MODAL VERBS AND THEIR GRAMMATICAL FUNCTIONS

9. Феъли модали ва вахифахои грамматикии он

Modal verbs are used in conjunction with verbs to express their function. Examples are permission, obligation, lack of necessity, possibility, ability, prohibition, advice and probability. You must remember that modal verbs are followed by an infinitive but without the word “to”. Modal verbs are different from other auxiliary verbs as they cannot stand alone in a sentence. They should always be followed by the base verb word (infinitive) like, play, work, run, and eat. Conjugated verbs such as: likes, played, working, ran and eats do not work with modalmodal verbs.

List of modal verbs:

Can/could

May/might

Must

Have to/have got to

Be to

Need

Should

Would

Shall

Will

Dare

Used to

Must-to have to, or to be highly likely. Must can be used to express 100% certainly, a logical deduction or prohibition depending on the context

It must be hard to work 60-hours a week

Can-to be able to, to be allowed to, or possible. It’s used to express ability, permission and possibility

It can be done.

May-to be allowed to, it is possible or probable

She may not arrive on time.

Had better, will, would- to suggest an action.