Modals Auxiliary Verbs: Will, would, can, could, shall, should, may, might, and must are the 9 Modal Auxiliary verbs because they do not have other verb forms such as v2/v3/v4, etc. In general, modal auxiliary verbs are used to describe ability or disability, necessity, suggestion, permission, improbability, regret, and so on. Other semi-model auxiliary verbs include ought to, have to, and so on. These verbs behave very differently than regular verbs. Take a look at the following examples to see what I mean: Modal verbs are always followed by a verb in its base form like: ‘Arjun may write a letter’ vs. ‘Arjun writes a letter, & Arjun and Agrata write a letter.’ To make the sentence negative, we generally use ‘not’ such as “They cannot write anything anymore.
1. The
use of “CAN/Cannot” (Ability/inability)
ABD
can write. It means he has the general ability to do the action of writing.
I
can’t go there with you, I am too busy today. I cannot go because of
my hectic schedule.
I
can jump from such a height, but I can’t drive a Mercedes. (the first one shows your capacity and the
second sentence displays inability)
2. The
use of “Could”
Could is the past form of CAN like “Arjun
could write only Nepali Language when he was in his puberty,” though could is in
use to show the general ability or inability as well. “ABD couldn’t scold his 12 G - students who make much cacophony.
Could can be used in the present, past, and future by using subject + could+ verb1 + object. For example, Principal Sir
could come today. Principal Sir could come yesterday. Principal Sir could come
tomorrow. Next, to make a polite request, we use could like: “Could you turn on
the gas? Could you aid me? Could you please go and bring my attire? To ask for
permission we do use could like: Could I
ask your name? Could I call you my life
partner?
3. The
use of “May”
We use may to have the future possibility or get permission. For instance: ABD may take your invaluable time to make you
understand the lesson. In the present day, ABD may give you the class
assignments. Although he doesn’t usually give you the assignments, but there is
a possibility that in the present day, he will give you a class assignment.
May ABD come to take you at 4:30 pm? You may study only one chapter. Though there’re
more chapters, He permits you to study only one of them.
4. The
use of “Might”
We use might to show the possibility
like: “He may complete the course on time, but if he is absent, he might have a problem to cover. There is a black cloud in the sky which means it might
rain like the cats and dogs.
5. The
use of “Shall” is to show determination or intent.
Shall is frequently used to express
determination or intent, as in I shall go to the palace or we shall give up our
hope. The differences are minor, but it is worth noting that shall is in use
with all verbs to form the future tense.
Note that Modern English Grammar has a
new system of using shall for the pronouns I and WE only.
6. The
use of “Should” is to give advice or a strong suggestion.
You should keep in touch with the
writers and should study varied books to learn the techniques of writing. When
you go to airport, you should show your passport.
7. The
use of “Must” is to pass your very strong advice or requirement.
He has chest pain and a high fever. He
must consult his private doctor. (it displays very strong advice or compulsion) we use the negative form of must as Mustn't to the things we're not allowed to do like We mustn’t
drive your car without fastening the belt! (We’re not allowed to do this.)
8. The
use of “Will” is to express beliefs about the present or future.
Will is in use to show our belief in the
present and future matters like ABD will be at college (present), He will not
be early. (Future), ABD will have to write the Pioneer Magazine (future)
Will is also used in the real comparison of the If Clause like, “If you give me your number, I will call you and say I love
you.”
9. The
use of “Would” is to express the past
Would is the past form of will to an
extent like I went there and I would like to buy a gift for her but as I saw my
money purse, I was broke. ‘Would’ can notify the present moment like I would like
to ABD Sir on the podium to give his motivational tips for the examination.
Have
to/has to/ had to/will have to are of semi-modal auxiliary verbs that are
needed to show obligation and give advice. We use “have to/has to in the
present/near future,” “had to in the past” and “will have to in the future.” I have
to go now and she had to take her exams. Maya has to call him because of something.
“Don't have to / doesn’t have to” expresses something that isn’t needed. Ought to is
the more polite form of ‘have to.” Furthermore, ‘be supposed to is ‘we expect
him/her to’ ‘be allowed to’ to give permission someone.’ It’s a great book. You
ought to read it! (or You must read it.) Santi Maam is supposed to base the
grades on the tests and assignments. The students in our college don’t have to
wear the school uniform, but they aren’t allowed to wear any color they want. They
are permitted to / they can even wear a pink shirt with yellow stripes. ”Be
able to show ability.” “I don’t know when I will be ready. I will be able to
give you an answer later. Is he able to do it?
Past
structures of Modal verbs
1. Could
have + past participle
a. Describe something you were
able to do, but didn't do.
Ø I
could have phoned, but I preferred to talk to you personally. (I was able to
phone, but I didn't.)
Ø She
could have won the competition, but in the end, she gave up. (She was able to
win the competition, but she didn't.)
Ø You
could have passed the test if you had studied for it. (You were able to pass
the test, but you didn't.)
b. To describe something possible, but didn't happen.
Ø You
could have dropped all the plates. Be more careful next time. (There was a possibility
of dropping all the plates, but it didn't happen.)
Ø He
could have broken his leg. It's good you were there to catch him. (There was a
possibility of him breaking his leg, but it didn't happen.)
Ø She
could have lost her job if they had found out. (There was a possibility of her
losing her job, but it didn't happen.)
To think what happened without knowing
for sure.
Ø I'm
not sure why he's so late. He could have missed the bus. (The speculation: he
missed the bus, but it's not known for sure.)
Ø They
didn't know why the shipment hasn't arrived yet. They said it could have gone
to the wrong address. (The speculation: it went to the wrong address, but it's
not known for sure.)
Ø What
could have gone wrong? (In other words, can you think of what went wrong?)
d. Could have been:
Ø I
could have been there on time if I had left home earlier. (It was possible for
me to be there on time, but it didn't happen.)
Ø They
could have been married if he hadn't cheated on her. (It was possible for them
to be married, but it didn't happen.)
Ø I
don't know why she didn't read it. That page could have been missed. (The
speculation: the page was missed, but it's not known for sure.)
Could in a nutshell
•
In conclusion, we use could to talk about possibilities like I could go shopping with you if I have time tomorrow. However, could have v3 is applied to talk
about alternative possibilities of the past or to talk about the imaginary situation
in the past like I could have been on time if I’d woken up earlier. You
could’ve been a doctor if you’d studied harder at school. “Please drive more
carefully! You could’ve killed us.”
2. ‘will have’ and ‘would have’
a. We use will have when
we are looking back from a point in time in the future:
By the end of the decade, scientists will have discovered a
cure for influenza. I will phone you at six o'clock. He will have got home
by then.
b. or looking back from
the present:
Look at the time. The match will
have started. It's half past five. Dad will have finished work
by now.
c. We use would have as
the past tense form of will have:
I phoned at six o'clock. I knew he would
have gotten home by then. It was half past five. Dad would have
finished work.
d. We also use would have in conditionals to
talk about something that did not happen in the past: If it
had been a little warmer, we would have gone for a swim. ( but
it was cold so we didn't go for a swim) He would have been very
angry if he had seen you. (but he didn't see you so he wasn't
angry)
Would in precisely
We use would to imagine results like if I
were taller, I would be better at sports. However, would have v3 is applied to
imagine the result of the past if things were different. Would in past is more
certain than could have v3. If I had gotten one more question correct, I would
have passed the test. She wouldn’t have gotten wet if she’d taken her umbrella.
I would have made a great lawyer.
3. Must Have Done (V3)
Modal "must" has a meaning of
necessity, many think that "must have V3" has the same meaning as
"should have V3". However; We use must when we talk about a strong
possibility based on facts referring to the past like I saw Sabita crying a
few minutes ago. She must have heard the bad news. I'm quite sure that I put my
phone on my desk; now that it's not there somebody must have taken it. Do you
know where Martin is? I haven't seen him, but I'm sure he must have left the office
as it's 5 o'clock already. Both "must have" and "should
have" are perfect models and they should be followed by a past participle
(verb3)They mustn't have arrived (arrive) early, or else they would have called
us. He shouldn't have dropped (drop) out of school. She regrets doing so
now.
4. Should/Ought to Have Done (V3)
Should have + past participle talks
about past events, actions that did not happen but it would be better if they
had happened. A mistake or regret is implied. You should/ought to have checked
your report thoroughly before you handed it in. You should/ought to have asked
my permission before you used my computer. I’m really angry with you. We use the third form (verb3) of the verb after the modal "Should / ought to
have." (Ought to being a little stronger) They should/Ought to have
listened to me and bought that house last year before the prices increased. You
shouldn't have been watching TV all night yesterday, that’s why you feel so tired
now. In the negative form, "Ought to is Ought not to".
More
examples of Should have.
I’m sorry! I shouldn’t
have yelled at you yesterday. That was wrong of me. I should have studied for
the test. I should have bought the computer when it was in the sale. Therefore,
should have verb3 is used to express regret and to recommend different actions
in the past, whereas should in present is used for advice.
As a whole
a.
Could/may/migh+have+v3= past possibility
Example: Where is ABD?
(Present)
He could/may/might have
gone home. (past)
Where is my shopping
bag? (Present)
I could/may/might have
left in the café. (Past)
b. This was an option
but I chose this
We could have stayed
longer, but I was getting a bit chilly. We decided to go home.
c. Could have/might
have +v3= sth didn’t happen
I’m so glad that my
brother was wearing his helmet.
He could/might have
been really hurt. (no use of may’ve happened)
Hey, do you know if ABD
locked up last night?
ABD may/might/could
have locked up last night. (maybe happened )
No, ABD didn’t lock up
last night. (didn’t happen 100% fact)
ABD must have locked up
last night.
Yes, ABD locked up last
night. ( happened 100% fact).
He must have been
sleeping.
So, must have v3 is for
100% fact.
Should have +v3 is for
expectation, regret and this is better.
Ram should have landed
now. He should have landed 30 mins ago. He should have called me. (I’m
expecting but I don’t know he landed or not
I should have studied
English sooner. I shouldn’t have spoken to my mom like that. (Regret)
A: I feel gross.
B: you shouldn’t have
eaten 8 donuts.
.They should've
increased their price. (Criticism)
You are an hour late. You should’ve called me.
(it would be better if you call me but you didn’t call me)
Would’ve V3 is “For
hypothetical past/not real/ imaginary”
I would have gone
jogging this morning, but my back was hurting a bit.
A: I bought a pen
online, but it had no ink. So I threw it away.
B: You threw it away? I
would’ve returned it.