Modal Verbs Part 1

Understanding Modal Verbs Part 1

Introduction
English modal verbs are often difficult for English learners. This is due to many reasons, including grammar and meaning.


Here are some general guidelines on the use of modal verbs:

1. English modal verbs are auxiliary verbs. Modal verbs are always combined with other verbs to give complete meanings.

2. There are single-word modals and phrasal modals. The single-word modals are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.
Phrasal modals are the following: be able to, be going to, be supposed to, had better, have to, have got to, ought to, used to




3.  All of the single-word modals given above are followed by the simple form of verbs:
Incorrect: She may knows the solution.
Incorrect: She may knowing the solution.
Incorrect: She may knew the solution.
Incorrect: She may known the solution.
CORRECT: She may know the solution.
   
4. Most phrasal modals include to: be able to, be going to, be supposed to, have to, have got to, ought to, used to

When we use these phrasal modals, the simple form
of a verb follows to:
John able to assist us. 
John's going to assist us. 
John's supposed to assist us. 
He has to assist us. 
He's got to assist us. 
He ought to assist us. 
He used to assist us. 
   
5. One of the phrasal modals, had better, doesn't include to. Use the simple form of a verb after had better:
Correct: He'd better assist us.
Incorrect: He'd better to assist us.

6.  All modal verbs show meaning. When they are used with a verb, they show someone's feeling or attitude toward the action or situation that the verb shows.

Every modal verb has more than one use and/or meaning.




Extra Notes:
In some grammar books, dare and need are included in lists of modals because their "behavior," in some situations, is the same to the "behavior" of modals:
Dare may be used with or without to and a simple verb in negative sentences and in questions:

Example:
He didn't dare (to) leave early. /
Do I dare (to) leave early?

Need may be used with not and a simple verb:
Example: He need not leave early.

In other situations, the "behavior" of dare and need
is not like the "behavior" of one-word modals.