MODAL Yeni Wulandari, S.S., M.A.

DEFINITION
A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability,
possibility, permission, or obligation.
When used with the main verb, modal verbs do not end with –s for the third person
singular. Modal auxiliary verbs never change form but they have a different form for
past tense.
Modal phrases (or semi-modals) are used to express the same things as modals, but
are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to.
(ginger)
(learn grammar)
RULES
Do not use modals for things which happen definitely.
Ex: The sun rises in the east. A modal can’t be used in this sentence.
They have no –s in the third person singular.
Ex: She can play piano.
questions are formed without do/does/did.
Ex: Can Henry make cookies?
It follows a main verb in its infinitive.
Ex: We must read novels
When you use past participle you tell about things which did not happen in the past
Ex: You should have told your wife first.

(englisch-hilfen)
Present Tense modal Auxiliaries
Will
Can
Must
May
Shall
Need
Present tense semi-modals
Have to
Ought to
Past Tense modal Auxiliaries
Would
Could
Might
Should
Past Tense semi-modals
Used to
Had to
Ought to
Negative forms
Cannot -> Can’t
Could not -> Couldn’t
May not
Might not
Ought not to -> Oughtn’t to
Need not -> Needn’t
Shall not -> Shan’t
Should not -> Shouldn’t
Will not -> Won’t
Would not -> Wouldn’t
Will- would –wouldn’t
Will indicates a ‘willingness’ to do something in the future. The negative form indicates an
‘unwillingness’ (refusal, reluctance) to do something.
Would indicates general or repeated willingness in the past. It also indicates preference in the
present.
Examples
I will give you the chance.
I will play baseball on Sunday.
She won’t make a cake for her father.
They won’t have any pieces of material here.
Masa thought that people would buy his novel.
I would like to order potato leek soup as my appetizer.
Can- could-may-might
These modals express possibility and ability.
Can indicates ability
Could indicates ability with an option
Couldn’t indicates inability.
May and might both indicate possibility but might can suggest that there is less possibility than
may.
Examples:
She can do it.
The temperature can drop drastically nowadays.
Max can’t ride the bikes too far.
It could rain later.
The band may come back on stage later.
The band might come back on stage later.
Must-have to-had to
Must indicates necessity.
Have to has similar meaning to must but implies less urgency.
Had to is the past form of had to, and has the same meaning as that.
Examples:
Sam must leave now.
The girls must be pretty to win the beauty pageant.
They have to go now.
Liza has to go to Paris by 7.00 am.
I had to study hard to pass last week’s exam.
Should- ought to
Should indicates obligation and probability.
It can also indicates obligation in the past.
Ought to sometimes replaces should.
Ought to can be both used in the present and in the past.
Examples:
We should go to the concert on time.
The students should have finished the test by now.
They should have done that.
Maia ought to come home early today.
Pierre ought to have taken a taxi.
EXERCISE
1. Shall/might/will I open the door? Is that okay with you?
2. I’m hungry. I think I will/can/ought to buy some sandwiches.
3. You will/should/might take the airport bus. It’s way cheaper than taking a taxi
ride.
4. I think Alisha was born around the same time your son, Jimmy. She
might/would/should be about nine.
5. Sia cannot/may not/ would not be hungry! I just saw her eaten enough to fill two
grown adults.
EXERCISE
6. Where is Mrs. Cho? She will/may/must be at the meeting.
7. Must/may/could you please pass me the salt?
8. Jasmine can/should/might see a doctor. Her face looks so pale.
9. I know Shawn must/might/shall like my birthday present. I see him wears those
shoes almost everyday.
10. Camden can’t/must/couldn’t study very hard. He has flunked every test so far this
semester.