Modal verbs in English show the speaker's attitude towards what he is talking about. This article provides features of use, example sentences with translation into Russian and a detailed table of possible meanings of English modal verbs, also supported by specific examples.
The meaning of using modalities is to express possibility or impossibility, desire - reluctance, conjecture, doubtfulness, motivation, intention. In English this relationship is expressed using 10 auxiliary verbs: 
Features of modal verbs in examples with translation
Modal verbs in English function as auxiliary verbs; they change the meaning of the other verb they control. The main verb that follows the modal is usually used in the infinitive form without a particle to, except for the modal verb ought, which is used with the particle to
I might see him tomorrow(I might see him tomorrow)
Modal verbs in English never change their form: no need to add-(e)s in third person singular, -ed (past tense), -ing
Paul can help us(Paul can help us)
Also modal verbs do not require the use do when forming questions and negations.
Will I go?(I will go?)
They mustn't worry about that(They don't have to worry about it)
Modal verbs can be used with verbs in and in the Passive:
I should be worrying(I should be worried)
The letter can be written on Sunday(The letter can be written on Sunday)
Modal verbs can be used in short answers and:
She will arrive tomorrow, won’t she? Well, she might(She's coming tomorrow, isn't she? Well, yes, maybe)
Modal verbs usually express attitudes towards the present and future:
I can leave the party immediately, if she likes(I can leave the party immediately if she wants) - present
I may call him later(I can call him later) - future
But some of them express attitudes towards past events:
John could read before he went to school(John could read before he went to school)
Sometimes, instead of modals, it is necessary to use other verbs that are not modal and all of the above properties do not apply to them. These verbs are used with a particle to and have all the properties of ordinary verbs: have to, used to, are (is) was to, be able to, need to, managed to, be supposed to, be allowed to.
You dared me to run a marathon race(You gave me the courage to run a marathon)
Does he need to read now?(Does he need to read now?)
Sometimes these same verbs act as modal verbs and then they are used without a particle to:
They dare say(they dare to speak)
You never need to meet him again(You should never see him again)
Modal verbs in English are used for:
1. Expressions of confidence that something will happen - will, shall.
Import will continue to fall over the next year(Imports will continue to decline over the next year)
We shall be staying in London for the next week(We will be staying in London next week)
You can emphasize confidence by adding words really, (most) certainly/definitely, almost certainly
She definitely won’t like the soup(She definitely won't like the soup)
They'll certainly like their new shoes(They'll certainly love their new boots)
2. Expressions of doubt, adding words probably, presumably
He probably won’t like his new job(He might like his new job)
We'll presumably want another thing(We apparently need another thing)
Difference between will and shall
Shall is used for I,we. For other people it is considered obsolete. Only will used in questions about predictions.
Will I win the race, do you think?(Do you think I'll win the race?)
Shall used to very politely suggest something or to ask for advice:
Shall I open the window?(Should I open the window?)
Shall I wear the green or the yellow pants?(Should I wear green or yellow pants?)
3. Expressions of the possibility that something will happen
We use may, might, could to express the possibility
It may/might/could rain tomorrow(It might rain tomorrow)
Table of possible meanings of modal verbs with example sentences
The category of modality is an important link in the language system. Without it, speech would be devoid of many shades, sometimes of decisive importance. So, for example, English modal verbs and their equivalents in relation to the main action make it possible to express:
- possibilities;
- advice, assumptions;
- prohibitions;
- requests and permissions;
- necessity.
Agree, there is a difference between the expressions “ I'm writing a letter" And " I was forced to write a letter" The fundamental meaning of the phrase is the same - a person writes a letter, but the modal transmission of circumstances reveals the essence of the action in a completely different light. Today we will study representatives of the class of modal verbs, and also select synonyms for them.
To simplify the perception of information, we will distribute all modal verbs and their substitutes into significant categories.
Possibilities
The main exponent of physical, mental and other abilities to perform actions is the verb can, which is translated into Russian to mean “I can, I can.”
- We can speak Spanishwell– We speak Spanish well.
- It does not change either in numbers or in persons. In addition, can independently creates questions and denials.
- Can she write verses? – Can she write poetry?
- Mychildren can 't read yet– My children don’t know how to read yet.
In the past tense, the form could is also the same for everyone. Sometimes it is replaced with a similar meaning managed ( managed). But for the formation of the future they use to be able to ( be able to).
- NextyearI will be able to speak Polishfluently– Next year I will be able to speak Polish fluently.
Formal opportunities, requests and permissions
Formal possibilities, that is, possibilities associated with external circumstances, are expressed by may and its past form might. It is translated as “to be able”, but in a more abstract meaning, close to its synonym to be allowed to ( be allowed). That is, an action can be performed because circumstances, desires or opportunities have developed this way.
- We may play footballonFriday– We can play football on Friday.
You can often see may used in interrogative form as a request.
- Mom, may Jack visit us? – Mom, can Jack come visit us?
Accordingly, sentences with negations will express refusal.
- You may not use mycomputer– You cannot use my computer.
By the way, the English are increasingly using can in the request-prohibition function. But can and may are not capable of creating the context of the future, so in such situations the already mentioned tobeallowedto.
- Our company will be allowed to start the building of cottages –Ourcompanieswill allowbeginconstructionthesecottages.
The largest group, the meanings of which are reflected by many modal verbs and their equivalents. Moreover, each representative has a special semantic nuance.
The modal verb must is responsible for categorical necessity. It expresses an obligation determined by a person for himself independently, i.e. This is not external pressure, but decision-making based on personal motives and principles.
- I must go home- I have to go home.
In the negative form, this verb plays the role of a strict prohibition, almost a command.
- You mustn 't talk thatwaywithyourparents. “You shouldn’t talk to your parents in that tone.”
Must is the same for all persons, but does not form the future and past tenses. It is replaced by the verb of obligation have to. Its main purpose is to indicate the forced necessity of performing an action, i.e. to pressure from the outside.
- We had to make thereportyesterday– We should have made this report yesterday.
In the present tense, the verb have to has two forms: for the 3rd person singular. – has, for everyone else – have. Questions and negatives are constructed using the auxiliary do.
- She has to go to the office on Saturday –SheforcedgoVofficeVSaturday.
- Do I have to make this report? –Imustdothisreport?
Both verbs are also used to express assumptions, but must is used in this role much more often than have to. In the Russian translation this meaning is expressed by the introductory combination “ there must be».
- It must be true- This must be true.
If necessity and duty arose as a result of a preliminary agreement, then another equivalent comes into play - the verb to be to. It changes in numbers and persons, and expresses the meaning “must, must” (since this was discussed in advance).
- The driver is to meet you at 3 o’clock –The driver mustmeetyouat 3hours.
This form can be used in the past and future tense. Moreover, in the construction of the future, to be is replaced by have.
- The guide will have to meet this delegation next Monday –The guide is scheduled to meet this delegation next Monday.
The weakest degree of duty and necessity, maneuvering on the verge of urgent advice and moral obligation, is expressed by the verbs should to and ought to. They have one form, so they are used only in the present tense.
- You ought to help your little brother –Youshouldto helpyoungerbrother
Sometimes necessity is expressed with the verb need to. He forms all tenses, but builds questions and negations with the help of the auxiliary do.
- I don’t need to go to the shop –To meNotneed togoVshop.
Modal verbs and their equivalents in the summary table
We will try to summarize the knowledge we have acquired, using a table of modal verbs in English and their analogues to help us.
| Modal verbs | |||
| Verb | Present | Past | Future |
| Can
Possibility, skill, ability |
can
am/are/is able to He can't (is able to) build a house. He can (able) build a house. |
could
managed to was/were able to He couldn't (was able to/managed to) build a house. He could (was able/he succeeded) build a house. |
will be able to
He will be able to build a house. He can build a house. |
| May
Formal opportunity, please |
may
am/are/is allowed to She may (is allowed to) go to the concert. She can (she was allowed) to go to a concert. |
might
was/were allowed to She might (was allowed to) go to the concert. She could (she was allowed) to go to a concert. |
will be allowed to
She will be allowed to go to the concert. She will be allowed to go to the concert. |
| Must | must
We must pay for the tickets. We have to pay for the tickets. |
had to
We had to pay for the tickets. We should have (were forced) pay for tickets. |
will have to
We will have to pay for the tickets. We will pay (we will have to pay) tickets. |
| Have to
Forced necessity |
has/have to
We have to pay for the tickets. We are forced to pay for the tickets. |
||
| To be
Obligations by agreement |
am/are/is to
We are to pay for the tickets. We are required to pay for the tickets. (there was such an agreement) |
was/were
We were to pay for the tickets. We had to pay for the tickets. |
|
| Ought to
Moral duty |
ought to
You ought to marry Pamela. You should marry Pamela. |
||
| Should | should
She should be friendly to children. She should be nicer to children. |
||
| Need to
Need, need |
need to
I need to go to my parents. I need to go to my parents. |
needed to
I needed to go to my parents. I needed to go to my parents. |
will need to
I will need to go to my parents. I will need to go to my parents. |
If you're learning English from scratch, be prepared to learn a radically different system of verbs. The English tense system and reading rules are very different from Russian. Quite often, beginners in learning, when faced with the first difficulties, give up. Nevertheless, the rules of English grammar are quite easy to understand.
Modal verbs
A modal verb is a special unit in the English language that is subject to a separate rule. There are several types of verbs in English: regular, irregular, modal. The list of irregular verbs is separate; you need to know it by heart. Regular and irregular verbs differ from each other in the way they form the past tense. Regular verbs form past tense forms by adding irregular verbs change their form completely. In addition, verbs are divided into main and auxiliary. The main ones have a lexical function and denote a specific action. Such verbs are translated into Russian. Auxiliary verbs exist only in pairs with main verbs and have a grammatical function. These verbs have no translation into Russian. Modal verbs in English have an additional function in relation to main verbs, which equates them in function to auxiliary verbs. They denote the relationship of the subject to the main action: obligation, need or ability to do something. That is, I must know or know how to swim, I can tell you, and so on.
Modal verbs: rules and examples
For comfortable language proficiency, you need to know the following list of modals must, may, need, ought to, should, have to, to be able to, manage to. As for the rules for using modal verbs, the basic principles are:
1) we do not add endings to modal verbs (with the exception of the modal verb manage to);
2) we do not put the particle to after modal verbs (except need, have to, ought to)
3) the main verb after the modal is placed in the infinitive form (initial form)
For example:
I need to go, it's late. I have to go, it's late.
You have to do this task till tomorrow evening. You must complete this task by tomorrow evening.
You ought to find another way. You should find another way out.
Students must follow university rules. Students must follow university rules.
My mother is very clever, she can speak five languages. My mother is very smart, she speaks five languages.
Modal verbs are similar in their meaning, but there are still some differences. Let's take a closer look.
Modal verb can/could
This modal verb is translated as “I can, I am able”; it can mean a skill or ability to do something. Can- present tense form, could- past tense form. If you use modal verbs according to the rule in the future tense, use the form of the modal verb to be able to - will be able to. For example:
I can swim very well, because I had very good teacher. I can swim very well because I had a good teacher.
I could see much better several years ago. A few years ago I saw much better.
We will be able to help you, explain the situation. We can help you, explain the situation.
According to the rules, the negative form of modal verbs is formed by adding not - can not, the abbreviated form can"t. For example:
I can't find my book in this mess. I can't find my book in this mess.
Could not, shortened form of couldn't. For example:
Students and pupils could be ready for this competition. Pupils and students could not prepare for this competition.
To formulate an interrogative sentence with a modal verb can/could you need to use reverse word order in the sentence, that is, put the modal verb first, not the subject. For example:
Can Mike take your shirt, his is dirty? Can Mike take your shirt, his is dirty?
Verb in interrogative form could has a polite connotation, you can use it to ask permission. For example:
Could you borrow me some salt? Can you lend me some salt?
Modal verbs to be able to/manage to
Another modal verb with the meaning “to be able to” to be able to. But if could has more general boundaries, then be able to is used in particular, specific situations. For example:
The fire spread very quickly, but everyone was able to escape. The fire spread very quickly, but everyone was able to escape.
We didn't know where is my cat, but finally we managed to find him. We didn't know where my cat was, but we were eventually able to find him.
Past form of the verb to be able to - was/were able to. Past form of the verb manage to - managed to.
To create an interrogative sentence, you need to put an auxiliary or modal verb first. For example:
Was she able to get out of the room without your help? Was she able to get out of the room without your help?
Who manage to beat the best player? Who can beat the best player?
To form a negative sentence, use the particle not or an auxiliary verb. For example:
I didn't manage to do this work without instructions. I couldn't do this job without instructions.
Modal verb must
The modal verb must expresses an extreme obligation. If you are learning English from scratch, you should know that you need to be careful with this verb, since it has a commanding meaning. When you want to give a recommendation rather than a command, you should choose a different verb. For example:
Pupils of our school must follow the Regulation. Students of our school must follow the Charter.
The modal verb must in the negative form means “is not obliged.” Formed by adding a negative particle not for example:
Your family must not move in another town if they don"t want to. Your family doesn't have to move to another city if they don't want to.
To form interrogative sentences, put must first place in the sentence.
Must the animals be kept in the cages? Should animals be kept in cages?
In addition, the verb must has another meaning. We say must be in the sense of “must be, probably.” For example:
You must be very hungry because you have missed the dinner. You must be very hungry because you missed lunch.
It must be very noisy to live in the center of such a big city. It must be very noisy living in the center of such a big city.
Modal verb may/might
May and might, like all modal verbs, according to the rule, complement the main verb. The translation of this verb is “maybe, it’s possible.” May is the present tense form, might is the past tense form. For example:
I may be one of the best students in this college. I can be the best student in college.
Where is my bag? It might be in your room. Where is my bag? She could be in your room.
He might be having lunch. He might have had lunch.
It is very strange explanation, but may be true. This is a very strange explanation, but it may be true.
To make a negative sentence, use the negative particle not - may not, might not.
It may not be truth! It can not be true!
An interrogative sentence is formed according to the general rule: put the modal verb in first place. For example:
May I open the windows, is it very hot? Can I open the window, it's very hot in here?
Modal to
It means "have to, should, must." It has three forms in present, past and future tense: have/has to, had to, will have to. For example:
You will have to stay in this flat till next summer. You will have to stay in this apartment until next summer.
She has to cook the dinner immediately. She urgently needs to prepare dinner.
We have to go away, there is no place for us anymore. We must leave, we don't belong here anymore.
My friends had to finish the work, but they failed. My friends had to do the work. but they couldn't.
To form a negative sentence with a modal verb have to need to add an auxiliary verb do/does/did and the negative particle not. For example:
You don't have to watch the film until the end. You don't have to watch the movie to the end.
These people didn't have to fix your car free. These people were not obligated to fix your car for free.
Mary doesn't have to buy all the food for you. Marie doesn't have to buy food for you.
To write an interrogative sentence with modal verbs according to the rule, have to you need to add an auxiliary verb do, does or did first place in the sentence. This is called reverse word order in a sentence. If necessary, add a question word before the auxiliary verb. For example:
Do you have to stay at work till the evening? Do you have to stay at work until the evening?
How long did you have to wait for her? How long did you have to wait for her?
Modal verb ought to
This modal verb is similar in meaning to the previous one and is synonymous. Modal verb ought to means "should, should". For example:
Girls ought to be more careful in the dark time. Girls should be careful in the dark.
In a negative sentence we add the negative particle not to the verb. For example:
They ought not to miss all the lessons. They shouldn't have missed all their classes.
To construct an interrogative sentence, place the modal verb ought at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
Ought I to follow his instructions? Should I follow his instructions?
Or with a question word:
When I wanted to come to you? When should I come to you?
Modal verb should
This modal verb also has the meaning of must, translated as “should, should”, has a softer and more polite meaning than must. Modal verb should is a past tense verb. For example:
I should stay with him when he is ill. I have to stay with him while he's sick.
You should be more carefully with your health. You should take more care of your health.
It rains every day, you should have an umbrella. It rains every day, you should carry an umbrella with you.
The negative form of the verb is formed using the negative particle not - should not, the shortened form - shouldn't. For example:
You shouldn't spend so much time with this men. You shouldn't spend so much time with this man.
The low shouldn't allow bad people to do what they want. The law should not allow scoundrels to do what they want.
Interrogative sentences with the modal verb should are formed by rearranging the members of the sentence. The modal verb comes first. For example:
Should I close the door? Should I close the door?
Should these young people behave not so noisy? Should these young people be less loud?
Possible options with a question word:
Who should take care about your dog when you are on holydays? Who should take care of your dog while you're on vacation?
W here should I put these boxes? Where should I put these boxes?
Modal verb need
This verb is one of the most frequently used in English speech. The modal verb need is translated "to need". We use it in various situations. For example:
I need to see my doctor as soon as possible. I need to see my doctor as soon as possible.
Kate needs your help, call her just now! Kate needs your help, call her now!
The negative form of this verb can be formed in two ways. By adding a negative particle not to the modal verb - need not, in the abbreviated form needn"t, or, by adding an auxiliary verb do/does/did and negative particle not - don"t need, doesn"t need, didn"t need. The meaning of the negative form is "no need", that is, there is no need, but if you want, you can do it. For example:
You needn't read all these books, choose one. You don't need to read all these books, choose one.
I don't need to listen to you anymore, I can make a decision myself. I don't need to listen to you anymore, I can make my own decision.
Use the same principle to form an interrogative sentence: put the auxiliary verb first do/does/did. For example:
Do you need to have some time to prepare? Do you need time to prepare?
Does my sister need to draw pictures? Does my sister need to draw pictures?
In the English language, in addition to verbal units that express action, there is a group of verbs that serve to fix modality in speech. In simple terms, they express not the action itself, but various kinds of relationships of a certain nature to these actions. Together with the infinitive, modal units form a compound predicate. In general, this is another group of “nasty” verbs in the English language. Modal form of the English verb The origin of these words is lost in the darkness of centuries. In any case, I was unable to come across a thread that would lead me to their origins. No matter how hard I tried to find out their basis from various sources, I did not find anything unambiguous, but also no intelligible explanation.
They differ from ordinary verbs in a number of features, which you can familiarize yourself with a little later. However, in my opinion, their most important feature is that they convey not the state or action of a person or object, but precisely our attitude: “I must know this table" or "I I want to learn these words."
What is meant by the word "attitude"? The speaker can evaluate any action as necessary, possible, requested, permitted, very probable, unlikely, prohibited, ordered, etc. Depending on the speaker’s assessment of the situation and the structure of the sentence, one of the modal verbs is used in speech.
In total, linguists managed to fix 4 actual modal ones, 4 of their main analogues, as well as 6 units of a multifunctional type.
Modal verbs in English: Modal verbs in English
- Can/Could
- May/Might
- Be to
- Have to / Have got to
- Should
- Ought to
- Would
- Used to
- Shall
The first three are used most often in speech. These verbs sometimes replace other relational words because they have a more general meaning.
Modal verbs in English form interrogative sentences without the auxiliary unit to do, and the construction itself is in preposition: Shall I help you?
The negative form in a sentence is formed by placing the particle not in postposition. Often, especially in oral communication, they merge into one form and are reduced. See table:
If you want to learn how to construct sentences correctly, then you must remember that modal verbs, excluding have (got) to, ought to and be to, are followed by a bare infinitive, and the to particle disappears: I must go.
Distinctive features
Their second name is insufficient, due to the fact that they do not have a number of grammatical forms that other words have - states or actions. Modal verbs in English have the following features:
- They are not conjugated by numbers and persons, that is, in the 3rd person singular they do not form the ending -s. The exceptions are need to, have to and be able to, since they have a conjugation paradigm
- They are used in speech together with semantic verbs, which at the same time lose the to particle, or can be omitted in the context of a text or conversation: I have to
- Lack of gerunds, participles and impersonal infinitives due to the lack of complex tense forms (see next point)
- There is no future or past tense, and there are no continuous or perfect forms, with the exception of may (might) and can (could)
To make it easier to understand the rules for using modal verbs, carefully study this table: 
Table of modal verbs Why do you need to know modal verbs? 
Their correct use in spoken literate English confirms that you have mastered a level of English that has crossed the initial basic level of everyday communication. And if you don’t use them in your speech when communicating with an American or a British person, then this means that you are still at the initial stage of learning English and do not have sufficient competence.
Therefore, improve, grow, create a positive impression! Good luck!
Modal verbs are a special group of English verbs that have a number of features
1. do not name actions, but only express the attitude of the speaker
2. do not have a number of grammatical categories
3. used without the particle ‘to’ (exceptions have to, to be to, ought to)
1) can
| meaning | example |
|---|---|
| ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) ability of physical or mental action (synonym to be able to) |
I can speak English. I can (can) speak English |
| permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) permission (synonym: to be allowed to) |
Can I go to the cinema? Can I go to the cinema? |
| request request |
Can you wait a moment, please? Could you wait a minute? |
| offer offer |
I can lend you my car till tomorrow. I can lend you my car until tomorrow. |
| suggestion offer |
Can we visit Grandma at the weekend? Let's visit grandma this weekend. |
| possibility opportunity |
It can get very hot in Arizona. Arizona can get very hot. |
2) could
| meaning | example |
|---|---|
| ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) ability of physical or mental action in the past (synonym to be able to) |
I could speak English. I could speak English. |
| permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be allowed to) permission in the past (synonym: to be allowed to) |
I could go to the cinema. I could go to the cinema. (I was allowed.) |
| polite request polite form of request |
Could you wait a moment, please? Could you wait a minute? |
| polite offer polite sentence form |
I could lend you my car till tomorrow. I could lend you my car until tomorrow. |
| polite suggestion polite sentence form |
Could we visit Grandma at the weekend? Could we go to grandma's this weekend? |
To express a single action in the past, managed to, was/were able is used instead of could:
I managed to climb the mountain without nobody's help. (I managed to climb the mountain without anyone's help.)
3) may
4) might
5) must
6) must not/may not
| meaning | example |
|---|---|
| prohibition ban |
You mustn't work on dad's computer. You are not allowed to work on your father's computer. You may not work on dad's computer. |
7) need not/don’t have to
9) shall
10) should
11) will
12) would
13) need/have to
| meaning | example |
|---|---|
| necessity necessity |
I need to/have to study tonight. You don't need to study today. |
have to used instead must in the past time