Modals and Modality

Modal verbs are common auxiliary verbs in Germanic languages including English
that indicate modality. Modality is the grammaticalized expression of the subjective
attitudes and opinions of the speaker including possibility, probability, necessity,
obligation, permissibility, ability, desire, and contingency.

The Modal Verbs in English

The nine modals verbs in English are:

can

could

may

might

must

shall

should

will

would

Position of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs always appear in the first position at the beginning of the verb phrase
in English. Unlike other verbs, modal verbs do not show tense or number. The eight
possible verb phrase combinations that contain modal verbs in English are:

modal verb + base form = will eat

modal verb + be + present participle = will be eating

modal verb + have + past participle = will have eaten

modal verb + be + past participle = will be eaten

 modal verb + have + been + present participle = will have been eating

modal verb + have + been + past participle = will have been eaten

modal + be + being + past participle = will be being eaten

modal verb + have + been + being + past participle = will have been being
eaten

Double Modals

Although most varieties of English only allow for the use of one modal verb per verb
phrase, some English dialects such as Southern American English allow for multiple
modals. For example, the double modal might could as in He might could build a
new machine shed expresses both possibility and ability. However, prescriptive
grammars proscribe against the use of double modals.

Some Definitions of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are difficult to define in any language because of the wide range of
pragmatic

uses of modal verbs by native speakers. Some of the more common definitions (in
no particular order) of the modal verbs in English are:

can ability, permission, possibility, request

could ability, permission, possibility, request, suggestion

may permission, probability, request

might possibility, probability, suggestion

must deduction, necessity, obligation, prohibition

shall decision, future, offer, question, suggestion

should advice, necessity, prediction, recommendation

will decision, future, intention, offer, prediction, promise, suggestion

 would conditional, habit, invitation, permission, preference, request, question,
suggestion

Examples of Modal Verb Usage

The following sentences are examples of usage of modal verbs in English. For
example, the following four sentences all ask for permission but with different
degrees and types of modality:

Can I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission)

May I go to the bathroom? (more politely asking for permission)

Could I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission with less certainty)

Might I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission with uncertainty)

The following sentences also demonstrate the subtle meanings in regards to modal
verbs of suggestion:

You could listen to me. (suggestion)

You might listen to me. (uncertain suggestion)

You should listen to me. (strong suggestion)

You must listen to me. (stronger suggestion)

You will listen to me. (strongest suggestion)

The meanings of modal verbs are very pragmatic and must be learned through use.

Modal verbs can, may, must - grammar rules

We use the modal verbs can, may, must in the English language for various
meanings - ability, possiblity, probability, permission, attitude, opinion, speculation,
etc.

CAN
1. It is used to express the ability to do something. I can swim very well.

Can he can speak English fluently? - No, he can't. We cannot sing at all!

2. It expresses the possibility to do something.

We can go to the seaside at last. Our holidays start next week.

3. We use it to say that something is probable.

It can be John. He has blond hair and he is wearing glasses.

4. It expresses the permission to do something. Why not? You can marry her. She is
a nice girl.

MAY

1. It is used for permissions.

You may borrow my car. I won't need it.

May I smoke here? - No, you can't, I'm sorry.

2. It is used to express probability or prediction. They may call tomorrow. I hope so.

The main difference between may and can is in style. May is more formal than can.
Can is typical of spoken English.

3. The opposite of may is must not or may not. May I smoke here?

- You mustn't smoke here. (strong prohibition)

- You may not smoke here. (more polite, very formal)

- You can't smoke here. (informal spoken English)

MUST

1. It is used for strong obligations. It is personal, because it expresses the speaker's

opinion or will.

I must clean my teeth. I want to be healthy. You must go there. And do it right now!

2. It means a strong recommendation.

You must see it. It's the best film I've ever seen.
3. We use it to show the certainty of the speaker. They must be at school by now.
It's already 9 o'clock.

4. The opposite of must is need not.

Mum, must I wash up? - No, you needn't. I've already done it.

Must not has a different meaning. It is used to express prohibition that involves the
speaker's will.

We mustn't come late today. Or the teacher will be very angry. He mustn't enter this
room. It is dangerous.