Modal Auxiliaries are the helping verbs which are always followed by the main verb in its original form and they support the meaning of the main verb. They have only one form and do not change the form as per the subject or tense.
Modal Auxiliaries and their Uses / meanings
1. Can • Ability
Ex. I can easily break these sticks.
• Possibility
Ex. It can rain today as the sky is cloudy.
2. Could • Ability in the past
Ex. I could easily walk 10 kms. at a stretch when I was young.
• Polite request in a question
Ex. Could you please give me some information?
3. May • Weak possibility
Ex. It may rain today even if it’s not so clouded.
• Permission
Ex. May I come in, ma’am?
Ex. You may go now.
• Wish / blessings
Ex. May all your dreams come true.
• Offer to help
Ex. May I carry your bags for you?
4. Might • Weaker possibility
Ex. It might rain today even if it’s sunny out there because it’s the rainy season.
5. Must • Obligation/ compulsion
Ex. You must show your I card at the entry gate.
• Certainty
Ex. He must be busy now.
6. Ought to • Moral obligation
Ex. We ought to respect the elders.
7. Shall • Future time
Ex. I shall complete the work tomorrow.
• Formal suggestion in a question
Ex. Shall we proceed to the next round of the competition?
8. Should • Advice
Ex. You should take your medicines on time.
9. Will • Future time
Ex. He will join us tomorrow.
• Certainty
Ex. It will rain today as the sky is heavily clouded.
• Determination
Ex. I will complete my work in time.
10 Would • Habitual action in the past
Ex. We would visit my grandparents every year during our summer holidays.
• Weakest possibility in a hopeless situation
Ex. It would be possible only if all are ready to work together.
Other modal auxiliaries
Ex. Dare – Courage
Mostly used with negative meaning in a question form.
Ex. How dare you...?
Need – Necessity
Use: Needn’t = was not needed but done
Don’t / didn’t need = was not needed so wasn’t done
Semi-modals
The main verbs which have the features of the modals
Ex. Used to, have to, able to, wish to, want to etc.
