ModalsHelping Verbs and Verb

PhraseJessenia Rivera Gonzalez

Modal means modality, which in turns means the manner in which the meaning of a clause is qualified so as to reflect the speaker’s judgment of the likelihood of the proposition it expresses being true.

Modals

They are used to indicate modality. They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Uses: Permission Ability Obligation Prohibition Lack of necessity Advice possibility probability

Use of Modal Verbs:

CouldShould/ Ought toWouldMayMightCanShallwill

Modals

Can:◦ Smoking can cause cancer.

Could:◦ Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the

city.  May:

◦ I may see you tomorrow before I leave Might:

◦ It might rain this afternoon.

Possibility

Can:◦She can speak several languages

◦He can swim like a fish.Could:◦She could speak several languages.

◦They could dance very well.

Ability

Must:◦ You must stop at a red light.◦ We must get a permit to enter the park next week. 

Should/ Ought to:◦ You ought to / should do as he says◦ You ought to/ should study for your test.

Shall:◦ The Consultant shall provide the services to the client.◦ “You shall not pass”

Necessity or Obligation

Will:◦ I will take care of everything for you.◦ I will mail you my address.

Would:◦ I would help you with your homework. ◦ I would do anything for you.

Shall:◦ I shall never forget where I came from.

Promise or Intention

Can:◦ Can you wait a moment, please?◦ Can we go home?

Could:◦ Could you take a message please?◦ Could I ask a question please?

Would:◦ Would you please be quiet? ◦ Would you mind if I sat here?

Will:◦  Will you do me a favor?◦ Will you please take the trash out?

May:◦ May I ask a question please?◦ May we go home now?

Request or Permission

Will:◦ It will rain tomorrow.◦ Experts believe that the recession will continue.

Would:◦ I was told I would feel better after this medicine.◦ You would feel better after a while.

Shall:◦ I shall regret this for the rest of my life.◦ No doubt I shall see you next week.

Prediction

Should:◦ You should send an email.◦ We should go by train.

Could:◦ We could meet at the weekend.◦ You could eat out tonight.

Suggestion or Advice

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb2. A helping verb

Example:

The brown cow is jumping over the rusty fence.

Molly is talking to Billy.

What is a Verb Phrase?

Look at these sentences:

Examples

1. Monica did go to the store.

did = helping verb

go=main verb

2.Juli is driving to the high school.

is = helping verb

driving=main verb

3. Mr. Goodwell did teach students to use the internet.

did = helping verb

teach=main verb

Examples: I will be speaking about the environment.

You will have to go again.

He must have been driving too fast.

The car might have been going at 75 miles per hour.

Note: Sometimes a Verb Phrases are more than one word

Sometimes a Verb Phrases are more than one word