Modal Verbs Grammar and Construction for ESL

Modal Verbs Grammar and Construction for ESL Modal verbs help qualify a verb by saying what a person can, may, should, or must do, as well as what might happen. The grammar used with modal verbs can be confusing at times. Generally speaking, modal verbs act like auxiliary verbs in that they are used together with a main verb. She has lived in New York for ten years. - auxiliary verb has  She might live in New York for ten years. - modal verb might Some modal forms such as have to, be able to and need are sometimes used with together with auxiliary verbs: Do you have to work tomorrow?Will you be able to come to the party next week? Others such as can, should, and must are not used with an auxiliary verb: Where should I go?They mustnt waste time.   This page provides an overview of the most common modal verbs including many exceptions to the rule. Can - May Both can and may are used in question form to ask permission. Examples of Asking Permission with May and Can Can I come with you?May I come with you? In the past, may was considered correct and can incorrect when asking for permission. However, in modern English it is common to use both forms and considered correct by all but the strictest of grammarians. Can - To Be Allowed To One of the uses of can is to express permission. In the simplest sense, we use can as a polite form to request something. However, at other times can expresses permission to do something specific. In this case, to be allowed to do something can also be used. To be allowed to is more formal and is commonly used for rules and regulations. Examples of Simple Questions: Can I come with you?Can I make a telephone call? Examples of Asking Permission Can I go to the party? Am I allowed to go to the party?Can he take the course with me? Is he allowed to take the course with me? Can - To Be Able To Can is also used to express ability. Another form that can be used to express ability is to be able to. Usually, either of these two forms can be used. I can play the piano. Im able to play the piano.She can speak Spanish. Shes able to speak Spanish. There is no future or perfect form of can. Use to be able to in both future and perfect tenses. Jacks been able to golf for three years.Ill be able to speak Spanish when I finish the course. Special Case of the Past Positive Form When speaking about a specific (non-general) event in the past only to be able to is used in the positive form. However, both can and to be able to are used in the past negative. I was able to get tickets for the concert. NOT I could get tickets for the concert.I couldnt come last night. OR I wasnt able to come last night. May / Might   May and might are used to express future possibilities. Do not use helping verbs with may or might. He may visit next week.She might fly to Amsterdam.   Must Must is used for strong personal obligation. When something is very important to us at a particular moment we use must. Oh, I really must go.My tooth is killing me. I must see a dentist. Have to Use have to for daily routines and responsibilities. He has to get up early every day.Do they have to travel often? Mustnt vs. Dont Have To Remember that mustnt expresses prohibition. Dont have to expresses something that is not required. However, if the person may choose to do so if he or she pleases. Children mustnt play with medicine.I dont have to go to work on Fridays. Should Should is used to ask for or give advice. Should I see a doctor?He should leave soon if he wants to catch the train. Should, Ought to, Had Better Both ought to and had better express the same idea as should. They can usually be used in place of should. You should see a dentist. Youd better see a dentist.They should join a team. They ought to join a team. NOTE: had better is a more urgent form. Modal Various Verb Forms Modal verbs are generally followed by the base form of the verb. She should come with us to the party.They must finish their homework before dinner.I might play tennis after work. Modal Verbs of Probability Modal verbs grammar can become especially confusing when taking a look at the verbs which follow the modal verb itself. Usually, modal verbs grammar dictates that modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb to the present or future moment. However, Modal verbs can also be used with other forms of verbs. The most common of these modal verbs grammar forms is the use of the modal plus a perfect form to refer to a past time when using a modal verb of probability. She must have bought that house.Jane could have thought he was late.Tim cant have believed her story. Other forms used include the modal plus the progressive form to refer to what may / should / could be happening at the present moment of time. He may be studying for his math exam.He must be thinking about the future.Tom can be driving that truck, hes sick today.