4 Modal Auxiliaries
We all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday life. We do this by using modal auxiliaries, A type of helping verb that is only used with a main verb to help express its mood..
Modal Auxiliaries
Modal auxiliaries are a type of helping verb that are used only with a main verb to help express its mood.
The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:
| Subject | + | modal auxiliary | + | main verb |
| James | may | call |
There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English.
Table 5.11 Modal Auxiliaries
| Modal Auxiliary | Use | Modal Auxiliary + Main Verb |
|---|---|---|
| can | Expresses an ability or possibility | I can lift this forty-pound box. (ability) |
| We can embrace green sources of energy. (possibility) | ||
| could | Expresses an ability in the past; a present possibility; a past or future permission | I could beat you at chess when we were kids. (past ability) |
| We could bake a pie! (present possibility) | ||
| Could we pick some flowers from the garden? (future permission) | ||
| may | Expresses uncertain future action; permission; ask a yes-no question | I may attend the concert. (uncertain future action) |
| You may begin the exam. (permission) | ||
| May I attend the concert? (yes-no questions) | ||
| might | Expresses uncertain future action | I might attend the concert (uncertain future action—same as may) |
| shall | Expresses intended future action | I shall go to the opera. (intended future action) |
| should | Expresses obligation; ask if an obligation exists | I should mail my RSVP. (obligation, same as ought to) |
| Should I call my mother? (asking if an obligation exists) | ||
| will | Expresses intended future action; ask a favor; ask for information | I will get an A in this class. (intended future action) |
| Will you buy me some chocolate? (favor) | ||
| Will you be finished soon? (information) | ||
| would | States a preference; request a choice politely; explain an action; introduce habitual past actions | I would like the steak, please. (preference) |
| Would you like to have breakfast in bed? (request a choice politely) | ||
| I would go with you if I didn’t have to babysit tonight. (explain an action) | ||
| He would write to me every week when we were dating. (habitual past action) | ||
| must | Expresses obligation | We must be on time for class. |
| ought to | Expresses obligation | I ought to mail my RSVP. (obligation, same as may) |
Tip
Use the following format to form a yes-no question with a modal auxiliary:
| Modal auxiliary | + | subject | + | main verb |
| Should | I | drive? |
-
Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal
Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table.
Correct: I can move this heavy table.
-
Using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal
Incorrect: I could moving to the United States.
Correct: I could move to the United States.
-
Using two modals in a row
Incorrect: I should must renew my passport.
Correct: I must renew my passport.
Correct: I should renew my passport.
-
Leaving out a modal
Incorrect: I renew my passport.
Correct: I must renew my passport.
Exercises
Edit the following paragraph by correcting the common modal auxiliary errors.
I may to go to France on vacation next summer. I shall might visit the Palace of Versailles. I would to drive around the countryside. I could imagining myself living there; however, I will not move to France because my family should miss me very much.
Modals and Present Perfect Verbs
In the previous section, we defined present perfect verb tense as describing a continuing situation or something that has just happened.
Remember, when a sentence contains a modal auxiliary before the verb, the helping verb is always have.
Be aware of the following common errors when using modal auxiliaries in the present perfect tense:
-
Using had instead of have
Incorrect: Jamie would had attended the party, but he was sick.
Correct: Jamie would have attended the party, but he was sick.
-
Leaving out have
Incorrect: Jamie would attended the party, but he was sick.
Correct: Jamie would have attended the party, but he was sick.
Key Takeaways
-
The basic formula for using a modal auxiliary is
subject + modal auxiliary + main verb - There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and ought to.
- The four common types of errors when using modals include the following: using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal, using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal, using two modals in a row, and leaving out a modal.
- In the present perfect tense, when a sentence has a modal auxiliary before the verb, the helping verb is always have.
- The two common errors when using modals in the present perfect tense include using had instead of have and leaving out have.
Writing Application
On a separate sheet of paper, write ten original sentences using modal auxiliaries.
