Use of Modals

CHART: USE OF MODALS

MODALS: Modals is helping verb which represent the attitude of subject.

Modals Verbs: can, could, may, might, shall, will, should, would, must, ought to, need, dare, used to

ModelVerb Can May

Its Use Ability,power,capcity,asking question or giving answer Possibility, asking/giving permission , purpose

Examples I can speak well. He can lift this log. She can drink 1 kg milk. Can I smoke here? No, you can’t. It may rain today. May I go home now? Yes, you may go. We walk so that we may be healthy. May you live long!

Note: Could and Might are past form of can and may.

Should

Advice,duty,suggestion

You should work hard. All students should obey their teachers. We should take some rest now.

Note: Should is the past form of shall.

Would

Wish, polite request, determination, past routines/habits

Would that he were our prime minister! Would that he were our leader! Would you have a cup of tea with me? I would be selected in C.P.M.T this year. He would come late every day.

               

Note: Would is the past form of will.

Must Ought to Used to Need Dare Shall and Will

Compulsion, necessity, certainty, guess Moral duty or obligation Discontinued habit of the past Necessity/obligation Be brave enough to/challenge (1)Pure future (for the future we use shall with first person and other we use will). (2) We use shall for represent command, promise or threat with 2 ND and 3rd person and will use determination, promise with 1st person.

He must consult a doctor to recover soon. You must have a good friend. You must reach there by 9p.m. The mother must be in the kitchen. You ought to respect your elders. Sheela ought to be in some difficulties. My father used to smoke very much when he was young. He need not go there. Do you need to go now? He dare not take bribe. He doesn’t dare deceive to me. I shall go to Kanpur tomorrow. Tomorrow it will be holiday. He shall not repeat this mistake. (Command) You shall have a cheque tomorrow. (promise) They shall be fined for this mischief.              (threat) I will help you as much as I can.                                         (promise) We will do or die for motherland. (determination).