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There are 8 Modal/ Auxiliary verbs in
English.
can – could
will – would
shall – should
may – might
must
need
dare
ought to
How are Modal Verbs constructed in a
sentence?
Modal Verb
Bare Infinitive
Can Modal Verbs be found with the other
time forms of the bare infinitive?
Simple Bare Infinitive
present/
future
Continuous Bare Inf.
Modal Verbs
Perfect Bare Inf.
past
Perf. Cont. Bare Inf.
Function = a label on everyday situations and
on the type of language we use in them
e.g. asking sb to do sth for us / for a favour
Label: REQUEST, Language: Can you/ could you/
I was wondering if you could/ Will you/ Would
you/ Would it be possible for you to, etc
There is no polite plural in English.
So, we use functional language (with modal verbs
and other expressions) to cover for its lack.
The kind of functional language we use
depends on 4 considerations.
They are:
•Speakers’ relationship
• Speakers’ roles
• Setting
• Topic
What language does the function
ARRANGEMENTS employ?
What language does the function
HABITS employ?
What language do the functions
NECESSITY/ ABSENCE OF NECESSITY
employ?
What language does the function
ABILITY/ INABILITY employ?
What language do the functions
OBLIGATION/ ABSENCE OF OBLIGATION
employ?
What language does the function
DEDUCTIONS employ?
What language do the functions
(IM)PROBABILITY/ (IM)POSSIBILITY employ?
What language do the functions
REPROACH/ CRITICISM employ?
What language does the function
REQUESTS employ?
What language do the functions
OFFERS/ WILLINGNESS employ?
What language does the function
PROHIBITION employ?
What language does the function
PERMISSION employ?
What language does the function
ADVICE employ?
What language do the functions
SUGGESTIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS
employ?
What language does the function
EXPECTATION employ?
What language does the function
INSISTENCE employ?
What language does the function
TYPICAL BEHAVIOUR employ?
What language do the functions ASKING
FOR SUGGESTIONS/ INSTRUCTIONS employ?
What language does the function
PREFERENCE employ?
What language does the function
BOLDNESS employ?
What language does the function
ASSUMPTIONS employ?
Standard Expressions/ Constructions I
can + perception verbs (replacing the Present
Continuous )
could + perception verbs (replacing the Past
Continuous )
Standard Expressions/ Constructions II
may … but … = although: concession ALSO:
be that as it may = although this may be so,
try as I might = although I try hard,
(Strange) though/ as it may (sound/ seem/…)
= although it sounds/ seems/ … (strange)
Standard Expressions/ Constructions III
may/ might (just) as well =
1. suggesting the best course of action in the
circumstances
2. ‘could easily’ is also possible here = it
wouldn’t matter if sb did sth else instead
Standard Expressions/ Constructions IV
may (very) well = perhaps it’s simply/ easily
like that
Standard Expressions/ Constructions V
May (God Bless) sb/ sth = formally wishing sth
Standard Expressions/ Constructions VI
for fear one might/ lest one should = fearing
that/ in case
Standard Expressions/ Constructions VII
can(’t)/ could(n’t) possibly = it will (not)/
would (not) be possible to
Standard Expressions/ Constructions VIII
would be grateful if you would/ could =
formal and polite request
Standard Expressions/ Constructions IX
shall = formal instead of ‘will’, esp.
1. when showing determination &
2. in legal papers (contracts, agreements,
etc), when stating what is to apply
Standard Expressions/ Constructions X
should (subjunctive meaning) = formal in
‘that’ clauses in place of a gerund or infinitive
construction (See also Un. 10)