MODALS

TOPIC: 6
A. MODALS: An Introduction
#MODALS are kind of AUXILIARY VERBS.
#MODALS expresses SPEAKER'S MOOD and ATTITUDE.
#MODALS are always FOLLOWED by a MAIN VERB.
#In QUESTION TAGS, however, MODALS can be USED ALONE.
#MODALS DO NOT CHANGE form with the PERSON and NUMBER of the SUBJECT.
#The MAIN VERB used AFTER A MODAL is always in the ROOT FORM.
#Examples
Can Could May Might Shall Should
Will Would Ought to Must Need Dare

A1. Let's study a few examples:

No: Sentence Modals Suggestion
a. I can lift the box. can Ability
b. It may rain today. may Possibility
c. You should abey your parents. should Advice
d. I must work hard. must Necessity
e. May I come in? may Permission
f. Rama has to pay penalty. has to Compulsion

A2. Uses and Functions of MODALS:

Modals are used to suggest –
Permission Request Possibility Prohibition Ability Advice
Necessity Compulsion Suggestion Promise Intention Wish

A3. So, we can conclude that (Definition):

Modals are auxiliary verbs which are used to express the mood or attitude of a speaker.

A4. ANALYSIS OF MODALS: Page Reference:

No. Modals Of- Page
1. Permission: May, Can and Could 2
2. Possibility: May, Might, Could 2
3. Ability: Can, Could, Be able to 2
4. Necessity/Compulsion: Must, Need, Have/Had to, Have got to, Will have to 2
5. Prohibition: Needn't, Don't, Must not, Ought not to, Should not 3
6. Suggestion/Advice/Duty (Obligation): Should, Ought to, must 3
7. Request: Will, Shall, Would, Could, Won't, Can 3
8. Promise: Will, Shall 3
9. Wish: May 3
10. Challenge: Dare/Dare not 3
MODALS: Detailed Analysis
1. Permission: May. Can and Could
Modals Used To Mean Examples
May Formal/Polite Permission May I borrow your book, sir?
Can Informal Permission Can I borrow your book, friend?
Could Very Polite Permission Sir, could you grant a day's leave?

2. Possibility: May, Might, Could

Modals Used To Mean Examples
May Good Possibility It may rain any time at it's cloudy.
Might Weak Possibility Forecast says it might rain today.
Could Very Weak Possibility Being rainy season, it could rain any time.

3. Ability: Can, Could, Be able to

Modals Used To Mean Examples
Can Present (now) I can solve this. (Ability in the Present)
-Ability (It may also mean-I know how to solve this.)
Knowledge (It may mean-I got the opportunity to solve this.)
-Opportunity
Could Past/General -Ability When I was young, I could climb trees. (Past Ability)
-Knowledge Anyone could lift a feather. (General Ability)
-Opportunity He could start the innings. (Opportunity)
Be Able To Present (is/am/are) I am able to solve this. (Present Ability)
Past (was/were) They were able to solve this. (Past Ability)
Future (will/shall) You will be able to solve this. (Future Ability)

4. Necessity/Compulsion: Must, Need, Have to, Had to. Have got to, Will have to
Modals Used To Mean Examples
Must (Strong) Necessity/Compulsion I am getting late. I must take a cab. (N)
(Speaker's Desire) You must attend the programme. (C)
Need Necessity/Compulsion It's late I need to go home now. (N)
(Personal/External) I need to look after my ailing brother. (C)
Has/Have to Necessity/Compulsion He has to work harder for success. (N)
(External Compulsion) Motorcyclists have to wear helmets. (C)
Had to Necessity/Compulsion He had to cook his own food. (N)
(External Compulsion) I had to pay fine for breaking the law. (C)
Has/Have Got Necessity/Compulsion I have got to finish the work by evening. (N)
to (External Compulsion) I have got to pay the dues now. (C)
Will Have to Necessity/Compulsion I will have to buy some medicine. (N)
(External Compulsion) She will have to return the book. (C)

#Must-The speaker wants that something is done.

#Have to Some external authority/rule requires that something is done.

5. Prohibition: Needn't, Don't, Must not, Ought not to, Should not
Modals Used To Mean Examples
Needn't Lack of Necessity You needn't bring water. It's free.
Don't Strong Authoritative Prohibition Don't bring gadgets in the school.
Must not Speaker's Strong Prohibition Students mustn't bring mobiles.
Ought not to Suggested Prohibition We ought not disregard the weak.
Should not Suggested Prohibition We should not disobey our teachers.

6. Suggestion/Advice/Duty (Obligation): Should, Ought to

Modals Used To Mean Examples
Should Suggestion/Advice We should include Akhtar in the team. (W)
(It's Right/Wise/Social) She should try to reduce your weight. (R)
Ought to Suggestion/Advice/Moral Duty I ought to try to reduce my weight. (R)
(It's Right/Wise/Social+ Ethical) You ought to take care of your parents. (D)

7. Request: Will, Shall, Would, Could, Won't, Can,

Modals Used To Mean Examples
Will/Shall Request- Will you leave me alone, please?
Would/Could Request- Polite Would/Could you switch on the fan?
Won't Request Won't you have something to eat?
Can Request-Informal Can I have some tea?

8. Promise: Will, Shall

Modals Used To Mean Examples
Will Promise (With First Person) We will attend your birthday.
Shall Promise (With Second Person) You shall get a bat on your birthday.
Promise (With Third Person) They shall get all the concessions.

# In Modern English Grammar, 'WILL' is commonly used with all kinds of subjects;
As a result the force of promise in 'will' has almost disappeared. So, now we say:
We'll certainly attend your birthday.
We promise to attend your birthday.
Wish: May
May is normally used to express a WISH:
May God bless you with peace and contentment!
Challenge: Dare/Dare not
Modals Used To Mean Examples
Dare To Challenge Do you dare to challenge me in badminton?
To Accept Challenge I dare to challenge you in badminton.
Dare not To Challenge Dare not challenge me in badminton.
To Surrender I don't dare to challenge you in wrestling.