You modalverbs,in English, accompany the main verbs to express a particular idea. They have more of a function of conveying a pragmatic idea than indicating some grammatical aspect |1|. Learn the use of modalverbsit means paying attention in the sense assigned to them. There are different types of modalverbs, for example: can, may, might, shall, must, have to, could, ought to, should, between others.
having a social role, you modalverbsare used when we want to express about something the idea that something is possible or required. It is also used to say that something is allowed or prohibited, of a abiliity or a capacity, on one advice or from a suggestion. In the next topics, we will explore some of these aspects, the structure of modal verbs and the most suitable usage for each one. Come on!
Also know: Simple present: how to use and push ups
Characteristics of modal verbs
First, it is important to highlight that the modalverbs always follow themain verb of a sentence. For example:
1. He can fly.
(He can fly.)
In this example, can is the modal verb, and fly, O main verb, which presents itself in its base form, that is, at the infinitive, without the prepositionI'm.
Unlike other verbs, the modal verbs are not inflected neither for the tense nor for the person, with the exception of the verb have to.
1. I can cook very well.
(I can cook very well.)
2. you can cook very well.
(You can cook really well.)
3. he can cook very well.
(He can cook very well.)
This is repeated for everyone else in the speech.
Another difference we noticed is in the intention of meaning that a person (announcer) wants to convey |1|. You modalverbsserve to modalize the discourse, revealing the intention, the feeling of the speaker. They can express a more or less strong attitude. For example:
1. Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?
(Teacher can I go to the bathroom?)
2. Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?
(Teacher can I go to the bathroom?)
In both sentences, we have the presence of a modal verb: can(power) and may(may/have permission). although in the Portuguese they have the same sense, they point to different intentions in English. In both sentences, the modal verbs refer to asking for permission. However, the verb may it's more formal and more polished than the can. O verb can, which also indicates asking for permission, has a more direct form.
Knowing this, it is very common for English language learners to ask themselves: How will I know which modal verb to use and in which situation? Don't worry, in the next topics, we'll cover just these small differences in intent in English.
See more: Phrasalverbs: linguistic expressions formed by verb and preposition
When and how to use modalverbs?
In this topic, we explain the use of modal verbs according to semantics that they have, through examples that enable the understanding of the intention or feeling that one wants to express in a given situation.
Probability (could, may, might, must, can’t)
Used in the past, present and future, these modal verbs demonstrate the degrees of certainty that we want to express, ranging from absolute certainty (must, can’t), when we have some kind of evidence, and total uncertainty (could, may and might). The difference between must and can’tit is in affirmative and negative certainty.
use the mustto say that something is very likely (affirmative certainty) and the can’tfor something very unlikely (negative certainty). To talk about something in the past, use the modal + have + verb in past participle. See the examples:
Uncertain |
Certain |
They may come by car. |
Carlos talk about Julio. He must know him. |
He might arrive late. |
Daniel has been here. He can’t be lost! |
She could be sick. |
Anna must have been to the USA. *Certainty in the past = modal + have + past participle. |
|
Sarah may have lost the bus. *Uncertainty in the past = modal + have + past participle. |
Respectful permission or request (may, can, could, would)
the four modal verbs may, can, could, would are used in the present and the future. When we ask for something with the can, means we are being more informal, because we know the other person. Furthermore, we can say that the can it is more common in everyday life. To be more polite and more formal, we usecould/may/would.
Remember that the modal verb may can only be used with first person singular and first person plural (I/WE). To deny permission, we must use maynot or can’t. Look at the examples:
Polite Request |
permission |
Can you pass the sugar, please? |
Can I drink some water, please? |
Could you open the door, please? |
Could I come in, please? |
Would you close the door, please? |
May I go to the bathroom, please? |
You can’t leave the classroom. |
Obligation, necessity, prohibition (have to, must)
When we want to express a obligation, we use modal verbs must and haveI'm. remember that the haveI'm is inflected according to the person. if something is prohibited, we must use mustn’t. for something that it is not necessary, we use don’thaveI'm. The structure haveI'm it is also used in the past. Look at the examples:
Obligation/Need |
Prohibition |
You have to arrive early. |
You mustn’t forget your uniform. |
She must follow the rules. |
You mustn’t go there. |
|
He doesn’t have to repeat the exercise. *He doesn't need to repeat it, only if he wants to. | |
|
She had to work all night long. *Past = had to. |
Advice (should, oughtI'm)
To offer advices or give suggestions to other people, always use should/shouldn’t or ought to/ought not to. Both modal verbs have the same meaning. However, some grammarians consider ought to more formal. O must, as we saw in bonds, can even be used, but it would have a stronger meaning.
Therefore, we leave the mustin the category of what we consider a obligation, a duty. Also, when we offer a suggestion, it is quite common, in English, that the shouldbe preceded by the expression I think/ I don’t think. See the examples:
Advice |
You should take an aspirin for your headache. |
I don’t think you should work sick. |
You ought to go to a dentist. |
A piece of cake, right? Papaya with sugar, no?
Read too: What is the difference between I'm and for?
solved exercises
question 1
Choose the most appropriate alternative:
TEACHER: Must/Could we start?
STUDENT: Yes! Teacher, could/might do you explain the project, please?
TEACHER: Of course!
STUDENT: Well, what should/will I of the first?
TEACHER: In the first place, you should/shouldn’t choose a topic. Green energy sources, for example.
STUDENT: OK! What's the next step?
TEACHER: You can/can’t do research about it using the PDF files I sent in your email.
STUDENT: Right! May/Must I ask you a final question?
TEACHER: Yes, sure.
STUDENT: Could/Will I send you this project in the end of the next month?
TEACHER: I'm afraid, but you can/can’t. Students must/mustn’t finish it until the end of this month.
Resolution:
TEACHER: could (formal request) we start?
STUDENT: Yes! Teacher, could (formal request) you explain the project, please?
TEACHER: Of course!
STUDENT: Well, what should (advice) I do first?
TEACHER: In the first place, you should (advice) choose a topic. Green energy sources, for example.
STUDENT: OK! What's the next step?
TEACHER: You can (permission) do research about it using the PDF files I sent in your email.
STUDENT: Right! May (formal request) I ask you a final question?
TEACHER: Yes, sure.
STUDENT: could (permission) I send you this project in the end of the next month?
TEACHER: I am afraid, but you can (prohibition). students must (obligation/duty) finish it until the end of this month.
Grades:
|1| DECAPUA, A.. grammar for Teachers: A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers. Springer: New York, 2008.
By Patricia Veronica Moreira
English teacher