Modal auxiliaries

MODAL AUXILIARIES

The modal auxiliaries in English are can, could, had better, may, might, must, ought (to), shall, should, will, would.
Modal auxiliaries generallyexpress speaker’s attitudes. For example modals can express that a speaker feels something necessary, advisable, permissible, possible, or probable; and, in addition,they can convey the strength of those attitudes.
Each modal has more than one meaning or use.

BASIC MODALS Can do itCould do itI had better do it You may do itHe might do itShe +must do it It ought to do itWe shall do itYou should do itThey will do itwould do it | Modals do not take a final –s, even when the subject is she, he, or it. CORRECT: She can do it.INCORRECT: She cans do it. |
| Modalsare followed immediately by the simple form of a verb. CORRECT: She can do it. INCORRECT: She can to do it. / She can does it./she can did it. The only exception isought, which is followed by an infinitive (to + she + simple form of a verb). CORRECT: He ought to go to the meeting. |
PHRASAL MODALS Be able to do it Begoing to do it Be supposed to do it Have to do it Have got to do it Used to do it | Phrasal modals are common expressions whose meanings are similar to those of someauxiliaries. For example: be able to is similar to can; be going to is similar to will.An infinitive (to + the simple form of a verb) is used in these similar expressions. |