Modals – Concept and Its Uses
Modal verbs
A modal verb is a special kind of helping verb. A modal verb helps the main verb to express the mood of the subject, and at the same, it can indicate likelihood, ability, permission, possibility, or willingness.
| Modal | Uses | Possibility | Permission | Request | Impossibility | Ability | Suggestion |
| Can | Examples | They can do it. | Can I bring it here? | Can you help me? | We can’t fix it. | ||
| Could | Examples | I think we could have. | Could I borrow yours? | Could you say it? | We couldn’t fix it. | He could work for us. | |
| May | Examples | I may finish…. | May I have another…. | ||||
| Might | Examples | They might be eating. | Might I ask your name? | Might I borrow your bag? | You might want to suggest that to the committee. | ||
| Shall | Examples | Shall I continue or not? | Shall I help you? | Shall we say…. | |||
| Should | Examples | Fees should decrease. | Should I do that or not? | He should be able to do…. | You should call. |
Modals express ideas such as possibility, permission, ability…
They are:
- CAN
- COULD
- WILL
- WOULD
- SHALL
- SHOULD
- MAY
- MIGHT
- OUGHT TO
Related topics
Informational Text – Features, Types with Examples
What is an Information Text? Any piece of writing falls under the category of fiction or non-fiction. Fiction is a work of imagination (made up story), whereas non-fiction is based on facts and actual events or real people. Informational texts are non-fiction works that inform the readers about a specific topic. They are found in […]
Figurative Language : Types and Examples
Figurative Language What is Figurative Language? A language that describes something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Types of Figurative Language: Imagery The Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects are stated in terms of our senses. Simile It includes a straight comparison between two unlike things, […]
Types and Uses of Punctuation Marks with Examples
Imagine reading a story with no full stops, no commas, and no question marks! You will not be able to understand what it meant. It would feel messy and hard to follow. That is where punctuation marks come in. They help organise our thoughts and make writing easier to read. They show pauses, expressions, and […]
Naming Words for Class 2: Simple English Guide
Naming words are names of people, animals, birds, places or things. E.g. Leo, Rat, Crow, London, Book Four types of naming words E.g. Leo, Andrea, Father, Mother E.g. School, London, Park, New york E.g. Tiger, Monkey, Cow, Parrots E.g. Box, Pen, Apples, Car Everything that we can touch, feel, see and talk about is represented by […]
Other topics
Comments: