Imagine an English language in which we strictly used structures such as the following for expressing an action:<\/p>\n
I left.<\/em><\/p>\n
Pete swims on Tuesdays.<\/em><\/p>\n
I choose a double major in college.<\/em><\/p>\n
You assist me?<\/em><\/p>\n
It happens.<\/em><\/p>\n
Candace finishes that.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We understand these sentences at a basic level. But to what extent do they inform us? They convey limited information\u00a0about the attitude, perspective, or expectation of each action.<\/p>\n
How would we fare if all stated actions functioned alone\u00a0in this way, without any nuance and tone that add to the context?<\/p>\n
Let’s look at the same expressions above with components that provide us further insight into the action:<\/p>\n
I had to<\/u> leave.<\/em><\/p>\n
Pete can<\/u> swim on Tuesdays.<\/em><\/p>\n
I may<\/u> choose a double major in college.<\/em><\/p>\n
Can<\/u> you assist me?<\/em><\/p>\n
It might<\/u> happen.<\/em><\/p>\n
Candace should<\/u> finish that.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
These sentences tell us more than the original ones do. They achieve this with modal verbs that extend actions beyond basic facts.<\/p>\n
What Are Modal Verbs?<\/h2>\n
Modal verbs are a distinct group of auxiliary<\/a> (helping) verbs that further modify a verb’s action by expressing facets such as ability, possibility, permission, advice or obligation.<\/p>\n
They do not function alone as a main action. By enhancing a main verb, they further shape its meaning from a simple fact to something with more nuance.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n Common Modal Verbs<\/strong><\/td>\n Common Modal Verb Phrases<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n can<\/td>\n might<\/td>\n should<\/td>\n have to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n could<\/td>\n must<\/td>\n will<\/td>\n need to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n may<\/td>\n shall<\/td>\n would<\/td>\n used to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Modal Verbs: Form and Time<\/h2>\n
When a modal verb is paired with a main verb to modify its action in the present, the main verb will be in its infinitive form (without to<\/em>): may go<\/u><\/em>, must have<\/u><\/em>, should increase<\/u><\/em>.<\/p>\n
Modal verbs differ from main verbs in that they will almost always appear in their base form. They do not have infinitive or participle forms, nor do they take progressive or participle endings such as \u2011ing<\/em> and \u2011ed<\/em>.<\/p>\n
Base form:<\/strong> can<\/em>, might<\/em>, should<\/em><\/p>\n
Compare with:<\/strong> to can<\/em>, to might<\/em>, to should<\/em>; is canning<\/em>, are mighting<\/em>, has shoulded<\/em> (none are viable)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Exceptions to this are certain modal verb phrases such as have to<\/em> and need to<\/em>, which do change form as the context requires. This makes them semi-modals.<\/p>\n
Peter has to<\/u> write the letter before tomorrow.<\/em> (Have to<\/em> changes to has to<\/em> in order to indicate third person\u2013singular conjugation in the present tense.)<\/p>\n
Peter had to<\/u> write the letter before tomorrow.<\/em> (Have to <\/em>changes to had to <\/em>in order to indicate the action has already occurred.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
She needs to<\/u> review the contract more closely.<\/em> (Need to<\/em> changes to needs to<\/em> in order to indicate third person\u2013singular conjugation in the present tense.)<\/p>\n
She needed to<\/u> review the contract more closely.<\/em> (Need to<\/em> changes to needed to<\/em> in order to indicate the action has already occurred.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
You’ll also note that modal verbs do not change their base form regardless of the subject.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n I can<\/strong><\/td>\n we can<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n I should<\/strong><\/td>\n we should<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n you can<\/strong><\/td>\n you can<\/strong> (plural)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n you should<\/strong><\/td>\n you should<\/strong> (plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n he\/she can<\/strong><\/td>\n they can<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n he\/she should<\/strong><\/td>\n they should<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Modal Verbs: We Need Them<\/h2>\n
Compare the following sentence pairs.<\/p>\n
Simple verb:<\/strong> Jelena directs<\/u> documentaries.
\nWith modal verb:<\/strong> Jelena can<\/u> direct<\/u> documentaries.<\/p>\nSimple verb:<\/strong> Sameer calculates<\/u> the risk for investors.
\nWith modal verb:<\/strong> Sameer should<\/u> calculate<\/u> the risk for investors.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe first sentence in each pair is a simple factual statement. We know from reading the two sentences that Jelena directs documentaries, and Sameer calculates risk for investors. The sentences further indicate that the action is in the present and in continuation.<\/p>\n
The second sentence in the first pair includes the modal verb can<\/em>, which further explains that Jelena is capable of directing documentaries, even if she might not be doing so right now.<\/p>\n
The second sentence of the second pair uses the modal verb should<\/em>. Notice here too how the meaning shifts. The modal verb informs us the action (calculate<\/em>) is either advice or an obligation, and it is perhaps not yet in motion.<\/p>\n
As these examples show, without modal verbs, we would lose much of the subtlety behind intent and clarity. This would reduce English to mostly declarative statements and commands open to interpretation.<\/p>\n
Modal Verbs: More Examples<\/h2>\n
With our strengthening understanding of modal verbs, let’s look at a few more examples of how they add nuance in different contexts.<\/p>\n
Ability<\/strong>
\nLawrence can<\/u> go to law school if he chooses.
\nPatti can<\/u> decide to hem her dress further.<\/p>\nPermission<\/strong>
\nThe boys may<\/u> play outside after they’ve finished their dinner.
\nHey Joe, can<\/u> I borrow your toolbox? (informal)<\/p>\nPossibility<\/strong>
\nIf we’re not careful, we might<\/u> break that vase.
\nThe impasse in negotiations could<\/u> last another few weeks.<\/p>\nAdvice <\/strong>
\nIn my opinion, the village\u00a0needs to<\/u>\u00a0repair those potholes before someone’s car breaks an axle.
\nIf you don’t like playing that guitar, you should<\/u> try this one.<\/p>\nObligation<\/strong>
\nAnn must<\/u> speak with Brenda about changing the car-pool schedule.
\nHunter has to<\/u> coordinate this year’s parade.<\/p>\nLikelihood<\/strong>
\nWith her taste in fashion, Anna must<\/u> adore that new line of shoes.
\nThe repairs to the motorcycle should<\/u> take a couple of days.<\/p>\nRequest<\/strong>
\nWhen you’re free, would<\/u> you collect the papers from the desk?
\nWill<\/u> Bryan please assist with loading the van?<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThese examples demonstrate how modal verbs shape main-verb meanings. We also see how the same modal verb can add differing nuance to verbs.<\/p>\n
Patti can<\/u> decide to hem her dress further<\/em>. (ability)<\/p>\n
Hey Joe, can<\/u> I borrow your toolbox?<\/em> (permission)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pop Quiz<\/h2>\n
Identify any modal verbs in the following sentences.<\/p>\n
1. If Cathryn can attend, I may go as well.<\/p>\n
2. Asher must stop wearing that silly hat all the time.<\/p>\n
3. Would you please pass the potatoes?<\/p>\n
4. I used to bench press more than two hundred pounds, but now I might lift less.<\/p>\n
5. When she was in sixth grade, Emily could win spelling bees with minimal study.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n
1. If Cathryn can<\/strong> attend, I may<\/strong> go as well.<\/p>\n
2. Asher must<\/strong> stop wearing that silly hat all the time.<\/p>\n
3. Would<\/strong> you please pass the potatoes?<\/p>\n
4. I used to<\/strong> bench press more than two hundred pounds, but now I might<\/strong> lift less.<\/p>\n
5. When she was in sixth grade, Emily could<\/strong> win spelling bees with minimal study.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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