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Structure: ‘Modals 1’

What are modal verbs?

They are a kind of auxiliary (extra) verb. They indicates if the speaker thinks that something or a situation is likely to happen or not, or if something or a situation is desirable or not.

Some facts about modal verbs.

  • We use modal verbs with another verb.
  • We use them with another verb without ‘to’
    • will travel (use travel without ‘to’
  • the conjugations are the same for all subjects
    • I / you / he / she / it / we / you / they might travel…
  • We make the negative by using ‘not’ after the modal verb or using the contracted form
    • will not travel OR won’t travel
    • might not travel OR mightn’t travel
  • We make the question by changing the order of the person (subject) and the modal verb
    • Could you help me with…?
  • We don’t use two modal verbs together
    • INCORRECT I might could do the training
    • CORRECT I could do the training
  • We don’t use modal verbs with other auxiliary verbs
    • INCORRECT Do you would fly tomorrow?
    • CORRECT Would you fly tomorrow?

Look at the diagram below for a list of nine modal verbs and a summary of the basic information about them.

A list of modal verbs and some basic information about them.
Modals 1.

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