Modal Verbs and Their Functions
This comprehensive guide explores the various uses and meanings of modal verbs in English grammar. The content covers both present and past forms, along with their specific applications in different contexts.
Definition: Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express possibility, permission, ability, obligation, or necessity.
Highlight: Modal verbs can express different levels of certainty, from absolute certainty must to possibility might/may.
Example: "He must be at home" 99 vs. "He might be at home" lesscertain
Key modal verbs and their functions:
CAN/COULD:
- Expresses ability, possibility, and requests
- Used for polite requests and past ability
MUST/HAVE TO:
- Indicates necessity and obligation
- Used for strong beliefs and deductions
MAY/MIGHT:
- Shows possibility and polite requests
- Used for seeking permission
Vocabulary: Modal perfects combine modal verbs with 'have + past participle' to discuss past possibilities couldhavedone,musthavebeen
Quote: "Modal verbs of deduction help express varying degrees of certainty about past and present situations."
The guide also covers negative forms mustn′t,can′t and alternatives beableto,needto, providing a complete overview of modal verb usage in English grammar.
