What are Modals | English Grammar for Class 6 PDF Download

Modals

Modals are auxiliary (helping) verbs used with other verbs to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.

List of Modals

• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Will
• Would
• Shall
• Should
• Ought to
• Must
• Need

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Structure

Uses of Modals

1. Uses of Shall

With the 1st person (I, we) to show future:

• Example: I shall be in my class at this time tomorrow. (Indicates a future action)
• Example: We shall decorate our houses for Deepawali. (Indicates a planned future event)
  

With the 2nd and 3rd person to show:

• Promise:
  • Example: You shall get a prize. (A promise to give a prize)
  • Example: We shall get Rs. 500. (A promise to receive money)
• Command:
  • Example: You shall not come to my house. (A command not to visit)
• Threat:
  • Example: You shall be punished for your misconduct. (A threat of punishment)

2. Uses of Should

• Obligation:
  Example: We should serve our parents. (It is our duty to serve our parents)
  
• Advice or Recommendation:
  Example: You should take milk, not coffee. (A suggestion for better health)
  
• Probability or Expectation:
  Example: He was in the final year of MBBS. He should be a doctor now. (An expectation based on his studies)

3. Uses of Will

• With the 3rd person to show future:
  Example: He will be in his office at this time tomorrow. (A future action for someone else)
  
• With the 1st and 2nd person to show:
  Wish:
  Example: I will go home now. (Expressing a decision or wish)
  Request:
  Example: Will you please lend me your scooter? (Polite request for a favor)
  Determination:
  Example: I will find out the truth. (Determined to achieve something)
  Willingness:
  Example: I will lend you my pen. (Willing to help)
  Threat:
  Example: I will surely punish him. (A threat to punish)

4. Uses of Would

• Polite Request:
  Example: Would you lend me your pen? (A polite way of asking for something)
• Enquiry about the Wish:
  Example: Would you like to have a cup of tea? (Asking about someone's preference)
• Wish:
  Example: Would that I was the Prime Minister! (A wishful thinking)

5. Uses of Can

• Ability:
  Example: He can teach you how to speak English. (Shows someone's skill)
• Possibility:
  Example: He can come at any time. (Indicates that coming is possible)

6. Uses of Could

• Past Ability:
  Example: He could swim well at the age of ten. (Past ability to swim)
• Permission:
  Example: Could I see what is in your hands? (Asking for permission)
• Polite Request:
  Example: Could you pass on the salt, please? (A polite way to ask for something)

7. Uses of May

• Permission:
  Example: May I come in, Sir? (Asking for permission to enter)
• Possibility:
  Example: It may rain today. (Indicating a possible event)
• Purpose:
  Example: Work hard so that you may pass. (Purpose for working hard)
• Wishes and Hopes:
  Example: May he win a scholarship! (Wishing someone success)

8. Uses of Must

• Obligation:
  Example: You must pay your bill by the 7th of this month. (A strong requirement)
• Advice or Recommendation:
  Example: The patient is serious. You must take him to the hospital. (Strong advice)
• Logical Conclusion:
  Example: You have worked a lot. You must be tired. (A conclusion based on evidence)

9. Uses of Need

• Obligation or Necessity:
  Example: You need not go there now. You are too late. (Indicating no necessity)
• Polite Request:
  Example: Need I remind you of your promise? (A polite way of asking for a reminder)

10. Uses of Might

• Possibility:
  Example: It might rain, but we can’t be sure. (Indicating a possible event)
• Purpose (in the past):
  Example: He worked hard so that he might pass. (Purpose for working hard)

11. Uses of Ought to

• Obligation:
  Example: You ought to attend the class regularly. (A recommendation for regular attendance)
• Advice or Recommendation:
  Example: He ought to consult a good doctor. (Advice to seek medical consultation)

12. Uses of Used to

• Habitual Action in the Past:
  Example: I used to fly kites when I was young. (Describing a past habit)
• State of Things in the Past:
  Example: There used to be a restaurant here ten years ago. (Describing a past state)

13. Uses of Dare

• Having the Courage:
  Example: I do not know how he dares to say all that. (Showing courage or boldness)
• Challenge:
  Example: I dare you to disobey your parents. (A challenge to act boldly)

Rules of Modals

1. No Changes for Third-Person Singular: Modal verbs do not change form for the third-person singular (he, she, it).
   Example:

   • Correct: She can sing.
   • Incorrect: She cans sing.

2. No Need for Additional Auxiliaries: Modal verbs do not require additional auxiliary verbs to form negative or interrogative sentences.
   Example:

   • Negative: You cannot swim. (Not: You do not can swim.)
   • Interrogative: Can you swim? (Not: Do you can swim?)

3. No Infinitives or -ing Forms: Modal verbs do not have infinitive forms (to + verb) or -ing forms.
   Example:

   • Incorrect: She wants to can swim. (Should be: She wants to swim.)
   • Incorrect: He is can swimming. (Should be: He is swimming.)

4. Followed by Infinitive without “to”: Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb without “to.”
   Example:

   • Correct: She must go now.
   • Incorrect: She must to go now.

5. Past Forms with “Have” + Past Participle: To express past modal meanings, use the modal verb + “have” + past participle of the main verb.
   Example:

   • She could have gone. (Indicating a past possibility)
   • He should have called. (Indicating a past obligation)

6. Expressing Multiple Meanings: Modal verbs can express more than one meaning depending on the context.
   Example:

   • “Can” can indicate ability (She can swim) or possibility (It can rain today).

7. Single and Double Concept Modals:

   • Single Concept Modal:These modals have one meaning.
     • Example: “Must” for obligation (You must study).
   • Double Concept Modal:These modals can have two meanings.
     • Example: “Could” can indicate past ability (He could swim when he was young) or polite requests (Could you help me?).

These rules help ensure the correct and effective use of modal verbs in various contexts.

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Must, mustn’t, can, can’t