USE OF MODALS

What are Modal Auxiliaries?

 These are verbs which are used with main verbs like - Will, Would, Shall, Should,
Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Have to/Had to, Ought, Need, etc.
 These verbs are used to express ideas like the possibility, permission, necessity,
obligation etc.
 Modal verbs have only one form [They have no to-infinitive form, -ing form,
past form or - ed form. Modal verbs do not change form for tense or person.]

1.Use of ‘CAN’
(a) to show the Ability to do something.
He can solve this sum.
(b) to seek or grant Permission in an Informal trimmer.
You can go home now.
Can I have an ice-cream mother?
(c) to express a Possibility.
The use of ‘can’ usually shows a theoretical possibility i.e., the possibility of a certain
happening.
Pets can be very troublesome.

2. ‘Use of ‘COULD’
(a) to express the past tense of ‘Can’
My uncle could speak five languages.
(b) to express Ability in the past.
I could swim across the river when I was young.
(c) to express the Possibility.
He could write in neat hand if he chose.
(d) ‘Could’ is used to seek Permission or make a Polite Request.
Could you lend me your book for a day?
Could you postpone the meeting for two days?

3. ‘Use of ‘MAY’
(a) to speak or grant Permission
May I leave now?
Note: We can use ‘can’ to seek or grant permission. But, the use of ‘May’ is considered
more formal and more polite.
(b) to express a ‘Factual’ Possibility – the possibility of a fact.
The government may take steps to check rising prices..
(c) to express a Purpose.
We eat that we may live.
(d) to express a Wish
May his soul rest in peace!
4. Use of ‘MIGHT`
(a) to express the past tense of ‘May’.
I was afraid that if I asked him again he might refuse it
(b) to express a Doubtful Possibility, i.e., something which is possible, but not very
likely.
He has not promised, but he might come.
(c)To show purpose.
He worked hard so that he might win.

5. Use of ‘WILL’
(a) ‘Will’ is used with the second person and the third person to form Future Tense.
You will get promotion in due course.
(b) ‘Will’ is used with the first person to express Willingness and Offer.
I will supply the things you need.
(c) to express Determination.
I will mend my ways.
(d) to express Promise and Intention.
We will give him a warm reception.
(e) to express a Threat.
I will have him punished.
(f) to express a Polite Request.
Win you type this letter for me?
(g) to inquire about the Intention, Willingness and Wish of the person spoken to.
Will you accompany me to the railway station?
Will he agree to my proposal?

6. Use of ‘SHALL’
(a) ‘Shall’ is used with the first person to express Simple Future,

I shall see him some time.

(b) ‘Shall’ is used with the second person and the third person to express a Command.
He shall report for duty tomorrow.
(c) ‘Shall’ is used with the second person and the third person to express a Threat.
He shall be punished for his misbehaviour.
(d) ‘Shall’ is used with the second person and the third person to give a Promise or an
Assurance.
Ask for a reward and you shall have it.
(e) ‘Shall’ is used in questions with the first person to know what the person addressed
Wishes or Suggests or Thinks.
Shall we dance?
Shall I make a cup of tea for you?
7. ‘Use of WOULD’
(a) ‘Would’ is used to refer to the Past form of ‘win’ and ‘shall’
He said that he would look into the matter himself.
(b) ‘Would’ is used to express happenings or actions that were frequent or occurred
from time to time.
Every Sunday he would visit his uncle.
(c) ‘Would’ is used to express a Suggestion or Polite Request.
Would you lend me your book?
(d) ‘Would’ is used in conditional sentences to express the Imagined Result of an
imagined or supposed condition.
If I were you, I would help him.
(e) The expression ‘would like to is used to express a wish or preference.
I would like to ask you for a favour.
I would rather starve than beg.
(f) I would’ is used to express a Hopeless Wish.
If only it would stop raining.
The sentences express a wish that is not likely to be fulfilled.
(g) ‘Would’ is used after wish when the wish concerns the future action of another
person.
I wish he would behave properly.
(h) ‘Would’ is used to express an enquiry about someone’s wish.
Would you like to have a cup of coffee?

8. Use of ‘SHOULD’
(a) ‘Should’ is used to give Advice.
This advice may be given to a particular person, or it may be a general statement of
what is good.
You should not buy that house.
(b) ‘Should’ is used to express a Duty or a Moral Obligation.
You should pay taxes in time.
Note: ‘Should’ is less forceful than ‘must’. It does not imply compulsion or command
The Statement with should is more like advice than a command.
(c) ‘Should’ is used in written instructions to express a Polite Command.
Candidate should write on either side of the page.
(d) ‘Should’ is used to express a Probable Condition.
Should he work hard he will pass.
(e) ‘Should’ is used in conditional sentences to express a Supposition.
If it should rain, we shall cancel the party.
9. ‘Use of ‘MUST’
(a) ‘Must’ is used to express Duty, Compulsion, Necessity and Obligation.
You must clear the dues before the 10 of March. (Compulsion)
We must hurry. We are very late. (Necessity)
It is getting pretty dark, I must leave or home. (Duty)
We must devote some time to social service. (Obligation)
(b) ‘Must’ is used to express an Emphatic Advice.
You must inform the police of the accident.
(c) ‘Must’ is used to express some Strong Possibility, i.e., Certainty.
You must be dreaming!
Note 1: ‘Must not’ express a prohibition.
Candidates mustn’t write their names on the answer books.
Note 2: The Past Tense of ‘must’ (to express certainty or inference is ‘must have’ e.g.,
Mohan must have passed. He had been working quite hard.
Note 3: The Past Tense of ‘must’ (to express necessity) is ‘had to’ e.g., The candidates
had to appear for an interview after the written lest.

Exercise (Class work)

Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:
(i) We must obey our teachers, (have to, must)
(ii) She ought to pass this time, (ought to, has to)
(iii) He need not buy a car. (has to, need)
(iv) He works hard lest he should fail, (should, must)
(v) Do you have to cook your own meal? (should, have to)
(vi) The villagers had to use kerosene lamps a few years ago. (must, had to)
(vii) The old lady should take a bath every day before taking meals, (ought to, should)
(viii) She must finish this work before I go. (has to, must)
(ix) Ramesh said that they should report for duty on Monday, (should, ought to)
(x) We ought to prepare our lessons well before examination, (ought to, must)

Homework Exercise
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:
(i) We………….. pay attention to our studies, (ought to, should)
(ii) You………………not litter the classroom, (should, could)
(iii) She……………. pass this time, (ought to, has to)
(iv) They will…………… clear all the doubts before the starting of meeting, (have to, had to)
(v) He…………….. take those medicines to get better, (has to, had to)
(vi) You………………. consult a physician, (should, ought to)
(vii) You…………….. exercise daily, (ought to, need)
(viii) They……………. not send the letter now. (need, would)
(ix) Sahii ran fast so that he…………… catch the train, (should, needs)
(x) You……………… not use the office phone for private calls, (must, have to)