Modal Verbs (Part I)

UOE SESSION

• ​Nine central modal auxiliary verbs are used to express modality: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must.

• Modal verbs have invariant forms taking the roles of auxiliary verbs. They cannot be marked for tense or person.

• ​They precede the negative particle not in negation and precede the subject in yes/no questions.

UOE SESSION

• They ar​e followed in the verb phrase by a bare infinitive verb.

• ​In academic writing, modal verbs cannot co-occur with each other.

• The following is a list of semi-modal verbs: need to, have to, used to, had better, be supposed to, be going to (can be marked for tense and person).

• Semi-modal verbs can co-occur with modal verbs, e.g. ​You might need to get up quickly.

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UOE SESSION

• Some modal verbs can be used to make time distinctions even though they are not formally marked for tense.

​Examples:

1. Look at the bright sun. It is goi​ng to be hot.

2. ​I promise I will do it soon.

3. I think we can go shopping today.

4. ​In 1971, he thought he could help her mother recover from that illness.

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UOE SESSION

• Modals and semi-modals can be grouped into three major categories according to their main meanings:

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​Permission/ possibility/ ability: can, could, may, might;

Obligation/ necessity: must, should, (had) better, have (got) to, need to, ought to, be supposed to​;

Volition/ prediction: ​will, would, shall, be going to

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UOE SESSION

• Pages 66-69

1. He is able to speak Japanese. CAN

2. I'm sure this is the place we are looking for. MUST

3. I'm sure this isn't the place we are looking for. CAN'T

4. Perhaps she works a lot. MIGHT

5. You are allowed to take pictures in this castle. COULD

6. It’s forbidden to smoke in here. MUSTN'T

7. You had better exercise every day. SHOULD

UOE SESSION