ENGLISH TRIVIA - 2 | MODALS

There are two classes of verbs.
(i) Ordinary/Regular verbs
(ii) Auxiliary verbs

Auxiliary verbs are of two kinds -
1. Primary Auxiliary
    Be, Have, Do

2. Modal Auxiliary
    May, might, should, must, will etc.



What is Modal Auxiliary?
A verb used to express the mood(mode) or attitude of a speaker is called Modal Auxiliary.

MOST COMMONLY USED MODALS

Can-------------------Could----------------May------------Might

Should---------------Would---------------Must-----------Ought to

Am/Was to----------Have/Had to--------Used to--------Need

Dare------------------Shall, will

All these Modals suggest :

•   Permission
•   Ability
•   Possibility
•   Suggestion, Advice
•   Promise
•   Intention
•   Request
•   Necessity, Compulsion
•   Prohibition
•   Wish or Prayer
•   Duty, Obligation

Different Uses of Modals

1. May & Might : It is used to express-
(A) Possibility
(i) It may/might rain.
(ii) You may fall.

(B) Permission - May I come in?

(C) Wish or Prayer 
(i) May you enjoy marital happiness!
(ii) May you live long!

(D) Purpose
(i) She came so that she might see me.

(E)Remote Possibilty
'Might' is used in place of 'may' to express remote possibility.
(i) It might rain.
(ii) He might be sleeping now.
Normally both 'May & Might' can be used to express possibility present and future. However, 'might' is used when the reporting verb is in the past. For example -
"Reenu said that she might go there.

(F) May/Might + Have : They are used to express possibility/desirability relating to the past action. For example-
(i) He may/might have left yesterday. (It is possible he left)
(ii) Better, you might not have revealed the secret. (The secret was revealed)

2. Can & Could (Able to) : ye use hote hai
(A) Ability (Present, Past & Future)
(B)  Polite Request
(C) Permission/Order
(D) Prohibition/Offer
(E) Possibility
(F) Could + Have : This form is used for past ability while indicating that the action did not take place. For example-
(i) I could have revealed the secret. (But i did not)
(ii) The Police could have arrested him. (But they did not)

3. SHOULD: It is used to express-
(A) Duty/Obligation - You should stand by your brother.
(B) Future in the past - I told him that I should go there.
(C) Purpose - Walk carefully lest you should fall.
(D) Condition - Should you work hard, you will get success. ('should' is used in the sense of 'if')
(E) Should + Have : This form is used to express obligation in the past. It may imply the non-performance of the action. For examples-
(i) You should have stood by your brother.
(ii) He should have left a message.

4. MUST : it expresses-
(A) Necessity or Obiligation (In place of 'should')
You must follow instructions
(B) Order of the speaker - You must not leave now.
(C) Strong possibility (in place of 'may')
She must be working in the office now.
(D) Determination - I must help him.
(E) Deduction, Inference
He has a big house. He must be rich.
(F) Must + Have : This form is used for a past action or situation indicating non-performance of action. For example-
(i) You must have followed instructions.
(ii) I must have helped him.

5. OUGHT TO: It expresses-
(A) Duty or Moral Obligation : It is normally used for 'should & must', when there is strong sense of moral duty, advice or indication of correct action. For example-
You ought to serve your motherland.
(B) Ought to + Have : This construction is used in relation to past action of duty that was not fulfilled or an action that was neglected in the past.
You ought to have taken care of your wife.

6. To Be + Infinitivetive : This expression is used to-
(A) Express plan - I am to make a speech tomorrow.
(B) Express order (In the sense of 'must')
Students are to wait outside.
(C) Obligation/Duty - I am to help my ailing brother.
(D) To be + Have : This expression is used to express an action that could not take place according to plan.
He was to have attended marriage but fell ill.

7. TO HAVE + INFINITIVE : This expression is used to express compulsion as is expressed with 'MUST' . It also express obligation (In the Present, Past & Future)
(i) I have to leave for Sangrur today.
(ii) I have not to meet her now.

8. USED TO : WOULD WOULD. They are used-
(A) To Denote Habitual Action or the Past Routine of the subject.
He used to go to Delhi by car
(B) To Denote discontinued Action
He used to play boxing. (now he has stopped)
(C) 'Used to' is also used as an adjective (be used to) : It is equal to 'accustomed to' as-
He is used to getting up early.

9. WOULD : It is used in the following cases-
(i) Would you please help my son? (polite request)
(ii) She told me that she would give me money. (future in the past)
(iii) If only you would stay with me. (wish)
(iv) She would be sixteen. (possibly she is)
(v) He would go to Shimla by car. (habitual)

10. NEED & NEED NOT : 'Need' can be treated as an auxiliary or as an ordinary verb. As an auxiliary verb it is used mainly in the negative and the interrogative forms with direct infinitive. It has not past tense.
(A) Need Not - It is used for an action which is not necessary. For example-
(i) He needs to work hard. (Ordinary verb)
(ii) Need I write to him? (Auxiliary verb)
(B) Need Not + Have : This form is used for an action which was not necessary but was performed. For example-
You need not have gone there.

11. DARE : 'Dare' can be treated as an auxiliary or as ordinary verb. As an auxiliary verb it is used mainly in the negative and the interrogative forms with direct infinitive.
(i) He does not dare me to fight. (challenge, Ordinary verb)
(ii) Dare you go outside now? (Auxiliary verb)
(iii) I dare say she will cheat you. (I suppose)
(iv) I dare say my friend will pass. (it is likely)

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