Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a certain kind of auxiliary verb. They indicate modality.
Examples of modality are:
Examples of modality are:
- likelihood
- ability
- permission
- obligation
List of Modal Verbs
Modal Verb | Example |
can | Can I help you, madam? |
could | Could you please give me some more bread? |
may | May I ask what's wrong? |
might | This might not be such a good idea. |
will | I will talk to him soon. |
would | Would you be so kind and do me a favour? |
shall | Shall I open the window? |
should | You should go home now. |
Modals that change their meaning
Some modal verbs change their meaning when you negate them. Take a look at the explanation below:
- must
You must see this movie! It's so good! - needn't You needn't see that movie. It's quite boring.
- need We need to get some more milk for tomorrow morning.
- mustn't You mustn't return home after midnight! It's too dangerous!
As you can see, "must" = "have to", while "mustn't" = "not allowed to"!
To negate "must", you have to say "needn't".
Examples
Here are some examples of how to use modal verbs. They are often used for polite conversation.
- "Will you come over here right now!" (order, harsh request)
- "Would you please come over for a second?" (polite request)
- "Can you help me with the dishes?" (normal question)
- "Could you please help me with the dishes?" (polite request)
- "May I help you?" (polite offer)
- "Let me help you!" (offer)
- "This is a bad idea." (statement)
- "This might not be such a good idea." (same meaning, much more polite)
- "Do you want me to go now?" (direct question)
- "Shall I go now?" (polite)
- "Perhaps I should better go now." (very polite)
In our first exercise, match up the sentences that have the same meaning!
In our third and final exercise you have to choose which of the options is the more polite one! Trust your intuition!
Which sentence is the most polite?