Modal verbs express the speaker's personal attitude to the situation. There are 5 main modal verbs in English:
In addition to the modal verbs listed, there are several verbs in the English language that are suitable in meaning, but do not have all the properties of modal verbs. Among them: dare, need, ought to, etc.
The expression of personal attitude can be characterized as follows (from less intense to more intense):
Click on the arrows in the picture below to understand in what situations different groups of modal verbs are used.
Watch this video to finally structure your understanding of modal verbs in English.
Table. Modal verbs in English. Examples
| Modal verb | Example | Using a modal verb |
| CAN |
They can play baseball. You can take my umbrella. Can |
Skill, suggestion, request |
| BE ABLE TO | They are able to play baseball. | Skill |
| CAN"T | Jerry can't be in the library now - I have just seen him on the street. | Belief that something is impossible |
| COULD |
She could recite long poems when she was younger. Could do you make a cup of coffee for me? You could take my umbrella. |
Skill, suggestion, request |
| MAY |
It may be good to meet her at the airport. May I left earlier today? |
Probability, formal/formal request |
| MIGHT | It might be good to meet her at the airport. | Probability |
| MUST |
Children must read books every day. Look at the clouds - it must start raining in a minute. |
Commitment Confidence in the truth of something |
| HAVE TO | Children have to read books every day. | Commitment |
| NEED TO | These students need to take the exam at the end of the month. | Commitment |
| NEEDN"T | She needn"t sign this form. | Lack of obligation |
| MUSTN"T | Parents mustn"t leave their kids home alone. | Ban |
| DON'T HAVE TO | I don't have to come to work today. | Lack of obligation |
| SHOULD | He should see a doctor. | Opinion/Advice |
| OUGHT TO | He ought to see a doctor. | Opinion/Advice |
Modal verbs in the English language are a separate category, which is distinguished by certain features of use, characteristic norms for the formation of temporary constructions with them and specific meanings. The main difference between modal verbs and regular action words is that they do not represent action; the concept of modality provides, first of all, the attitude of the speaker to a particular situation, expressed by the infinitive. It is no secret that any modal is invariably followed by an impersonal verb form, and with some modals not only Indefinite, but also Perfect, Continuous or Perfect Continuous Infinitive are used.
In order to describe the main features that modal verbs of the English language have, you should pay attention to the rules of their use and formation, describe the main functions that these words perform, and also give examples of sentences with them.
As already mentioned, modal verbs denote an attitude towards a particular action expressed through an infinitive. In addition to the most popular modal verbs - can, may, must - there are others. Modals (the list of modal verbs includes 12 structures) have the typical features that grammar provides: they are able to independently form questions and negations without resorting to auxiliary words, and always require an infinitive after themselves.
One of the characteristic features is the presence of bare infinitive after modals. The use of to after modal verbs is completely atypical; however, there are three basic words after which these particles are always used: have to, to be to, ought to.
Note: two modals – need and dare – have separate conditions where the bare infinitive rule does not always work. Need, being a British English word, is generally not modal and is used as a regular word; but if we are talking about American English verbs, then the word will be modal. The modal verb dare has a slightly different feature: in principle, it can be both modal (most relevant for interrogative sentences) and non-modal (often observed in negatives). Here are some examples of such sentences with translation:
· You needn’t go there today – Today you don’t need to go there (need here is full)
· You didn’t need to go there – You didn’t need to go there (needed as a simple action)
· How dare you speak to me? - How dare you talk to me? (dare – modal)
· He didn’t dare to speak to me - He didn’t dare to talk to me (simple verb)
In questions with modal verbs, these words usually come first, and no auxiliary words appear in the sentence:
· Can you come tomorrow? -Can you come tomorrow?
· Should he complete this task? – Should he finish this task?
Negative sentences with modal verbs also differ from ordinary ones: the particle not, as a rule, is added directly to the modal, and not to the helping word:
· You mustn’t smoke here! -You can't smoke here!
· She needn’t work as her parents father is rich – She doesn’t need to work, since her father is rich
Note: in addition to need and dare, have to is also special from a grammatical point of view. The fact is that, despite its status, in a sentence it is used in the form of a simple semantic action:
· Did you have to read the whole article? – Did you have to read the whole article?
· He didn’t have to repeat his words again - He didn’t have to repeat his words again
However, this form should not be confused with the American analogue have got to, which, although it coincides with have to in meaning, is grammatically a full-fledged modal:
· Have you got to overwork? – Do you have to work overtime?
· She hadn’t got to visit a doctor - She didn’t have to go to the doctor
Depending on the meaning attached to a particular modal verb, they are usually divided into special groups.
Modal verbs of deduction are those English action words that serve to display an assumption about a topic. Modals of deduction include such as can (could), may (might), should. Here are examples of modal verbs of this category in sentences:
· It can be a postman, but I’m not sure – It could be a postman, but I’m not sure
· She might be coming home right now – She might be coming home right now
As you can see, modals of deduction can be used not only with Indefinite, but also with other forms of the infinitive. For example, with this modal Perfect Infinitive can talk about an assumption with an emphasis on the past:
He might have left his home many years ago - Perhaps he left his home many years ago
Modals of probability reflect a situation when the speaker makes an assumption regarding a particular situation. The verb used in such a function means the possibility of performing an action. The most common words in this case are can and may:
· You can find the book you need in the bookcase – You can find the book you need in the closet
· You may meet her every evening walking with her child – You can meet her every evening walking with her child
Note: Modals of possibility also include the often forgotten to be to. Its only peculiarity is that in the probability function the infinitive that follows it is used exclusively in the passive:
Many children are to be met in this house – Many children can be found in this house
Words expressing obligation and prohibition are those that are associated with orders, prohibitions, and obligations. This category includes quite a few forms, and the verbal meaning of each of them is special:
· You mustn’t leave the room! -You can't leave the room!
· You are not to go there until he orders – You cannot go there until he says
· He shall go away immediately! - He will leave immediately!
These modal words in English have a meaning that expresses desire. The most striking words in this category are shall and will, which are not always modals and, as is known, often act as auxiliary words. However, in a modal sense they occur in the following examples:
· We shall support our people – We want to support our people
· You may cry if you will – You can cry if you want
Conjugation of modal verbs is a nuance that deserves special attention. Modal verbs in the past tense can be used, and quite often (could, might, was to/were to). But these past modals are in the minority, since it is impossible to form the past tense with others.
Modals are also not used in the future tense; In most cases, in order to express the Future, it is customary to use the original forms. The exception is, perhaps, the pair shall and will, which in principle are associated with the future tense, as well as must, which has equivalents - to be likely to and to be sure to (“surely”, “exactly”).
To express past meaning, you cannot do without the perfect. Such an infinitive, however, is not typical for all words: have to, shall, will/would, and dare do not have it.
Modal verbs are also especially used in indirect speech. As you know, a typical feature of this grammatical phenomenon is a shift of tenses down one level. But while this can actually be done with some modals (can – could, may – might), many do not have a past form. However, even in this case, the structure can sometimes change: for example, must in Reported Speech turns into have to:
“You must work to earn money,” he said – He said that I had to work to earn money – He said that I must work to earn money
Some modals can sometimes be replaced by other structures that are similar in meaning. Modal verbs and their equivalents, as it becomes clear, do not coincide in form, but in terms of meaning they are almost equivalent. Below is a table of modal verbs with all their possible equivalents:
When using modal verbs in English, it is important to remember not only what these constructions are, but also what meaning they carry and what function they perform in the sentence and in the text. A video lesson that presents the basic modal units can help you learn the basic modals. This video contains information about possible forms of modals, as well as translation features. Do not forget that knowing the number of such words is not enough; it is much more important to navigate forms and meanings in order to actively use them in speech.
Modal verbs in English, these are verbs that in themselves do not denote an action or state, but reflect, as they say in textbooks, “the speaker’s attitude towards the action.”
What does it mean? Let's take the verb can(to be able to do something) - in itself it does not denote an action or state, like the verbs “fly”, “see”, “get scared”. But in combination with another verb it denotes the same attitude to action - in this case it is ability perform an action.
I can fix your TV in two minutes – I Can fix your TV in two minutes.
I can swim in cold water – I Can swim in cold water.
Modal verbs include:
Note: This article covers the most common modal verbs.
Modal verbs are used VERY often in spoken and written speech. Especially - it is one of the 10 most common verbs in the English language (see) and almost no conversation can take place without it.
In addition to the basic meanings, it is useful to know the basic nuances of using modal verbs. For example, in the phrase “You must help Bill” verb must expresses an obligation: “You must help Bill.” And in the sentence “You must be Bill” the same must has a completely different meaning: “You must be Bill.”
Modal verbs are a special group of verbs (fortunately, very small in number) that live according to their own separate rules. Here are their main features.
1. Modal verbs in English are used with a semantic verb in, and the particle to is not placed between verbs.
Right:
Wrong:
2. Modal verbs are not conjugated, no endings are added to them, including the ending -s in the third person singular.
Right:
Wrong:
3. Modal verbs are not used in the future tense with an auxiliary verb.
In most cases, modal verbs can refer to action in the future, this becomes clear from the context.
4. The verbs can and may have past tense forms.
These forms are respectively:
I also note that should is the past tense form of a modal verb shall, which is used quite rarely in modern English, see.
5. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - the modal verb is placed before the subject:
6. The negative form is formed with the help of the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb (and is written together with the verb can). In colloquial speech, negative forms are usually shortened.
Note:
Mustnot has not the opposite must meaning. For example:
You must not- does not mean “must not”, that is, “you have no obligation” (here “you don’t have to”), but “you cannot”, “you are prohibited”, “forbidden”. In Russian, sentences with a prohibition expressed as must not are often translated into impersonal sentences.
May not also has the meaning of prohibition, but softer than must not.
Cannot can mean both physical impossibility, inability, and a ban in a mild form.
Modal verbs have non-modal synonyms that are conjugated according to general rules.
These are the synonyms:
Modal verbs are considered insufficient - this means that they do not have future tense forms, some (must) do not have past tense forms. Using synonyms you can replace missing forms of modal verbs.
| Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|
| I can fly / I am able to fly | I could fly / I was able to fly | I will be able to fly |
| I must go / I have to go | I had to go | I will have to go |
| I may ask / I am allowed to ask | I might ask / I was allowed to ask | I will be allowed to ask |
Replacing a modal verb with a synonym is not entirely complete and accurate. For example, must can mean moral necessity, duty, and have to can mean forced necessity.
I must help my parents. - I must help your parents (duty, obligation).
My colleague is being late for the meeting, I have to wait for him. – My colleague is late for a meeting, I must(I have to) wait for him.
The verb can is used for:
Can is used in the present and future tenses, and could in the past tense.
Present tense:
I can show you new world - I Can show you a new world.
I can't believe it! – I can not believe it!
In interrogative form the request is:
Can I help you? - Can can I help you?
Can do you do me a favour? - You you can do me a favor?
Sentences with the negative form can’t can express not only impossibility, but also a prohibition:
You can't move this stone. - You can not move this stone (it's too heavy).
You can't walk on the grass. – It is forbidden walking on the grass (this is prohibited).
Past tense:
He could play guitar - He knew how to play the guitar.
I couldn't forgive him - I couldn't forgive him.
Interrogative sentences with could express a polite request towards a second person. More polite than with can.
Could do you pass me that book? – Could you will you pass me that book?
Future– the verb can does not change in any way, its relation to the future is clear from the context:
I can talk to you later. - I I can (I can) talk to you later.
James can fix your car tomorrow. – James may (can) fix your car tomorrow.
This combination is also used in negative sentences when the speaker does not believe, does not allow the possibility that the action actually happened. When translating such phrases into Russian, the words “can’t be”, “couldn’t”, “really” are usually used.
Lara cannot have done it! – Lara I could not such do!
No, he cannot have said it! - No he could not such say!
Can she have said it? – Really she is said?
You must be Peter - You, there must be, Peter.
These must be his footsteps - This, there must be, his traces.
You should have turned left! - You had to turn left! (and turned right)
You should have seen this place! - You needed to see this place! (but you didn’t see)
At the verb should there is also the meaning “in theory should”, that is, there is some expected, intended action, but it may not be carried out. In this case, the turnover is more often used be supposed to.
I should (am supposed to) be at work now, but the show is so damn interesting – I must be (supposedly) at work now, but this series is damn interesting.
Doctors say that we should (are supposed to) exercise if we want to stay healthy – Doctors say that we need to(we are supposed to) exercise to stay healthy.
In present and future tense
You may do what you want – You can do what you want (present tense).
You may play with your friends later. – You can play with your friends later (future tense)
May I ask you a question? – Can(may I) ask you a question?
In a negative form may not expresses a prohibition:
You may not play with them. - You it is forbidden playing with them (I forbid it).
In the past time to express permission, it is not the verb might that is used (it expresses an assumption, see below), but the phrase be allowed to- have permission.
I was allowed to continue working on my project. - To me allowed continue working on my project.
We were not allowed to wear uniform. - Us not allowed wear a uniform.
The verb used to make a guess is may or might, in this case it is translated as “possibly”, “maybe”, etc. The difference between may and might is that may expresses the speaker’s greater confidence in the assumption. However, this difference may be highly context dependent or may not be significant.
Present and future tense
Scheme: May / might + infinitive (without to)
You might know that place – You, Maybe, you know this place (present tense).
He may visit us tonight – He, May be, will visit us in the evening (future tense).
Past tense:
Scheme: May / might + have + Past Participle
She might have forgotten the documents at home. - She, maybe I forgot documents at home.
I may have seen you before. - I, may have seen you before.
In the grammar section of Puzzle English there are several video lessons on the topic of modal verbs, here is the first one: “The Verb Can”.
By going to the “Grammar” section on the Puzzle English service, you can watch the rest of the video lessons (they are available for free), as well as complete the exercises.
Learning English is impossible without delving into the topic of modal verbs, which are used in constructing complex and simple sentences. In the article we will tell you what a modal verb is, how to use it correctly in various vocabulary constructions, and form declarative and interrogative phrases..
Modal Verbs are a separate part of the English language that works according to its own rules that differ from regular and irregular verbs. To avoid confusing English modal verbs with anything else, they should be memorized. Teachers introduce students to a table that tells about the rules of application and the role in the sentence.
If we talk about the differences between regular and irregular verbs, they differ in the principle of formation of the past tense. The peculiarity of regular forms is the formation of their characteristic ending -ed. Incorrect ones completely change their structure: ending, root, prefix.
Verbs are also classified into main and auxiliary. The main ones perform an important lexical role and talk about a certain action. Easily and organically translated into Russian. Auxiliaries complement them and are responsible for grammatical functions. They have no analogues in Russian.
All modal verbs in English can be compared to auxiliary verbs; they have a complementary function, but a more significant one. According to the rules, modal verbs express the relationship of the subject in the action inherent in the sentence or phrase.
The main feature of modal verbs in English is the conveyance of the attitude of the main character to what is happening. There are 5 modal verbs that should be memorized:
There are also additional verbs that can also be classified as modal, but they partially have their properties. These are the formsdare, ought to, need and others. Now about the formats in which modal verbs are used. Characteristics of expressions:
Forms of modal verbs are actively used in live speech. Therefore, if you want to achieve a level of fluency in English, pay special attention to this topic.
There are no clearly defined rules when it comes to changing the structure of verbs. Only some modal forms are subject to declension. So, for example, can is used in constructions of the present and past tenses; it is not applicable for the future. The same situation with the verb may is used in all tenses except Future. But this does not mean that forms are not suitable for expressing thoughts in the future tense. To express thoughts in the sentence structure, will is added.
If we talk about the arrangement of modal verbs in a sentence, there are a number of rules that need to be followed in constructing phrases. In statement expressions, modal verbs are used before the verb responsible for a specific action and after the main noun. When negated, the particle not must be added to the verb (exception - have to). In an interrogative sentence, a change of positions is required - the modal verb, contrary to the rules of placement in affirmative constructions, comes before the noun, replacing the auxiliary verb.
In order to freely express your thoughts and emotionally color your speech structure, you should remember the most commonly used modal verbs, which will help you correctly compose affirmative, interrogative, and incentive sentences, or express a request or wish. We take note: must, can, may, ought to, need, should, to be able to, have to, manage to.
Now about the rules for using modal forms. Remember three main ones:
Examples:
You should look for another way out. -You ought to find another way.
I have to go, it's late. -I need to go, it's late.
Students must follow university rules.Students must follow university rules.
You must complete this task by tomorrow evening. -You have to do this task till tomorrow evening.
Translated into Russian, this verb means “I can, I can,” and can convey the meaning of a certain skill. Can is used in the present tense, could - in the past. To construct a sentence in the future tense, the form will be able to is used.
Examples:
Two years ago I saw much better. -I could see much better two years ago.
I can draw very well because I had a good teacher. -I can draw very well, because I had very good teacher.
Explain the problem, we can help you. -We will be able to help you, explain the problem.
When constructing a negative sentence, the particle not is added to the modal verb:
The students could not prepare for this competition. -Students couldn`t be ready for this competition.
I can't find my keys in this mess. -I can't find my keys in this mess.
If you want to correctly construct a question with a modal verb, just swap the words. The subject moves to the background, and the modal verb itself comes to the fore.
Students of our school must follow the Charter. -Pupils of our school must follow the Regulation.
The opposite meaning takes on the form must not:
Your family shouldn't move to another city. -Your family must not move in another town.
In interrogative phrases, must becomes the beginning of a sentence:
Should tigers be kept in cages? -Must the tigers be kept in the cages?
The command tone is lost with the appearance of the particle be:
It must be noisy living in the center of a big city. -It must be noisy to live in the center of the big city.
Examples:
You should stay with him while he is sick. -You should stay with him while he"s sick.
To express negation, a combination with the particle not is used:
You shouldn't spend a lot of time on the computer. -You shouldn't spend a lot of time at the computer.
The same rules apply to the construction of interrogative sentences. Modal verbs come to the fore:
Should we take a vacation in May? -Should we take a vacation in may?
Should this driver slow down? - Should this driver slow down?
These verbs express uncertainty and are translated as “may, may.” In the present tense we use may, in the past tense we use might.
Examples:
He might have had lunch. -He might be having lunch.
This may be true. -It may be true.
I can be the best student in college. -I may be one of the best students in this college.
To introduce negation into a construction, the particle not is traditionally used:
It can not be true! -It may not be truth!
We form an interrogative sentence according to the standard rule: we start with a modal verb:
Can I sit on the chair? -May I sit on a chair?
The form is used in the sense of “to be able, to be able.” The difference from could is that it is situational and is used in certain cases:
The water came in very quickly, but everyone managed to get into the boat. -The water came very fast, but all managed to get in the boat.
We lost the puppy, but then we were able to find him. -We lost the puppy, but then we could find him.
In interrogative sentences:
Can my baby put on his shoes without your help? - Kid was able to put on shoes without your help?
In negative constructions:
I was unable to complete this work on time. -I didn't manage to do this work on time.
Directly translated into Russian, this verb means “to need.” It is considered one of the most common in the English language. Here are examples that are often found in real life:
I need to meet you tonight. -I need to get up with you tonight.
Mom needs help, put things aside and pay attention to her. -Mom needs help, put things down, and pay attention to her.
When using negative forms, you are faced with a choice: the particle not, which is familiar to modal verbs, or the auxiliarydo/does/did. Examples:
You don't need to spend extra money on gifts. -You do not need to spend extra money on gifts.
You do not need to write letters to this address. -You needn`t write letters to this address
When structuring a question phrase, the above auxiliary verbs come first:
Do you need time to get ready for a walk? -Do you need time to get ready for a walk?
Practice using modal verbs in practice. Teachers recommend communicating more with native speakers. If this is not possible, find someone to talk to on Skype.
Modal verbs in English belong to a special group of verbs. They denote the possibility, ability, necessity and probability of an action.
Modal verbs in English are not used independently, but in combination with the infinitive of the main semantic verb, they are not followed by a particle to(exception is ought).
I can do it. - I can do it.
You ought to be there. – You should be there.
Verbs can And may have the form of present and past tense could, might. Verbs must, ought And need They only have the form of the present tense.
Modal verbs in English have the same form for all persons and numbers. The interrogative form is formed without auxiliary verbs. The negative form is formed using a particle not.
I can't do it. - I can't do this.
May I use your phone? – Can I use your phone?
There are relatively few modal verbs in English and each of them has its own meaning.
I can type very fast. – I can type very quickly.
Can they arrive tomorrow? - Will they really arrive tomorrow?
I could type very fast. – I could type very quickly.
If I had much money I could buy a new car. – If I had a lot of money, I could buy a car.
You may use my phone. – You can use my phone.
He may know her. “Perhaps he knows her.”
He might know her. – He may know her (or maybe not).
You must do it. - You have to do this.
It must be him. - It must be him.
You mustn"t touch it. - You are forbidden to touch it.
He didn't want to help me. - He must help me.
Need I do it? – Do I need to do this?
No, you don't need to do it. - No, you don’t need to do this.
My friend is to call you tomorrow. – My friend should call you tomorrow.
