MODAL AUXILIARIES

GRammar Topic

MODAL AUXILIARIES

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What is a Modal Auxiliary?

A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission, obligation, necessity, logical conclussion or advice. In this structure the verb ALWAYS keeps its BASE FORM

MODALS

Necessity

Ability

Possibility

Obligation

Logical Conclussion

Permission

Practice

Advice

Expressing Ability Can/Could

Could

Can

This structure expresses ABILITY in present and future. EXAMPLES + You can play the piano -He can not speak french ¿? Can Mario build a lego car?

This structure expresses ABILITY in past. EXAMPLES + I could run fast when I was in school - She could not dance in High School ¿? Could you play volleyball when you were 14?

Expressing PossibilityMay/Might/Could

EXAMPLES + It might/may/could rain in the afternoon - We might/may/could not go to the park

May/Might/Could

These structures express Possibility in present and future. The three of them have the same meaning and DO NOT differ with each other. The

Expressing PermissionMay/Can

May/Can

These modals express Permission in present and future.

EXAMPLES + The kids can/may have a cookie after they finish the homework - She may/can not go to the park until the restricction is over ¿? May/Can I go the bathroom?

Note: generally, may is more formal than can

Should/Ought to These 2 structures have the same meaning "It´s a good idea" Press here for examples

Expressing Advice Should/Ought To/had better

Had Better It has the same base meaning as the other two structures "It´s a good idea" But in this case, it implies a warning about a possible bad consequence. Press here for examples

Expressing Necessity

Have to

Have got to

Must

This modal auxiliary is frequently used in everyday speech and writing EXAMPLES

In this case, have got to is used in informal conversations EXAMPLES

This modal is found in written instructions. It is something serious. EXAMPLES

Expressing Obligation and Prohibition

Must as Obligation

Must as Prohibition

When MUST is used as an obligation, it requires an authority figure like a boss, a teacher, a doctor, a parent, etc. EXAMPLES

When MUST is used as a prohibition, it is generally found in negative. It is usal to see it in signs in parks, hospitals, beaches, and other public places EXAMPLES

VS

Expressing Logical Conclusion

Must

When we use MUST as a logical conclusion, we are basically giving our best guess on situation that is happening at the moment. In this cases, the context gives us clues about the situation.

EXAMPLES + Sara must be really tired, she is very sleepy and is yawning a lot - They must not be able to open the door, they are calling a locksmith

PRACTICE

INSTRUCTIONSA- Read the sentences on the link, then identify what context is being appliend on each of them (ability, possibility, permision, advice, obligation, logical conclussion, prohibition or necessity)