Modal verbs or modal verbs are a fairly familiar type of verb. We come across it a lot while learning and using English. So are they similar and different from regular verbs? Let's find out with EnglishTopVN through the article below
Defective verbs is special type of verb that only accompanies and performs the function of supporting the main verb in a sentence and does not stand alone as a main verb in a sentence.
Common modal verbs in English include the words:
Can | Could | May | Might | Must |
Ought to | Should | Shall | Would | will |
Modal verbs have some differences from other regular verbs. Let's take a look at their characteristics below.
S + Modal Verbs + V(bare-infinitive)
For example:
For example:
He can use our phone.
For example:
She can cook meals.
She could cook meals when she was twelve.
CAN has only 2 tenses: Present and Simple Past. In other forms we use the equivalent verb "be able to". CAN can also be used as an auxiliary verb to form certain expressions.
Using | For example |
- CAN and COULD means "can", expressing an ability. |
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- In colloquial speech, CAN is used instead MAY to express a permission and negative form CANNOT is used to express a prohibition. |
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- CAN also describes something that could happen (possibility). In questions and exclamations CAN means 'Is it possible…?' |
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- CANNOT used to describe something that is unlikely to happen (virtual impossibility) |
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- When used with verbs of perception (verbs of perception) CAN gives the same meaning as Continuous Tense. |
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Using |
For example |
- COULD is the simple past tense of CAN. |
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- COULD also used in conditional sentences. |
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- In informal speech, COULD considered more polite CAN. |
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- COULD is used to express a doubt or a mild protest. |
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- COULD – WAS/WERE ABLE TO: + If the action expresses an ability, a knowledge, COULD used more often WAS/WERE ABLE TO. + If the sentence implies a success in doing the action (succeeded in doing) then WAS/WERE ABLE TO is used rather than COULD. |
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Using |
For example |
- MAY and past form MIGHT Expresses permission or permission. |
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- MAY/MIGHT Used to express a possibility that may or may not happen. |
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- Used in exclamations, MAY/MIGHT express a wish. |
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-MAY/MIGHT used in clauses following the verbs hope and trust. |
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- MAY/MIGHT used instead of an adverb clauses of concession. |
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- MAY/MIGHT often used in adverb clauses of purpose. In this case, people often use it CAN COULD to replace MAY/MIGHT |
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- MIGHT (not used MAY) is sometimes used in a sentence to express a petulant reproach. |
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Using |
For example |
- MUST means “must” expresses an order or a compulsion. |
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- MUST used in logical reasoning sentences. |
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- MUST NOT (MUSTN’T) describes a prohibition. |
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- When you want to express the negative form of MUST with the meaning "unnecessary" people use NEED NOT (NEEDN’T). |
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Using | For example |
- Used in Future tense structures (Simple Future) in the first person. |
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- Expresses a promise (promise), an assertion (determination) or a threat (threat). |
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Using | For example |
– Used in a sentence to advise someone on what to do, and is equivalent to ought to. |
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– Use instead of must when you do not want to express a meaning that requires someone to do something. |
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Using | For example |
– Used in the Future tense (simple future), expressing a plan, willingness, promise or determination. |
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– Used in proposal sentences. |
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Using | For example |
– Used to form Future in the past or tenses in conditional sentences. |
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– Describe a habit in the past. In this sense, WOULD can be used instead of used to. |
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Using | For example |
– OUGHT TO also used to express an approximation, very likely to be true (strong probability). |
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– OUGHT TO Can be used in the future with words that determine future time such as tomorrow, next Tuesday... |
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– OUGHT NOT TO HAVE + past participle Expresses disagreement about an action done in the past. |
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- OUGHT TO means “should”, similar to should. In most cases OUGHT TO can be replaced with should.
For example: