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Modal Auxiliaries
☼ Modal ( = Mood + All ) Auxiliaries present all kinds of moods in sentences.
↦ Modal auxiliaries present all king of moods in sentences.
| Function | Modal Auxiliary | ||
| 1. | Permission | → | May |
| 2. | Possibility | → | May, can |
| 3. | Improbability | → | May not |
| 4. | Compulsion / necessity | → | Must |
| 5. | Logical certainty | → | Must |
| 6. | Lesser possibility | → | Might |
| 7. | Degree of dissatisfaction | → | Might |
| 8. | Past possibility | → | Might / could have |
| 9. | Unfulfilled desire | → | Might / could have |
| 10. | Ability | → | Can, could |
| 11. | Capacity | → | Can, could |
| 12. | Impossibility | → | Cannot |
| 13. | Polite request | → | Would |
| 14. | Inference | → | Should |
| 15. | Suggestion / advice | → | Should / ought to |
| 16. | Duty / obligation | → | Should / ought to / must |
| 17. | Moral duty / obligation | → | Ought to |
| 18. | Desire / unfulfilled duty /
probability |
→ | Ought to |
| 19. | Assumption | → | Will |
| 20. | Willingness | → | Will |
| 21. | Volition | → | Will |
| 22. | Characteristic habit | → | Will |
| 23. | Insistence | → | Will / shall |
| 24. | Promise / command | → | I / we + will + rest all
Subject + shall |
| 25. | Determination / threat | → | I / we + will + rest all
Subject + shall |
| 26. | Discontinued habit / past habit | → | Used to |
| 27. | Challenge | → | Dare ( be brave enough to ) |
⋆ Rule :–
Shall, will, should, could, would, can, may, might, must, ought, need, Dare, used to etc, are Modal Auxiliaries. They are used with the first forms of verb only.
e.g. 1) He can help me. (can)
2) They could pass the exam. (could)
3) Could you return my note book please ? (could)
4) Rita may come late. (may)
5) Your father might know you well. (might)
6) I ought to work hard. (ought)
7) You must wear uniform. (must)
8) They need my help. (need)
9) You will remember him for his help. (will)
10) I would come to meet your mother. (would)
11) Ravi shall help you. (shall)
12) You should obey your parents. (should)
click here to see Exercise
