English Grammar II Modals II Modal Auxiliaries II Education II Knowledge

                                          MODALS

Can, Could, May, Might, Shall, Should, Must, Will, Would, Ought to, Used to, Need and Dare are called Modals or Modal Auxiliaries.

Example:-.   Neha can do this work.                                                            (Affirmative)
                          Neha can not do this work.                                                    (Negative)

                          Can Neha do this work?                                                          (Interrogative)

     

          Uses of the Modal Auxiliaries

Use of Can

1. To express ability which may be physical, mental or circumstantial:

1. I can do this work.
2. I can speak English.
3. He can face any trouble.
4. He can solve this problem within an hour.

2. To express possibility:

1. This news can be true.
2. This news can not be true.
3. Man can make mistakes.
4. He can be suitable for this post.

3. To express permission:

1. You can stay here.
2. Can I use your pen ?
3. You can go now.
4. Can I sit beside you ?

4. To express offer / request:

1. Can I bring you a chair to sit in ?                                                         (Offer)
2. Can I carry your bag ?                                                                              (Request)

5. To express phrasal Use of Can:

1. I can't help laughing.
2. She can't help singing.

6. To express habit or nature:

1. A pickpocket can spare none.
2. A fraudster can deceive any one.

7. To express purpose:

1. I read this book so that I can learn English correctly.
2. We work hard so that our children can become good citizens.

Use of Could

To express past ability:

1. He could get a job.
2. When I was young, I could eat twenty loaves of bread.

2. To express polite request:

1. Could I come in ?
2. Could you please post these letters ?

3. To express conditions:

1. If he were a minister, he could buy ab aeroplane.
2. He could help me, if I asked for it.

4. To express ability in the present or future:

1. You could of course do well if you study regularly.      (Future Tense)
2. You could solve this problem in no time.        (Present Tense)
3. Sorry, I couldn't help you now.                                   (Present Tense)

5. To express suggestion:

1. You could talk to the chairman in this regard.
2. You could write an application to the D.M. in this connection.

6. To express some phrasal uses of Could:

  1. I couldn't help going there.

Use of Must

1. To express Necessity / Compulsion in the Present:

1. I must go now.
2. You must vacate the room immediately.
3. He must consult a good doctor at once.

2. To express Necessity/Compulsion in the future:

1. I must go by the end of this month.
2. You must vacate the room by tomorrow.
3. I must complete it by tomorrow evening.

3. To express a Permanent Ruling or Prohibition:

1. We must follow the traffic rules.
2. We must not move in the wrong side of the road.

4. To express Emphatic Advice/Determination:

1. You must give up smoking.
2. We must crush the terrorists.

5. To express a Sense of Duty:

1. We must respect our elders.
2. We must serve our country.

6. To express Strong Possibility:

1. There must be something wrong.
2. There must be a mistake somewhere.
3. There must be a school in this area.
4. You must have heard the name of Gandhi ji.
5. You must have understood the feelings of your parents.

Use of Shall / Will

1. Shall/Will is used in the formation of Future Tense:

1. I shall read this book.
2. We shall go tomorrow.
3. You will open a medicine shop.
4. He will attend the function.
5. I will buy a new flat.
6. You shall do it.
7. Rahul says that he shall be a cricketer.
8. If you disobey the traffic rules, you shall be fined.
9. Shall I bring a glass of water for you ?
10. Shall we attend the meeting ?

Use of Should

1. To express Advice and Suggestion:

1. We should work hard.
2. You should take exercise daily.
3. You should speak the truth.

2. To express Moral Obligation:

1. We should help the poor and needy.
2. We should be obedient to our parents.
3. Students should respect their teachers.

3. To express Request/Very Formal Request:

1. I should like to have your pen.
2. I should like to have a little talk with you.

4. To express 'Purpose'

1. Work hard lest you should fail.
2. Speak slowly lest someone should hear you.

5. To express Requirement:

1. There should be a library in every village.
2. There should be one more table fan in this room.
3. There should be a guard to look after the house.

6. To express Condition:

1. Should it rain, I shall not go out.
2. Should he not come, what shall we do ?

7. To express a Wish politely:

1. I should like to resign the post.
2. I should like you to support me in this matter.

Use of Would

1. To express Past habits:

1. When I was a child my grandfather would tell stories every day.
2. Krishna would spin every morning.

2. To express Determination:

1. Whatever may happen, I would do it.
2. I would stand by you in any trouble.

I would never surrender before a criminal.

3. To express Polite Request:

1. Would you help me ?
2. Would you mind closing the door ?
3. I would like to ask a question.
4. Would you be so kind as to lend me your notebook for one day ?

4. To express Wish, Offer, Invitation, Preference, Choice:

1. I would like to say something.
2. I would rather die than beg.
3. I would prefer to fail than copy in the examination.

5. To express Unreal Condition:

1. If I were a bird, I would fly very high.
2. If you had worked hard, you would have passed.

6. To express Probability: 

1. He would be his father.
2. That would be a real terrorist.
3. She would be 30.

Use of Need / Dare

1. Use in Tense:

1. He needs money.
2. I needed your help.
3. He does not need my help.
4. He dares to face his enemy.
5. Does he dare to talk to the District Magistrate ?

2. Use as Modals in sentence:

1. You need not stay here.
2. It need not be necessary.
3. Need I help you ?
4. He dare not say so.
5. Dare you face the robbers ?
6. How dare you ?

Use of Ought to

1. To express Moral Responsibility, Social Binding:

1. We ought to labour hard.
2. Students ought to be polite.
3. We ought to love our country.

2. To express Advice:

1. You ought to consult a good doctor.
2. You ought to serve your country honestly.
3. The government ought to work for the poor.

3. To express Strong Possibility:

1. India ought to win the match.
2. He ought to be here by now.
3. This year farmers ought to get more returns.
4. He is a serious student, he ought to complete in the U.P.S.C. examination.

4. To express Moral Responsibility in the Past:

1. You ought to have completed the work.
2. You ought not to have wasted money.
3. Ought you not (to) have wasted money ?

Use of Used to

1. To express Habitual / Regular actions in the Past:

1. I used to walk 10 kilometres every day.
2. He used to come here every morning.
3. He used to a player.
4. I used to live in Kolkata.
5. He used not to drink wine.