What are the modals
Modals are a type of auxiliary verb that express various degrees of ability, possibility, permission, necessity, and obligation. They include:
- Can: expresses ability, permission, or possibility
- Could: expresses possibility or ability in the past
- May: expresses possibility or permission
- Might: expresses possibility or a small chance
- Must: expresses necessity or strong obligation
- Shall: expresses future action or suggestion
- Should: expresses advice, suggestion, or expectation
- Will: expresses future action or willingness
- Would: expresses past habits, future in the past, or polite requests or offers
- Ought to: expresses duty, moral obligation, or strong recommendation
These modal verbs are used to modify the main verb in a sentence and provide additional meaning or nuance to the overall message being conveyed.
Modal verbs, also known as modals, are a type of auxiliary verb used to express various meanings such as possibility, ability, necessity, permission, and obligation. The most common modal verbs in English are:
1. Can: Used to express ability, permission, or possibility.
2. Could: Used to express a past ability, a past possibility, or to make a polite request.
3. May: Used to express possibility, permission, or a polite request.
4. Might: Used to express a less certain possibility or to make a polite suggestion.
5. Must: Used to express necessity or strong obligation.
6. Shall: Used to express a suggestion or a future action for the first person (I/we).
7. Should: Used to express advice, recommendation, or preference.
8. Will: Used to express a future action, promise, or willingness.
9. Would: Used to express a past habitual action or a conditional action.
These modal verbs can be combined with other verbs to form verb phrases that convey different meanings.