Grammar II : Modal Verbs

These are the special features that make us able to tell the
difference between auxiliary verbs and lexical verbs:
1. The negation is formed by adding the negative particle not
to the base:
You can’t do that!
2. The question is formed by means of inversion:
Can you do it?
3. They are followed by bare infinitives of lexical verbs:
Who can speak English?
4. Modals have the same form for all the persons in both
singular and plural (no “-s” in the 3rd person singular).
5. They have no infinitive form with to.

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 The Uses of the Modal Auxiliaries:
1. Ability

◦ Can / Can’t:
I can speak English.
I can’t hear you.
◦ Could: - expresses an ability or opportunity in the past
I could speak French when I was younger.
He couldn’t repair the car yesterday.
◦ Be able to:
He was able to repair the car straightaway.
I won’t be able to meet you tomorrow.

2. Possibility

◦ Can: - is used to talk about a general possibility

It can be very cold in winter.
The road can be blocked with snow.

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 ◦ Could:
There could be life on other planets. (Present)
We could move next month. (Future)
◦ May:
The doctor may see you now. (Present)
You may get better tomorrow. (Future)
◦ Might:
He might still be in Venice. (Present)
The director might retire early. (Future)

3. Permission

◦ Can / Can’t:
Can I smoke here?
Yes, you can. / No, you can’t.
◦ Could: - Ask Politely
Could I use your bathroom?
◦ May:
May I use the office phone, please?

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Note:
“May” is more formal and and less commons than “can” or “Could”.
“Can” and “Could” are also used to make a request.

4. Suggestion / Advice

◦ Could:
We could go to the new restaurant this evening.
◦ Should:
You should really go to the doctor.
◦ Must:
You must try this juice – it’s delicious!
◦ Shall:
Shall I tell him the truth?

Note:
“Should” and “Shouldn’t” are used to ask for give advice to
someone.

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5. Obligation

◦ Should:
You should tell the police what you saw.
◦ Ought to:
You ought to phone home.
◦ Must:
You must circulate that report before the meeting.
You mustn’t touch the wires.
◦ Have to:
You have to wait in the queue.
You don’t have to pay on a Friday.

6. Necessity

◦ Need to:
The report needs to be typed.
The door doesn’t need to be painted.

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 ◦ Needn’t have:
You needn’t have bought any milk. I’ve got plenty.

7. Deduction and Assumption

◦ Can’t:
Those calculations can’t be easy.
◦ Couldn’t:
He couldn’t have done it. He wasn’t there.
◦ Must:
She must be at home. The lights are on.
It must have rained a lot in the last week.

8. Habits and Past States

◦ Would:
When I was young, we would go to the beach every
morning.

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◦ Used to:
I used to go to the cinema twice a week.
She used to have long hair.

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