Basic Modals

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that is to enhance or restrict
the verb to a certain context.
The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:
can
could
may
should
might
will
must
would
Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:
I pay my taxes.

eneral declaration of fact. !aying taxes is something I normally do.
I can pay my
taxes.

Expresses ability. I have the means "funds# to pay.
I might pay my
taxes.

Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay$ maybe I
won%t.
I will pay my
taxes.

Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time.
I should pay my
taxes.

Expresses mild obligation. It is re&uired, and I expect to comply.
I could pay my
taxes.

Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I
might pay taxes.
I would pay my
taxes.

"In this case#, expresses reservation. If I had the money "but I
don%t#. . .
I must pay my
taxes.

Expresses strong obligation. I am re&uired and have to comply.
Modals are followed by only the base form of
the verb and are not used alone unless there
is a clear connection to a main verb.
'e must to finish his homewor(.
'e must finish his homewor(.
)*+N
*I'T
,ac( could heard the bell.
,ac( could hear the bell.
!enny will going to the movie.
!enny will go to the movie.
)*+N
*I'T
)*+N
*I'T
There are many ways to ma(e re&uests in English. The most common involves using the
imperative and modals. -ee the examples below:
Using the Imperative
The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The
sub.ect of an imperative sentence is understood as /you/ although it is usually not
spo(en.
+pen the door.
)ill you help me0
!ic( up your toys.
!lease help me.

"1ou# open the door.
1es, I will "help you#.
"1ou# pic( up your toys.
"1ou# please help me.
The imperative is often used by persons of authority when spea(ing to subordinates, e.g.
parent to child.
Using Modals
To show respect and politeness, most people use modal
expressions when ma(ing re&uests. 2or example:
)ill you...0
)ould you...0
)ould you please...0
3ould you "please#...0
3ould you possibly...0
)ould you (indly...0

)ill you open the door for me0
)ould you open the door for me0
)ould you please open the door "for me#0
3ould you "please#...0 3ould you "please# open the
door0
3ould you possibly open the door0
)ould you mind "4ing #...0
)ould you be so (ind as
to...0
)ould you (indly open the door0
)ould you mind opening the door0
)ould you be so (ind as to open the door0
Common Problems with Modals
5. 6sing /to/ unnecessarily:
Incorrect
They going to meet us at the theater.
He should to eat his dinner.
I had better to go now.
You must not to use that pencil.

3orrect
They are going to meet us at the theater.
'e should eat his dinner.
I had better go now.
1ou must not use that pencil.
7. 6sing anything but the base form after a modal:
John could heard the bell.
Penny will going to the movie.

,ohn could hear the bell.
!enny will go to the movie.
8. 6sing double modals:
You should ought to speak English.
She might can help me.

1ou ought to spea( English. 9should spea(
-he might be able to help me.
:. +mitting /be/ in certain modal expressions:
They going to meet us at the theater.
Jack supposed to take his medicine.

They are going to meet us at the theater.
,ac( is supposed to ta(e his medicine.
;. 6sing wrong word order in &uestions:
How I can help you
!here I should go "or the meeting

'ow can I help you0
)here should I go for the meeting0