The Many Faces of Modals


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Modals (sometimes called modal auxiliaries) can be used in several different ways, but they are always followed by the bare infinitive. For instance, I just mentioned can be; not *can am, *can is, or *can are. The box that follows contains a list of modal auxiliaries.

can, could, may, might, should, shall, will, would, must, ought to, have to

As I mentioned, there are many faces (that is, uses) of modals. Let’s look at the following examples to figure out just how to use them.

Can and could are used to indicate…


1. Kyosuke can throw a football almost perfectly.
2. Len can play American football, but he cannot play soccer.
3. Paolo could never dunk a basketball.

Can and may are used to indicate…


1. Can/May I smoke near the building?
2. Can/May I go to the restroom?

Can and may are used to indicate…


1. Anybody can make a mistake.
2. The road can be blocked.
3. It may rain.
4. The road may be blocked.

In the cases directly above, the modals can and may are used differently. Can you figure out the difference between sentence number 2 and sentence number 4?

In sentence number 2, The road can be blocked, we mean “It is possible to block the road (that is, it is theoretically possible). However, in sentence number 4, there is factual possibility, not just theoretical possibility. In other words, in the latter sentence, there is the possibility that the road is actually blocked.

The modal could is used to indicate present or future permission, present possibility, and contingent possibility or ability in unreal conditions. Note the examples below:

1. Yukie, could I have another donut? They’re delicious.
2. The road could be blocked.
3. If Marco had more money, he could buy his girlfriend a Ferrari.

May is used to indicate…


1. Florencia, you may borrow Marco’s car if you like.
2. You may not eat in the computer classroom.

Might is used to indicate…


1. What Lea is saying might be true.
2. Saray might have a glass of beer tonight.
Note: Might is also used to make suggestions.

Shall is used to indicate…


1. You shall do as I say, and nothing else.
Should has a number of different uses. Refer to the table below.

Obligation, necessityYou should do as he says.
Contingent use (1st person only)We should/would love to extend at our school (if we had the money).
Formal real conditionsIf you should change your mind, please let us know.
Will and would also have several different uses. Refer to the table below.

Willingness. Polite requests.He’ll help you if you ask him. Will you have another cup of coffee?
IntentionI’ll write as soon as I can.
InsistenceHe will do it.
PredictionThe game will be finished by now.
Note how would is used. Refer to the table below.

Willingness.Would you excuse me?
Characteristic activity in the pastEvery morning, he would go for a long walk..
Contingent use in a conditional sentenceHe would smoke too much if I didn’t stop him.
ProbabilityThat would be his mother.
The modal must is probably one that you recognize. It is used to express obligation in the present time. For example, Cinderella, you must be back by midnight.

Must is also used to express logical necessity. For example, Officer, there must be some mistake; I was only going 40 miles per hour, not 60.
Exercise 1, Understanding
Review the following sentences and determine how the modals are used.

1. She is screaming like a bat out of hell. It may be time for us to go.

Ability
Present Possibility
Contingent Possibility
Suggestion

2. Yukie, may I have another slice of pizza for Yurika?

Suggestion
Present Possibility
Polite Request
Contingent Possibility.

3. You must watch what you eat, or you’ll turn into a butterball.

Obligation
Polite Request
Logical Necessity
Contingent Possibility.

4. Who is knocking at the door? Would that be Lucina?

Willingness
Past of "Will"
Probability
Characteristic activity in the past

5. “I shall return,” the general vowed.

Commitment
Suggestion
Probability
Command

6. How high can he jump?

Requirement
Ability
Contingent Possibility
Theoretical Possibility

7. Could you pass the salt, please?

Present Possibility, Polite Request
Future Permission
Characteristic activity in the past
They might to look like friends.

8. It might rain tonight.

Contingent Possibility.
Suggestion
Real Possibility
Past of "May".

9. Don’t argue with me! You will do it and you will do it now!

Polite Order
Insistence
Future Possibility
Intention

10. Looking at the clock, Satsuki thought, “Class should be finished by now.”

Logical Conclusion
Obligation, Necessity
Probability
Present Possibility

If you did not answer all ten questions correctly, please try again.
Show/Hide Answers
The answers are:

Match each statement with the appropriate response by dragging a statement to an empty box just above a response.

It's a rainy day today. When she was pregnant, she loved to eat pickles. Who put all the food on this desk? I have a terrible headache. With all your money you didn't get Melania a birthday present?
And, of course, she would get sick, too. I might have some aspirin for you. I've been busy, but I'll do it next year. Sha might not come to class. Don't you know? That would be Azusa.






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