English Modal Verbs - a little help

Question

If you are learning about English Modal verbs then perhaps this lesson may help.

English Modal Verbs

Very nice! I guess the use of "may" for permisson is becoming obsolete. What do you think? - Jubilado, Oct 14, 2012

You 'could' be right jeje :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 14, 2012

Great lesson, MC! - --Mariana--, Oct 14, 2012

Thanks Mariana :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 14, 2012

Answer 1

Sorry Kiwi I know you did not invent the term Modal Verbs but I would just like to say that Modals are not verbs.

Starting with the premise that they are causes confusion for learners of English.

Modals cannot be conjugated. They do not have any tenses.

Could for example is not the past of can.

I can do it now = present ability.

I could do it now = present possibility.

I could do it yesterday = past ability.

I could do it tomorrow - future possibility.

Why Modals came to be called "Modal Verbs" I don't understand.

For me they are closer to adverbs because they are most of the time used to modify verbs.

Thanks Ian, yes that is a tricky one, are they not defective verbs? and if they're not verbs what are they? maybe just modal auxilliaries would be the safest option? - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 14, 2012

Yep - I think "special auxilliary words" would be better. They are so powerful / important in English that they are essential. - ian-hill, Oct 14, 2012

Answer 2

Yes, Sir Ian is correct. They are called "verbs" at times, but aren't really because they cannot be used alone.

Modal "verbs" are called auxiliary verbs, helping verbs and model auxiliaries. Model "verbs" are not complete verbs, and they can only be used with a verb.

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 14, 2012

Answer 3

For anyone who would like to practice what they learnt or test their knowledge here's a self checking exercise on modal 'auxilliaries' (smiley)

Click here for our self checking exercise on modal auxilliaries