Modal Verbs: rules of use, examples. Modal verbs in English

Modal verbs in English they form a special group and differ in use from all other verbs. With the help of such verbs we talk about our skills, requests, ask permission, prohibit something, give advice and talk about obligations. That is why it is very important to understand this topic.

In this article we will look at:

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs unlike other verbs, they do not indicate an action (go, read, study), but show an attitude towards these actions (must go, can read, should study).

Common: “I’m swimming.”
Modal: "I I can swim".

Common: “It works.”
Modal: "He must work".

With the help of such verbs we express opportunity, duty, necessity, readiness, desire, permission to do something.

The following modal verbs exist in English:

These verbs have features of use that distinguish them from other verbs.

Features of modal verbs in English

When using modal verbs, you must remember:

1. Modal verbs are independent and do not require auxiliary verbs

That is, in negative and interrogative sentences we do not need to use do/does, did, will, am/are/is.

To compose negative sentence, we need to add a negative particle not to the modal verb itself.

Wrong

He will not come.
He shouldn't come.

They don't can swim.
They can't swim.

Right

He shouldnot come.
He shouldn't come.

They cannot swim.
They can't swim.

To Ask a Question with a modal verb, we simply move it to the first place.

Wrong:

Will he help?
Should he help?

Does she may ask?
Can she ask?

Right

Must he help?
Should he help?

May she ask?
Can she ask?

An exception to this rule is the modal verb have to.

He didn't have to go.
He didn't have to go.

Did he have to go?
Did he have to go?

2. Such verbs do not change their ending depending on the character.

In some tenses, we change the ending of the verb if the action is performed by someone alone: ​​she (she), he (he), it (it), her friend (her friend), his sister (his sister).

I like ice-cream.
I like ice cream.

She like s ice-cream
She loves ice cream.

Modal verbs always remain the same, regardless of who performs the action:

She should read.
She should read it.

The exception is the same verb have to, which changes to has to if the action is performed by he, she, it.

They have to write.
They need to write it down.

He has to write.
He needs to write it down.

3. After modal verbs there is no need to put the particle to

Usually the particle to separates two actions, indicating that one of the verbs is in the initial form (I want to read t, I forgot yes t, I'll go swimming t).

I want to sleep.
I want to sleep.

After modal verbs we never put the particle to:

You should sleep.
You should get some sleep.

Exceptions are those modal verbs that themselves go in conjunction with to: have to, had to, ought to, be to.

I have to sleep.
I need to sleep.

As you can see, modal verbs have significant differences in use from other verbs in the English language. So be careful when using them in your speech.

Now let's look at what modal verbs exist in English.

Table of basic modal verbs in English with translation

To understand what modal verbs exist and when to use each of them, let's look at the table.

Modal verb	Use Cases	Examples
Can/could I can / could (would)	We talk about mental and physical ability, the ability and ability to do something.	He can run fast. He can run fast. They could speak English. They could speak English.
Should Should	We give advice, we say that something is right and reasonable	You should clean the room. You should clean your room. She should go to the party. She should go to the party.
Have to/had to Should / should have / should	We talk about the need, we force it, we give instructions.	They have to wait. They need to wait. She had to help me. She should have helped me.
Must Must	We say that something needs to be done because it is necessary and important. We give strong advice.	We must hurry. We must hurry. You must read this book. You must read this book.
May/might Maybe/could	We give permission, permission to do something. We talk about the likelihood of something.	It may rain. Chance of rain. You might ask the questions. You can ask questions.
Ought to Should/must	We give advice, talk about moral duty.	They ought to apologize. They should apologize. She ought to read aloud. She should read it out loud.
Be to Agreed/agreed/must	We talk about mutual agreement, give orders, talk about rules and instructions.	We are to go to the cinema. We agreed to go to the cinema. He is to be here at 5 p.m. He should be here at 5 pm.

If you are just starting to learn modal verbs, then study them separately. At the beginning of the article, I provided links to articles where each verb is described in great detail. Go ahead and learn. If you know them, then proceed to the consolidation task.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. He can speak French.
2. You must go to this lecture.
3. We agreed to go to the store.
4. She can take my phone.
5. He needs to talk to her.
6. You should rest.
7. He should make peace with her.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Modal verbs in English. Modal verbs.

In this lesson we will look at a special category of English verbs that are used to express possibilities, necessity, ability, certainty, obligation and some other goals of the speaker. These verbs are noticeably different from ordinary verbs in English and are called modal.

Here are the main modal verbs to remember:

can - be able to, be able to
could - could, could
must - must, necessarily
have to - must, optional, should
may - it is possible
might - possible (a little outdated)
should - should
ought to - should (a little outdated)
need to - necessary, necessary

Due to their special semantics and form of agreement, modal verbs are considered as a separate grammatical category. In affirmative sentences they are used as part of the predicate, and in negative and interrogative ones they perform the role of the auxiliary verb. For example:

(+) He can sing. - He can (can) sing.
(-) He can’t (can’t) sing. - He doesn’t know how (can) sing.
(?)Can he sing?- Can (Can) he sing?

There are several rules that will help you correctly construct phrases and sentences with modal verbs:

1. Modal verbs are not used by themselves, but only in combination with other verbs. For example:

James can drink a bottle of whiskey. - James can drink a bottle of whiskey.

2. Most modal verbs never does not change according to gender, numbers and persons. For example:

I must find that book. - I have to find that book. (1st person singular)
He must find that book. - He must find that book. (3rd person singular)
We must find that book. - We have to find that book. (1st person plural)

The exceptions are the modal verbs have to (must) and need to (necessary). For example:

You have to clean the room. - You must (you should) clean the room. (2nd person plural)
He has to clean the room. - He must (he should) clean the room. (3rd person singular)

I need to learn how to drive. - I need to learn to drive a car. (1st person singular)
She needs to learn how to drive. - She needs to learn to drive a car. (3rd person singular)

3. Modal verbs do not change shape those. do not form an infinitive, gerund or participle like the main ones English verbs. Let's look at the changes in form using the example of the verb help:

(to) help (infinitive) - helping (gerund) - helped (participle)

4. Always used after modal verbs infinitive verb without the particle to. For example:

We can change the rules of the game. - We can change the rules of this game.
He must pay for the tickets. - He must pay for the tickets.

5. Most modal verbs are considered auxiliary, so they can independently form their own questions and denials. For example:

(-) You can"t (cannot) just leave. - You can’t just leave.
(-) Chris shouldn't (should not) lie to his parents. - Chris shouldn't lie to his parents.

(?) Could you repeat the sentence, please? - Could you repeat (this) sentence, please?
(?) What can I do for you? - What can I do for you?

Exceptions are modal verbs have to and need to, which are not auxiliary. In this regard, to form their questions and denials, they need the help of the auxiliary verbs do and does (3rd person singular). For example:

(-) You don"t have to go there. - You don’t need (not necessarily) to go there.
(-) My dad doesn't need to work. - My dad doesn't need (no need) to work.

(?) Does it have to be this way? - Should it be like this?
(?) Do I need to apologise? - Do I need to apologize?

6. Some modal verbs have no future or past tense forms. Let's look at the temporary table:

All modal verbs refer to certain semantic groups:

Verbs of possibility
- verbs of probability
- verbs of permissions and prohibitions
- verbs of (absence of) obligation
- verbs of requests and offers
- verbs of advice
- verbs of (lack of) necessity

Let's look at each group in more detail.

I. So, for example, possibility in English can be expressed by the modal verbs can and could. With these verbs we can talk about physical abilities and capabilities. For example:

Julia can climb the trees easily. - Julia can easily climb trees.
I could fall and break my leg. - I could have fallen and broken my leg.

As you can see from the examples, there is a slight difference between the modal verbs can and could: can is a present tense verb, and could is a past tense verb. However, there are cases when could is used in the present tense, to make the conversation more official tone. For example:

Can I take your book? -Can I borrow your book? (friendly tone)
Could I borrow your book? - Can I borrow your book from you? (more formal tone)

II.Basic verbs of probability- these are may and might. But probability can also be expressed using the verbs can and could. Depending on the context, modal verbs of probability can be interchangeable. Let's look at examples:

Don"t touch it! It may/ might fall apart. - Don't touch it! It may fall apart.
She may/ might pass the exam. - Perhaps she will pass the exam.
It can/ may/ might rain. - It might rain.
You could/ may/ might/ can lose your job. - You could lose your job.

III. Verbs of probability (may, might, can, could) can also be used to express permissions or prohibitions. For example:

(?) May/ might/ can/ could/ speak to the bank manager, please? - Can I speak to the bank manager, please?

As can be seen from the question, in requests to allow something, you can use any of these verbs. The only difference will be in the formality of the situation. The verb can is the simplest way of addressing, while may, might and could are more formal.

Let's try to answer this question affirmatively (permission) and negatively (prohibition):

(+) Yes, you may/ might/ can. - Yes. Can.
(-) No, you may not/ might not/ can not. - No you can not.

The verb could is not used as an answer in such situations.

IV. Verbs obligations are the verbs must and have to. They differ little from each other in meaning, but in form they are quite different. For example, verb must is auxiliary those. itself constructs questions and negations, but the verb have to does not. Or the verb must has no form neither the present time nor the future, and the verb have to has, so when you need to express an obligation not in the present tense, only the verb have to is used. Let's look at some examples:

You must leave immediately. - You must leave immediately.
I have to visit the dentist. - I need (should) visit the dentist.

(-) You mustn"t smoke here. - You can’t smoke here.
(-) You don"t have to smoke here. - You don’t need to smoke here.
(?) Must we obey? - Should we obey?
(?) Does he have to travel that far? - Should he travel such a distance?

We had to open the door to let the smoke out. “We had to open the doors so the smoke could come out.” (past)
My mum will have to pay my school fee. - My mother will have to pay the school fee. (future)

The verbs must and have to can be used interchangeably in the present tense, but must is considered to imply a stronger duty, while have to reserves the right to choose. For example:

You must go to this party. It's very important. - You (necessarily) must go to this party. It is very important.
I think, you have to go to this party. - I think you should go to this party. (but it's up to you to decide whether to go or not).

While the verbs must and have to are very similar, their negative forms have completely different meanings: mustn"t - impossible, prohibited; don"t have to - no need, not necessary. Let's look at the following examples:

You mustn"t smoke at school. It"s prohibited. - You can't smoke at school. It is forbidden. (ban)
Actually, you don"t have to come with me. I can go myself. - In principle, you don’t have to come with me. I can go myself. (lack of obligation).

V. Requests are very similar to permissions, therefore, using the verbs we already know can and could we can make a request. For example:

Can/ Could you help me with this bag, please? - Could you help me with this bag, please?

However, you can also use modal verbs to ask for help: will and would. For example:

Will/ Would you help me with ,y homework? - Could you help me with my homework?

And the best phrase to express a request is the phrase Would you mind + gerund verb. Let's consider in a sentence:

Would you mind helping me? - Can you help me?

To express offers of help and simply interesting proposals, the verb shall is used, and less often will. For example:

Shall I help you with your begs? - Do you need help with your bags?
Shall I make you a cup of tea? - Should I make you a cup of tea?
Shall we go to the cinema? - Shouldn't we go to the cinema?
Here, I shall/ will help you. - Wait, now I will help you.
I will bring you some water. - I'll bring you some water.

VI. Advice is given in English using modal verbs should and ought to. These verbs are equivalent in meaning, but should is a more informal word and is used more often. Let's look at examples of advice:

You should/ ought to go to the dentist. - You should go to the dentist.
The weather is chilly. You should/ ought to put on your coat. - The weather is cool. You should wear a coat.
When you talk to older people, you should/ ought to be more polite. - When you talk to people older than you, you should be more polite.

The verb should has both a negative form - shouldn't, which is also used for advice, and an interrogative form. For example:

(-) You shouldn't stay there for a long time. - You shouldn't stay there for a long time.
(-) She shouldn’t talk to me like that. - She shouldn’t talk to me like that.

(?) Should I call the police? - Should I call the police?
(?) Should I hide while it "s not late? - Should I (should) hide before it’s too late?

The verb ought to does not have a negative or interrogative form.

VII. The main verb of need in English is the modal verb - need to. But necessity can also be expressed using the verb have to. For example:

You need to lose some weight. = You have to lose some weight. You need (should, must) lose some weight.

These same verbs are used to express lack of need. You just need to use the negative form, and since the verbs need to and have to are not auxiliary, the words don"t and doesn"t need help. Let's look at examples:

You don"t have to cook if you don"t like it. -You don't have to cook if you don't like it.
He doesn't need to cut his hair. - He doesn't need to cut his hair.

In English there are many examples of the use of modal verbs in national sayings. Here you will find some of them:

Hares may pull dead lions by the beard. - Hares can pull a dead lion’s beard./ A dog that has died will not bite.
No living man all things can. - No person can do everything./ You cannot embrace the immensity.
Bird may be known by its song. - You can recognize a bird by the way it sings.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie. - When a tree falls, that’s where it should lie./ Where the tree leaned, that’s where it fell.
As you brew, so must you drink. - What you brewed, then dissolve.
Things past cannot be remembered. - The past cannot be returned.
Drowning man will catch at a straw. - A drowning man clings to a straw.
Needs must when the devil drives. - You have to when the devil urges you on. / Nothing can be done against necessity.

Thus, we met a special grammatical topic in English - modal verbs, as well as some rules for their use. Modal verbs are used quite often and will appear more than once in sentences. If you pay attention to their use in sentences, and also try to come up with your own examples, then the knowledge will not be in vain.

Modal verbs in English, these are verbs that in themselves do not denote an action or state, but reflect, as they say in textbooks, “the speaker’s attitude towards the action.”

What does it mean? Let's take the verb can(to be able to do something) - in itself it does not denote an action or state, like the verbs “fly”, “see”, “get scared”. But in combination with another verb it denotes the same attitude to action - in this case it is ability perform an action.

I can fix your TV in two minutes – I Can fix your TV in two minutes.

I can swim in cold water – I Can swim in cold water.

Modal verbs include:

• (could)- be able, be capable.
• - to be due.
• – should, must (e.g. “you should...”).
• (might)– expresses that there is permission (e.g. “I can…”)

Note: This article covers the most common modal verbs.

Why is it important to know modal verbs?

Modal verbs are used VERY often in spoken and written speech. Especially - it is one of the 10 most common verbs in the English language (see) and almost no conversation can take place without it.

In addition to the basic meanings, it is useful to know the basic nuances of using modal verbs. For example, in the phrase “You must help Bill” verb must expresses an obligation: “You must help Bill.” And in the sentence “You must be Bill” the same must has a completely different meaning: “You must be Bill.”

Features of modal verbs

Modal verbs are a special group of verbs (fortunately, very small in number) that live according to their own separate rules. Here are their main features.

1. Modal verbs in English are used with a semantic verb in, and the particle to is not placed between verbs.

Right:

• I canbuy you a candy – I Can buy candy for you.
• I mustdecline your offer – I must reject your suggestion.

Wrong:

• I can tobuy you a candy.
• I must todecline your offer.

2. Modal verbs are not conjugated, no endings are added to them, including the ending -s in the third person singular.

Right:

• He can walk on a wire. - He can walk on a tightrope.
• She must go. - She must go.

Wrong:

• He cans walk on a wire.
• She musts go.

3. Modal verbs are not used in the future tense with an auxiliary verb.

In most cases, modal verbs can refer to action in the future, this becomes clear from the context.

• I can help you tomorrow. - I I can (I can) help you tomorrow.
• We must get back home by midnight. - We must be back home by midnight.
• He may pass his exam later with another group. - He may (can) take the exam later with another group.
• You should ask her out tomorrow. - You should invite her somewhere tomorrow.

4. The verbs can and may have past tense forms.

These forms are respectively:

I also note that should is the past tense form of a modal verb shall, which is used quite rarely in modern English, see.

5. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - the modal verb is placed before the subject:

• I can drive - Can I drive?
• She could help us – Could she help us?
• We must go - Must are we going?
• I may ask - May I ask?
• You should try - Should I try?

6. The negative form is formed with the help of the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb (and is written together with the verb can). In colloquial speech, negative forms are usually shortened.

• cannot – can’t
• could not – couldn’t
• may not – may not
• might not – mightn’t
• shouldn't – shouldn't
• must not – mustn’t

Note:

Mustnot has not the opposite must meaning. For example:

You must not- does not mean “must not”, that is, “you have no obligation” (here “you don’t have to”), but “you cannot”, “you are prohibited”, “forbidden”. In Russian, sentences with a prohibition expressed as must not are often translated into impersonal sentences.

• You mustn't enter that room – To you forbidden go into that room.
• You mustn't smoke here – Here prohibited smoke.

May not also has the meaning of prohibition, but softer than must not.

• You may not go there - to you it is forbidden go there.
• You may not touch it – to you it is forbidden it's touching.

Cannot can mean both physical impossibility, inability, and a ban in a mild form.

• You can't take in all those kittens. - You can not shelter all these kittens (this is impossible).
• You can't park here – Here it is forbidden park (this is prohibited).

Synonyms of modal verbs

Modal verbs have non-modal synonyms that are conjugated according to general rules.

These are the synonyms:

• Can = be able to (be capable)
• Must = have to (to be due)
• May = be allowed to (have permission)
• Should = be supposed to (imply, be due) - not in all cases.

Modal verbs are considered insufficient - this means that they do not have a future tense form, some (must) do not have a past tense form. Using synonyms you can replace missing forms of modal verbs.

Table: modal verbs and their synonyms

Present	Past	Future
I can fly / I am able to fly	I could fly / I was able to fly	I will be able to fly
I must go / I have to go	I had to go	I will have to go
I may ask / I am allowed to ask	I might ask / I was allowed to ask	I will be allowed to ask

Replacing a modal verb with a synonym is not entirely complete and accurate. For example, must can mean moral necessity, duty, and have to can mean forced necessity.

I must help my parents. - I must help your parents (duty, obligation).

My colleague is being late for the meeting, I have to wait for him. – My colleague is late for a meeting, I must(I have to) wait for him.

Basic uses of modal verbs

Modal verb Can (could)

The verb can is used for:

1. Expressions of opportunity, ability to do something, question, polite request:

Can is used in the present and future tenses, and could in the past tense.

Present tense:

I can show you new world - I Can show you a new world.

I can't believe it! – I can not believe it!

In interrogative form the request is:

Can I help you? - Can can I help you?

Can do you do me a favour? - You you can do me a favor?

Sentences with the negative form can’t can express not only impossibility, but also a prohibition:

You can't move this stone. - You can not move this stone (it's too heavy).

You can't walk on the grass. – It is forbidden walking on the grass (this is prohibited).

Past tense:

He could play guitar - He knew how to play the guitar.

I couldn't forgive him - I couldn't forgive him.

Interrogative sentences with could express a polite request towards a second person. More polite than with can.

Could do you pass me that book? – Could you will you pass me that book?

Future– the verb can does not change in any way, its relation to the future is clear from the context:

I can talk to you later. - I I can (I can) talk to you later.

James can fix your car tomorrow. – James may (can) fix your car tomorrow.

2. “It can’t be that...”

This combination is also used in negative sentences when the speaker does not believe, does not allow the possibility that the action actually happened. When translating such phrases into Russian, the words “can’t be”, “couldn’t”, “really” are usually used.

Lara cannot have done it! – Lara I could not such do!

No, he cannot have said it! - No he could not such say!

Can she have said it? – Really she is said?

Modal verb Must

1. Ought (to be obliged to do something)

You must be Peter - You, there must be, Peter.

These must be his footsteps - This, there must be, his traces.

You should have turned left! - You had to turn left! (and turned right)

You should have seen this place! - You needed to see this place! (but you didn’t see)

3. “In theory it should”

At the verb should there is also the meaning “in theory should”, that is, there is some expected, intended action, but it may not be carried out. In this case, the turnover is more often used be supposed to.

I should (am supposed to) be at work now, but the show is so damn interesting – I must be (supposedly) at work now, but this series is damn interesting.

Doctors say that we should (are supposed to) exercise if we want to stay healthy – Doctors say that we need to(we are supposed to) exercise to stay healthy.

Modal verb May (might)

1. Have permission, permission

In present and future tense

You may do what you want – You can do what you want (present tense).

You may play with your friends later. – You can play with your friends later (future tense)

May I ask you a question? – Can(may I) ask you a question?

In a negative form may not expresses a prohibition:

You may not play with them. - You it is forbidden playing with them (I forbid it).

In the past time to express permission, it is not the verb might that is used (it expresses an assumption, see below), but the phrase be allowed to- have permission.

I was allowed to continue working on my project. - To me allowed continue working on my project.

We were not allowed to wear uniform. - Us not allowed wear a uniform.

2. Assumption

The verb used to make a guess is may or might, in this case it is translated as “possibly”, “maybe”, etc. The difference between may and might is that may expresses the speaker’s greater confidence in the assumption. However, this difference may be highly context dependent or may not be significant.

Present and future tense

Scheme: May / might + infinitive (without to)

You might know that place – You, Maybe, you know this place (present tense).

He may visit us tonight – He, May be, will visit us in the evening (future tense).

Past tense:

Scheme: May / might + have + Past Participle

She might have forgotten the documents at home. - She, maybe I forgot documents at home.

I may have seen you before. - I, may have seen you before.

Video lessons on modal verbs

In the grammar section of Puzzle English there are several video lessons on the topic of modal verbs, here is the first one: “The Verb Can”.

By going to the “Grammar” section on the Puzzle English service, you can watch the rest of the video lessons (they are available for free), as well as complete the exercises.

Everyone knows that a verb denotes an action. But it is not always the case. In English there are several special verbs that do not indicate action, but are used in combination with other verbs to indicate an attitude towards action. These verbs are called modal.

Action attitude is when you can/can't or should/shouldn't do something. Modal verbs are used to express an attitude towards an action. A table of basic modal verbs is given below. The table contains 11 modal verbs of the English language with translation, examples and detailed explanation of the main meanings! Can, must, may, etc. The table will help you quickly navigate when translating sentences containing modal verbs into English.

Verb	Translation	When is it used?
		Talks about the ability (mental or physical) to perform some action. I can swim good. I can swim well.
	must	Talks about the need to do something due to external circumstances. I have to do my homework. I have to do my homework. Read in detail:
must	must	Talks about the need to do something due to an internal need/sense of duty. I must help my brother. I have to help my brother. Read in detail:
		Used in the following cases: 1) When we talk about the probability of an action: It may rain. It will probably rain. 2) When we give permission to do something: You might go home. You can go home.
should	should	To give advice about the wisdom/correctness of some action. You should clean your house. You must clean your house.
ought to		To give advice to do something or to remind one of a moral duty or obligation to do something. You ought to read quietly. You should read more quietly.
need	[no need [not necessary	It is used mainly with the particle not (in negative sentences), when it is necessary to say that some action can be done, but is not necessary. That is, there is a possibility, but there is no need. You need not go home, but you can do it if you want. You don't have to open the window, but you can open it if you want.
	no clear translation	Expresses confidence and determination that the action will be completed: I will win this game. I will win this game. An insistent demand on another person with a hint of confidence that the demand will be fulfilled: You will give me what I want. You will give me what I want. Questions are a polite request to do something: Will you give me some money? In negative sentences - a firm intention not to perform the specified action: This pencil will not write. This pencil doesn't write at all.
shall	no clear translation	When we ask a question, the purpose of which is to receive further instructions: Shall I go home? Can I go home? With second and third person, can be used to make a command, promise or threat: You shall regret if you say this. You'll regret it if you say this. Obligation to perform an action (in contracts and other official documents): The employer shall provide the foreign worker with housing. The employer is obliged to provide the foreign worker with housing.

How to build sentences with modal verbs?

Modal verbs behave differently from regular verbs. In order to construct a sentence with a modal verb grammatically correctly, you need to know and follow a number of rules.

1) Modal verbs are not used by themselves. Any sentence with a modal verb must also contain a second - semantic verb. Please note the following points:

• The semantic verb is placed immediately after the modal verb.
• The particle to is not placed between the modal and semantic verbs. Exceptions to this rule are the modal verbs ought to, be to, have to.
• The semantic verb always comes in an indefinite form.

2) Modal verbs do not change for persons. The ending –s in the third person is not added to them. Exception - have to.

To write correctly:

She can play the piano.
She can play the piano.

It is incorrect to write:

She can play the piano.

3) Interrogative and negative sentences with modal verbs are formed without the auxiliary verb do. In interrogative sentences, the modal verb is placed immediately before the subject. The exception again is have to.

Examples of interrogative sentences with translation:

Can I help you?
I can help you?
Will you give me some money?
Could you give me some money?

Examples of negative sentences with translation:

I can't go faster.
I can't go faster.

I don't have to do it.
I shouldn't do this.

4) Combinations of modal verbs with the particle not have a shortened form. Look at some examples of shortened forms of English modal verbs in the table below:

The general rule is this - instead of a particle not an ending is added to the modal verb n't. But there are 3 exceptions to this rule. They are shown in the following table.

Learning English is impossible without delving into the topic of modal verbs, which are used in constructing complex and simple sentences. In the article we will tell you what a modal verb is, how to use it correctly in various vocabulary constructions, and form declarative and interrogative phrases..

English modal verbs

Modal Verbs is a separate part of the English language that works according to its own rules, different from the correct ones and not regular verbs. To avoid confusing English modal verbs with anything else, they should be memorized. Teachers introduce students to a table that tells about the rules of application and the role in the sentence.

If we talk about the differences between regular and irregular verbs, they differ in the principle of formation of the past tense. peculiarity correct forms in education characteristic of them -ed endings. Incorrect ones completely change their structure: ending, root, prefix.

Verbs are also classified into main and auxiliary. The main ones perform an important lexical role and talk about a certain action. Easily and organically translated into Russian. Auxiliaries complement them and are responsible for grammatical functions. They have no analogues in Russian.

All modal verbs in English can be compared to auxiliary verbs; they have a complementary function, but a more significant one. By modal rules verbs express the relationship of the subject in the action inherent in the sentence or phrase.

Types of modal verbs

The main feature of modal verbs in English is the conveyance of the attitude of the main character to what is happening. There are 5 modal verbs that should be memorized:

• may/might
• will / would
• shall/should
• can/could
• must

There are also additional verbs that can also be classified as modal, but they partially have their properties. These are the formsdare, ought to, need and others. Now about the formats in which modal verbs are used. Characteristics of expressions:

• confidence, assertion
• request, suggestion
• advice, expression of opinion
• formal request
• obligation

Forms of modal verbs are actively used in live speech. Therefore, if you want to achieve a level of fluency in English, pay special attention to this topic.

Forming verbs in different types of sentences

There are no clearly defined rules when it comes to changing the structure of verbs. Only some modal forms are subject to declension. So, for example, can is used in constructions of the present and past tenses; it is not applicable for the future. The same situation with the verb may is used in all tenses except Future. But this does not mean that forms are not suitable for expressing thoughts in the future tense. To express thoughts in the sentence structure, will is added.

If we talk about the arrangement of modal verbs in a sentence, there are a number of rules that need to be followed in constructing phrases. In statement expressions, modal verbs are used before the verb responsible for a specific action and after the main noun. When negated, the particle not must be added to the verb (exception - have to). In an interrogative sentence, a change of positions is required - the modal verb, contrary to the rules of placement in affirmative constructions, comes before the noun, replacing the auxiliary verb.

Rules for using modal verbs

In order to freely express your thoughts and emotionally color your speech structure, you should remember the most commonly used modal verbs, which will help you correctly compose affirmative, interrogative, and incentive sentences, or express a request or wish. We take note: must, can, may, ought to, need, should, to be able to, have to, manage to.

Now about the rules for using modal forms. Remember three main ones:

1. The particle to is not used after modal verbs, except for the forms ought to, need to, have to.
2. Modal verbs do not have endings attached to them (the exception word is manage to).
3. A verb denoting action, in combination with a modal, takes on the form of an infinitive.

Examples:

You should look for another way out. -You ought to find another way.

I have to go, it's late. -I need to go, it's late.

Students must follow university rules.Students must follow university rules.

You must complete this task by tomorrow evening. -You have to do this task till tomorrow evening.

Using the modal verb can/could

Translated into Russian, this verb means “I can, I can,” and can convey the meaning of a certain skill. Can is used in the present tense, could - in the past. To construct a sentence in the future tense, the form will be able to is used.

Examples:

Two years ago I saw much better. -I could see much better two years ago.

I can draw very well, since I had good teacher. - I can draw very well, because I had very good teacher.

Explain the problem, we can help you. -We will be able to help you, explain the problem.

When building negative sentence The particle not is added to the modal verb:

The students could not prepare for this competition. -Students couldn`t be ready for this competition.

I can't find my keys in this mess. -I can't find my keys in this mess.

If you want to correctly construct a question with a modal verb, just swap the words. The subject moves to the background, and the modal verb itself comes to the fore.

Modal verb must

Students of our school must follow the Charter. -Pupils of our school must follow the Regulation.

The opposite meaning takes on the form must not:

Your family shouldn't move to another city. -Your family must not move in another town.

In interrogative phrases, must becomes the beginning of a sentence:

Should tigers be kept in cages? -Must the tigers be kept in the cages?

The command tone is lost with the appearance of the particle be:

It must be noisy living in the center of a big city. -It must be noisy to live in the center of the big city.

Modal verb should

Examples:

You should stay with him while he is sick. -You should stay with him while he"s sick.

To express negation, a combination with the particle not is used:

You shouldn't spend a lot of time on the computer. -You shouldn't spend a lot of time at the computer.

The same rules apply to the construction of interrogative sentences. Modal verbs come to the fore:

Should we take a vacation in May? -Should we take a vacation in may?

Should this driver slow down? - Should this driver slow down?

Modal verb may/might

These verbs express uncertainty and are translated as “may, may.” In the present tense we use may, in the past tense we use might.

Examples:

He might have had lunch. -He might be having lunch.

This may be true. -It may be true.

I can be the best student in college. -I may be one of the best students in this college.

To introduce negation into a construction, the particle not is traditionally used:

It can not be true! -It may not be truth!

We form an interrogative sentence according to the standard rule: we start with a modal verb:

Can I sit on the chair? -May I sit on a chair?

Modal verbs to be able to/manage to

The form is used in the sense of “to be able, to be able.” The difference from could is that it is situational and is used in certain cases:

The water came in very quickly, but everyone managed to get into the boat. -The water came very fast, but all managed to get in the boat.

We lost the puppy, but then we were able to find him. -We lost the puppy, but then we could find him.

In interrogative sentences:

Can my baby put on his shoes without your help? - Kid was able to put on shoes without your help?

In negative constructions:

I was unable to complete this work on time. -I didn't manage to do this work on time.

Modal verb need

Directly translated into Russian, this verb means “to need.” It is considered one of the most common in the English language. Here are examples that are often found in real life:

I need to meet you tonight. -I need to get up with you tonight.

Mom needs help, put things aside and pay attention to her. -Mom needs help, put things down, and pay attention to her.

When using negative forms, you are faced with a choice: the particle not, which is familiar to modal verbs, or the auxiliarydo/does/did. Examples:

You don't need to spend extra money on gifts. -You do not need to spend extra money on gifts.

You do not need to write letters to this address. -You needn`t write letters to this address

When structuring a question phrase, the above auxiliary verbs come first:

Do you need time to get ready for a walk? -Do you need time to get ready for a walk?

Practice using modal verbs in practice. Teachers recommend communicating more with native speakers. If this is not possible, find someone to talk to on Skype.