Model

Index
Introdution.....................................................................................................................2
Modal Verbs...................................................................................................................3
The infinitive can be active. When necessary, it can be passive....................................3
Modal Verbs List............................................................................................................3
Can & Could..................................................................................................................3
May & Might.................................................................................................................3
Shall/Should & Ought to................................................................................................4
Will & Would.................................................................................................................4
Must & Have to..............................................................................................................4
Can & Could..................................................................................................................4
Can/Would.....................................................................................................................5
Can/Could/May..............................................................................................................5
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................6
Bibliograph....................................................................................................................8
1
Introdution
This work aims to address Modal Verbs. In short, we can understand that in the English
language, there are “modal verbs”, such as “can” and “could”, which are considered
auxiliaries, that is, they are used to help the main verb in a prayer.
The function of modal verbs is to change or complement the meaning of the main verb,
expressing ideas of possibility, obligation, deduction, desire, prohibition, will, capacity,
etc. See below the modal verbs and what each one basically expresses:
Can (capacity): I can run for a long time. (I can run for a long time);
Could (possibility): I could do it, but I don’t want. (I could do this, but I don't want to);
Might (probability): You might go with me. (You can go with me);
Should (advice): You should visit your mother. (You should visit your mother);
May (request): May I go to the party? (Can I go to the party?);
Must (obligation): He must study English. (He must study English);
Ought to (advice): You ought to know Rio de Janeiro. (You should visit Mozambique);
Would (request): Would you help me with this? (Would you help me with this?);
Shall (suggestion): Shall we study? (Let's study?)
2
Modal Verbs
Modals verbs are different from normal English verbs. We use modal verbs to express
different meanings and reach different purposes. Modal verbs do not take an ‘s‘ for the
third person singular.
She musts walk her home everyday. (wrong)
She must walk her home everyday. (correct)
After ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘shall’, ‘should’, ‘ought to’, ‘will’, ‘would’,
‘must’,‘have to’, we use a bare infinitive (i.e. an infinitive without ‘to’).
We do NOT use a past form of a verb nor an -ing form.
I could to swim when I was nine. (wrong)
I could swim when I was nine. (correct)
The infinitive can be active. When necessary, it can be passive.
For example:
The robbers may be caught soon.
Your money may be found soon.
I think this radio can be repaired.
Modal Verbs List
Can & Could
Ability: Birds can fly. I can swim
Permission: Yes, you can go to the cinema.
He could ride my car, if he let me know earlier.
May & Might
Permission: You may see your friends now.
Possibility: It may snow tomorrow.
3
She might be really sick.
Shall/Should & Ought to
Future actions: We shall visit again next time.
Responsibility: They should bring their books to school.
You ought to ask for your father’s permission.
Will & Would
Future Actions: She will join our team next month.
Imagination: I would call Mary if I remember her number.
Must & Have to
Necessity: Human must eat.
Obligation: You must hand in your homework on time.
I have to help my mother tomorrow.
Can & Could
Requests: Can you give me some water?
Asking people to do things: Could you wait her for a while?
4
Can/Would
Offering: Can I help you?
Offering/Inviting: Would you like a cup of tea?
Can/Could/May
Permission:
Can I speak to Mohammad, please?
Could I ride your bike?
May I come in? (more formal/polite).
5
Conclusion
At this point, we can review modal verbs in different and distinct forms. Modal verbs
differ from other verbs in several ways. Let’s see below the main characteristics of
modal verbs:
They are used without the
Unlike most verbs which, in their original form, are written with to (examples: to go, to
dance, to study), modal verbs are always used without “to”.
There is no infinitive for modal verbs, no participle, no gerund.
Examples:
He may arrive tomorrow. (It should arrive tomorrow.)
She would like to travel. (She would like to travel.)
Exception: the modal verb "ought to" is the only one that is accompanied by "to".
However, the "to" comes after the verb.
In the interrogative form, "to" is placed after the subject: ought + subject + to + main
verb + complement.
In negative sentences, the "not" is placed between the verb and the "to": "ought not to".
However, it is not very common to ask questions with "ought to", as it is very formal. In
this case, "should" is used more.
Examples:
Ought she to go? (Should she go?) - less common
Should she go? (Should she go?) - most common
They are not flexed
Although some modal verbs indicate the time in which an action occurs (such as will -
which indicates the future - and could - which can indicate the past), modal verbs are
not inflected.
The same verb form is used for all people (I, you, he, she, it, we, you and they).
6
Bibliograph
The Syntactic Evolution of Modal Verbs in the History of English.
Walter W. Skeat, The Concise Dictionary of English Etymology (1993), Wordsworth

Editions Ltd.
German Modal Verbs A grammar lesson covering the German modal verbs (in
Portuguese) Modal Verbs.

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Index

She musts walk her home everyday. (wrong)

She must walk her home everyday. (correct)

We do NOT use a past form of a verb nor an -ing form.

I could to swim when I was nine. (wrong)

I could swim when I was nine. (correct)

The infinitive can be active. When necessary, it can be passive.

The robbers may be caught soon.

Your money may be found soon.

I think this radio can be repaired.

Modal Verbs List

Can & Could

Ability: Birds can fly. I can swim

Permission: Yes, you can go to the cinema.

He could ride my car, if he let me know earlier.

May & Might

Permission: You may see your friends now.

Possibility: It may snow tomorrow.

Shall/Should & Ought to

Future actions: We shall visit again next time.

Responsibility: They should bring their books to school.

You ought to ask for your father’s permission.

Will & Would

Future Actions: She will join our team next month.

Imagination: I would call Mary if I remember her number.

Must & Have to

Necessity: Human must eat.

Obligation: You must hand in your homework on time.

I have to help my mother tomorrow.

Can & Could

Requests: Can you give me some water?

Asking people to do things: Could you wait her for a while?

Offering: Can I help you?

Offering/Inviting: Would you like a cup of tea?

Could I ride your bike?

May I come in? (more formal/polite).

They are used without the

There is no infinitive for modal verbs, no participle, no gerund.

He may arrive tomorrow. (It should arrive tomorrow.)

She would like to travel. (She would like to travel.)

Ought she to go? (Should she go?) - less common

Should she go? (Should she go?) - most common

They are not flexed

The Syntactic Evolution of Modal Verbs in the History of English.

Walter W. Skeat, The Concise Dictionary of English Etymology (1993), Wordsworth

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