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Modals

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Modals

grammar

Uploaded by

amogh biyal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modals

MODALS
Auxiliaries (helping verb) that express the mode or manner of the action denoted by the main verb
are called Modals. They express ideas like ability or capacity, probability or possibility, permission,
command, compulsion, duty, obligation etc. They are will, shall, can, may, would, should, could,
might, must, ought (to), need (to), dare. They form their negatives by putting not after them and
interrogatives by putting them before the subject.

FEATURES OF MODALS

⁃ Modals are always used with a main verb, not alone.


⁃ They never change their form.
⁃ They are always followed by only the base form of the verb.
MODAL USAGE EXAMPLE

Shall 1. Used with I and We to I shall buy this book.


express Simple future. We shall play cricket.
2. To know the will of the Shall I join you?
person addressed. Shall we go home now?
3. Used with II and III You shall do it now. (command).
person in order to You shall be punished for this.( threat)
express a command, You shall promise to get a bike if you stand first.
threat, promise or
determination.

Will 1. With II and III person to He will go to Delhi.


express simple future. I will follow what you say.(promise)
2. With I person to express I will meet you today.(certainty)
promise, certainty, I will teach you a lesson.(threat)
willingness,
determination or threat.

Should 1. Used as past tense of She said that I should attend her wedding.
Shall. You should keep your promise.
2. To express duty or
obligation.
MODAL USAGE EXAMPLE

Would 1. To express future in past. He said that he would go to a movie.


2. Frequent or habitual actions in past. He would visit the zoo every month.
3. Polite request. Would you lend me your pen, please?
4. To express unreal conditions or wish. Would that I were a king!
5. Imagined result or imagined condition. Had he worked hard, he would have passed.

Can 1. To show the ability. I can lift this box.


2. To grant permission. You can go home now.
3. To express a possibility. He can spoil the matter.

Could 1. To express past tense of can. She could draw when she was five years old.
2. To express ability, power, possibility in past. If he had money, he could purchase a house.
MODAL USAGE EXAMPLE

May 1. To seek permission. May I come in, Sir?


2. To express a possibility. It may rain in the evening.
3. To express a purpose. We work hard so that we may earn money.
4. To express a wish or prayer. May God bless you!

Might 1. To express purpose in the past. He worked hard so that he might pass.
2. To express a doubtful or remote possibility. He has not told me but he might come.
3. To express a speculation. He might have gone to Delhi.

Must 1. To express duty. You must learn your lesson.


2. To express compulsion. You must abide by the law.
3. To express advice. You must tell the truth.
4. To express a possibility. He must be very rich.
MODAL USAGE EXAMPLE

Ought (to) 1. To express moral duty or social obligation. We ought to respect the old people.

Used to 1. To express the habits of past. When I was in Shimla, I used to go for a walk in the
evening.

Need (to) 1.To express necessity or obligation Do you need to go now?


One needs to be careful.
Need I write to him?

Dare 1. To express courage He dare not take such a step.


He doesn’t dare speak to me.
I. Choose the correct modal verb to fill in the blank.
1. I think it ________ rain today.
(A) shall
(B) may
(C) might
(D) ought to

2. It is a rule and you ________ obey it strictly.


(E) should
(F) could
(G) must
(H) need to

3. Choose the correct alternative for underline part Would you like to have some water?
(I) Do
(J) Shall
(K) Can
(L) No improvement

4. ________ I come in?


(M)May
(N) Will
(O) Can
(P) Should

5. ________ you play with us?


(Q) May
(R) Will
(S) Shall
(T) Can
II. Choose the correct modal verb to fill in the blank.
1. I ________ swim across the river when I was young.
(A) could
(B) can
(C) should
(D) must

2. It ________ not surprise you if you were eyed coldly by the conductor.
(E) may
(F) shall
(G) will
(H) would

3. If you had not been there, I ________ differently.


(I) might have acted
(J) may act
(K) might acted
(L) may have acted

4. If you read newspapers, you ________ notice that there is definite space for letters.
(A) would
(B) could
(C) will
(D) might

5. You ________ obey the advice of your teacher.


(E) could
(F) are
(G) should
(H) can
ANSWER KEY
I. Choose the correct modal verb to fill in the blank.
1. (B) may (strong possibility)
2. (C) must (obligation)
3. (D) No improvement
4. (A) May (permission)
5. (B) Will (simple future)

II. Choose the correct modal verb to fill in the blank.


1.(A) Could (ability in past)
2.(D) would (denote condition)
3.(A) might have acted (uncertainty)
4.(C) will (promise)
5.(C) should (duty)

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