3.4 Modal Auxiliaries

 

MODAL AUXILIARIES

An Auxiliary is a helping verb. A Modal Auxiliary is a helper verb that helps the main verb express some meaning like ability, possibility, obligation, etc. The Modal Auxiliaries-or Modals-do not change their form according to the number or person of the subject. Some of the Modal Auxiliaries are : can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to and used to. e.g. (1) Can I come in? (Permission) (2) He can speak English well. (Ability) (3) Could I use your telephone ? (Permission) (4) May I come in? (Permission) (5) It may rain this evening. (Possibility) (6) It might rain this evening. (Possibility) (7) I shall see that you do the work. (Ability) (8) You should eat nutritious food. (Advice) (9) I will learn to swim, however difficult it is. (Determination) (10) I would go for a swim every morning in my childhood. (Past habit) (11) You must wear a helmet when you ride a bike. (Compulsion) (12) You must respect your elders. (Obligation) (13) We ought to love our parents. (Obligation) (14) I used to live in a village when I was small. (Past habit) (15) I dare not tell her the truth. (Courage)  (16) You needn't give any money now. (Absence of obligation) (17) I have to take this medicine daily. (Obligation)

    Sample Questions

  1. Choose the correct modal auxiliary to fill in the blank, according to

  the type given in the brackets :

   You ......... obey the laws of the country. (Compulsion) 

     (1) would     (2) shall 

     (3) should   (4) must

  Explanation : 'Must is used to express compulsion. Hence option (4) is the answer.

 2. Choose the two correct options according to the type given in the

     brackets : ......... I go for the football practice now? (Permission)

     (1) Would    (2) May   

     (3) Can   (4) Should   

Explanation : May' and 'Can' both indicate permission. Hence options (2) and (3) are the answers.