Modal Auxiliaries

Prepared by: Jonele F. Obbamen

Leona Baccay
Modal Auxiliaries
are a type of helping verb that are used only with main verb to
help express its mood.

Basic formula for using modal auxiliary:

Subject + modal auxiliary main verb

+
It might rain
Modal Auxiliaries
Tip when forming yes-no question with modal auxiliary:

Modal auxiliary subject+ main verb

+
Should I walk?
Modal Auxiliaries
There are ten main modal auxiliaries:
Can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must,
and ought to
Can
Use: expresses an ability or possibility

e.g.
- She can do this job better than him. (ability)

- We can get trough this so long as we work as a team.

(possibility)
Could

Use: expresses an ability in the past; a present possibility; a past or future

permission

e.g.

- I could beat you at chess when we were kids. (past ability)

- We could bake a pie. (present possibility)

- Could we pick some flowers from the garden? (future permission)

May
Use: expresses uncertain future action; permission; asks yes-
no question
e.g.
- I may attend the concert. (uncertain future action)

- You may begin the exam. (permission)

- May I attend the concert? (yes-no question)

Might
Use: expresses uncertain future action
e.g.
- I might not attend the concert. (same as may)
Shall
Use: expresses intended future action

e.g.
- I shall go to the opera.
Should
Use: expresses an obligation; asks if an obligation exists

e.g.
- I should mail my RSVP. (same as ought to)
- Should I call him? (asks if an obligation exists)
Will
Use: expresses intended future action; asks a favor; ask for
information
e.g.
- I will get an A this semester. (intended future action)

- Will you buy me some chocolate? (favor)

- Will you be finished soon? (information)

Would
Use: states a preference; requests a choice politely; explains an
action; introduces habitual past actions
e.g.
- I would like the steak, please. (preference)
- Would you like to have breakfast in bed? (request a choice
politely)
- I would go with you if I didn’t have to babysit tonight. (explain an
action)
- She would tell me stories when she was here. (past action)
Must
Use: expresses an obligation

e.g.
- We must be on time for the presentation.
Ought to
Use: expresses an obligation

e.g.
- I ought to mail my RSVP
Common Errors when Using
Modal Auxiliaries
 Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal

Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table.

 Using a gerund instead a base verb after a modal

Incorrect: I could moving to the United States.

 Using two modals in a row

Incorrect: I should must renew my passport.

 Leaving out modal

Incorrect: I renew my passport.

 Modals directly precede a verb

Incorrect: I can to go.

I must to study for my exam.

 Modals do not inflect

Incorrect: It cans jump a 5-storey building.

Modals and their Phrasal
Counterparts
are also called periphrastic modals, pseudo
modals, or quasi-modals
Modal Phrasal Modal
Can, could Be able to
Will, shall Be going to, be about to
Must Have to, have got to

Should, ought to Be to, be supposed to

Would (past habit) Used to

May, might Be allowed to, be permitted to

Modals and Present Perfect
Verbs
Modals and Perfect Tense
Present perfect tense describes a continuing situation

Subject+ has or have+ past participle

He has awaken
Remember, when a sentence contains a modal aux before the
verb, the helping verb is always have.

Subject+ modal have+ past

auxiliary+ participle
He could have helped
Common Errors when Using
Modal Auxiliaries in the
Present Perfect Tense
 Using had instead of have

Incorrect: Jamie would had attended the pparty, but she was
sick.

 Leaving out have

Incorrect: Jamie would attended the party, but she was sick.
Thank you!