Modal Auxiliaries | English Grammar Class 7 PDF Download

Fundamentals

Modals are those helping verbs, which express the ‘mode’ or ‘manner’ of the actions indicated by the main verbs. They express ability, possibility, probability, permission, obligation, etc. The most commonly used modals are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, used to, need, and dare.
Modals are used to:

Ask permission – may, can, could
Example:

• May I come in?
• Could I use your pen, please?

Make a request – can, could
Example:

• Could you please give me the doctor’s telephone number?

Express a possibility – may, might, could
Example:

• It might rain during the night.

Give advice or suggestion – should
Example:

• You should wear a helmet while riding your motorbike.

Express necessity or compulsion – must, have to
Example:

• We must slow down while driving in front of the school.
• I have to submit my project by tomorrow.

Express prohibition – must not
Example:

• You must not talk loudly in the library.

Express a promise or intention – will, shall
Example:

• I will mail you my address.

Express a wish – may
Example:

• May you have a long life!

A modal does not change according to the number or person of the subject.
Example:

• He can learn. I can learn. You can learn. They can learn. We can learn.

A modal is always used with a verb in its basic form. The modal changes according to the tense. While the main verb remains in its regular form.
Example:

• I can run. I may run. I could run. I might run.

Modals can be used without a verb in response to a question.
Examples:

• Can you sing? I can.
• Will you sing? I will.
• Will you come? I may. /1 will.

Modals, when joined with ‘not’ to form a negative, can be contracted.
Examples:

• I cannot run. I can’t run.
• I do not run. I don’t run.
• I will not run. I won’t run.

Model Verb Can

Would/Will And May/Might

Should And Must

Mind Map of Modals