rule 6 Prohibition

Eg 1 Visitors must not pluck flowers

2. people must not park theirs vehicles here.

3. You must not touch my books.

Note : The opposite of must = need not

Rule 7 Non obligation with need not

Eg You need not go now.

2. He need not read the books.

Rule 8 Apprehension

Eg There must be a mistake somewhere.

2. There must be something wrong.

Rule 9 Recommendation

Eg You simply read this books

Rule 10 idioms ( If you must do sth= used to say that somebody may do something but don’t really want them to.

Eg Can I smoke If you must do.

Rule 11 must (noun) = something that you must do, buy, see etc.

USE OF SHOULD

Rule 1 Duty or obligation, softened command, probability

Eg We should help the poor( moral oligation)

2. One should try to do one’s best (duty)

3. You should find the book on the top shelf.( probability)

4. You should call for the doctor.

Rule 2 supposition

Eg1. Should you see a lion, what will you do( suppose= should)

2. Should you meet Sohan, ask him to meet me.

3. If you want to succeed. work hard.

Note: If the above sentence starts with You then we shall use should for eg If you want to succeed . you should work hard.

I suppose that he is sleeping( he should be sleeping)

I suppose that he has reached. ( He should have reached)

I am sure that he is sleeping.( He will be sleeping)

Rule 3 Hypothetical situation( It helps to form the future subjunctive)( Lest…………… s+ should+ v1)

Eg1. Speak politely lest it should mar your fate.

2. Work hard lest you should fail.

Rule 4 Purpose ( used with all persons in clauses expressing purpose equivalent to may/ might

Eg I lent him book so that he should study it (might)

Rule 5. Giving or asking advice

Eg You should stop worrying about it.

Rule 6 Sheduled work/ refer to a possible event or situation/ routine work

Eg It is 10’o’ cloak. He should be teaching

Rule 7 Suggestion/ /arrangement

Eg She recommended that I should take sometime off.

Rule 8 ( formal) used with I/we in polite request

Eg I should like to call you.

Rule 9 To make conditional sentences( should =If)

Eg Should it rain, we shall not go out.

2. Should you speak the truth, I shall pardon you.

Rule 10 Why/ how/ who/ what+ should+ somebody/something do?=used to refuse something / to show that you are annoyed at a request

Eg Why should you go there.

2. Could you help me tomorrow in the office, why should I ?

3. She has misbehaved with me, why should I help her?

Rule 11 used after ‘that’, after ‘many adjectives’ that describe feelings

Eg I am anxious that we should allow plenty of time.

2. I find it astonishing that we should be so rude to you.

Rule 12 used for expressing strong agreement

Eg I know it is expensive but it will last for years I should hope so too.

Rule 13 used with I /we to give opinions that you are not certain about.

Eg I should imagine.

Rule 14 used to say something was expected has not happened

Eg 1. It should be snowing now, according to the weather.

2. The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.

Rule 15 used to say that you expect something is true or will happen.

Eg We should arrive before dark.

USE OF WOULD

Rule 1 so that/ in order that+ somebody/ something + would= used for saying why somebody does something.

Eg She burned the letters so that her husband would never read them.

Rule 2 wish that +something/ somebody + would= for saying what you want to happen

Eg. I wish you would be quiet for a minute.

Rule 3 would that = used to express a strong wish

Eg would that he lived to see.

Rule 4 used to ask somebody politely to de something, used in polite offers or invitations

Eg Would you like sandwich?

Rule 5 Would + like/ would+love/ would+ hate

Would prefer + something/somebody to do something

Would rather do something

Eg I would rather come with you.

Rule 6 Would imagine that/say that/ think that= used to give opinions that you are not certain about.

Eg I would imagine the job will take about two days

2. I would say he was about fifty.

Rule 7 To give advice

Eg I would not have any more to drink if I were you

Rule 8 For saying about happened in the past( would= used to)

Eg1. When my parents were away my grandmother would care of me.

Rule 9 used to show that somebody /something was not willing or refused to do something

Eg He would not attend the class.

Rule 10 Used for describing a possible action or event that did not in fact happen because something else did not happen first.

Eg If I had seen this advertisement in time I would have applied for the job.

Rule 12 Used for talking about the result of am event that you imagine.

Eg She would look better with shorter hair.

Rule 13 Past habit= used to( it shows obstinate/insistence)

Eg We would sit for hours doing nothing.

Rule 14 past form of will = reporting what somebody, someone has said or thought.

Eg He said that he would definitely come.

Rule 15 To express determination

Eg I would stand by him in times of trouble.

2. She would do it whether he liked it or not.

Rule 16 Contingent possibility= possibility in unreal condition whose chance fo completing is impossible.

Eg If man had wings , he would fly.

2. If I were the primeminister. I would eradicate poverty.

Rule 17 Ability/ possibility in unfulfilled condition( expressed by past perfect+ would/could have + v 3rd.

Eg If you had reached the station in time, you would/could have got the train.

2. We had had more money we would have bought a car.

Author: RAMKUMAR BARAWAD

USE OF MAY

Rule 1 possibility( mixed with a doubt or uncertainity)

Eg It may rain today. As it is cloudy.

2. He may come tomorrow.

Rule 2 To give or ask permission

Eg May I come in Sir?

2. You may come if you wish.

Rule 3 Wishes / hopes

Eg Business has been thriving in the past year long. May it continue.

2. May you live long!

3. May you both be happy

Rule 4 Purpose, after fear( so that+ s + may)

Eg Work hard so that you may pass.

2. I am afraid the news may be true.

Rule 5 (Formal) used as a polite way of making a comment, asking a question

Eg You look lovely if I may say so.

2. May I ask why you took that decision.

Rule 6 Used when admitting that something is true before introducing another point, argument.

Eg He may be a good father but he is a terrible husband.

Rule 7 Uncertainity and asking for information or expressing wonder.

Eg How old may she be ?

Rule 8 ‘May ‘ sometimes expresses what is reasonable.

Eg We may expect a good harvest this year.

Rule 9 Prohibition ( Negation of permission)

Eg You may not go swimming ( you are not allowed to)

Idiom= Be that as it may= despite that, nevertheless

May( Noun)= the white or pink flower of Hawthorn

USE OF MIGHT

Rule 1 past form of may while reporting

Eg He said that it might rain the next day.

Rule 2 Remote possibility

Eg 1 He has not worked hard but he might pass the examination.

2. She is working hard, she might win a schorlarship.

Rule 3 Possibility ( in reported speech)

Eg The teacher said that the next saturday might be a holiday.

Rule 4 wishes/ hopes (reported in Indirect speech)

Eg The old man blessed me that I might live long.

2 We wished that India might win the match.

Rule 5 To show greater hesitation, lack of belief, sefl confidence

Eg 1. Might I make a suggestion?

Author: RAMKUMAR BARAWAD

2. Might I borrow your scooter?

Rule 6 used to show that you are annoyed about somebody could do/ could have done.

Eg I think you might at last offer to help.

Rule 7 Used to say that you are not surprised by something

Eg I might have guessed it was you.

Rule 8 Used to emphasize that an important point has been made

Eg And where is the money coming from you might guess.

Rule 9 porpose ( in past time)

Eg 1. died so that others might live.

2. She worked hard so that he might get the first rank.

Rule 10 polite request

Eg You might do me a favour.

USE OF USED TO

Rule 1 To express past habit( Affimative sentences)

Eg Gandhi ji used to spin on the charkha for two hours daily.

Rule 2 Negative sentences

Eg 1. She used not to tell lies in those months.

2. He used not to tell a lie.

Rule 3 Interrogative sentences

Eg 1. Used he to work hard when he was a student?

2. Used you to go there?

Rule 4 As an adjective( Used to= familiar with)

Eg He is used to taking tea.

USE OF DARE

Rule 1 As a principal verb

To dare= to challenge

To dare= to face

To dare= to oppose

Note: It is used in all the tenses and is followed by to in affimative sentences.

Eg He dares to face his enemy.

Rule 2 As a defective verb and modal( dare= to venture)

Note:1. It is used in the negative and interrogative sentences 2. It does not take ‘to’

USE OF NEED

Rule 1 As a principal verb

Need= to stand in need of something/ someone

Eg 1. I need her help.

2. He does not need my help.

Rule 2 As a defective verb and modal

Note: It is used only in the negative and interrogative sentences 2. it is used to express weakness, necessity, or obligation 3. It is used only in the present tense.

Eg 1. You need not think about it.

2. Need I go home so soon?

3. Need you return me the book?