Modal
Modals are helping verbs. We use the modals with other verbs to help express meanings such as
A modal is usually followed by the infinitive form of a verb. Modals have many different uses.
1) Expressing Ability and Inability
We use can to express ability
We use cannot to express inability
During the conversation or in informal writing, we can use the contraction can’t or cannot.
Examples:
1. I can climb this coconut tree fast
2. My mother can cook a delicious food.
3. He cannot speak English well.
4. He can’t write a letter in English.
5. The manager of this company cannot come tomorrow morning.
2). Expressing permission
We can use can or May to express permission, it means that somebody is either allowed to or not allowed to do something. We use cannot or may not to express prohibition, which means are not allowed to do something.
1. you can go to Merapi volcano in the morning
2. We may buy a new clothes in Ramayana by motor bike
3. You cannot go alone at night.
4. He may not smoke in this room.
5. The bus may pass this street.
6. Can I turn on the television?
7. May I drink this water? I am very thirsty.
8. You may come to my house tonight.
3). Expressing obligation and necessity.
Must is used to express an obligation or necessity. And it can be used to command.
Examples:
You must study hard to pass the exam.
We must submit the paper before mid test.
You must come back at 8 a.m.
She must follow the rules.
Handy must go to campus diligently.
4). Making offer
Modal can be used to make an offer.
Can is used to offer to do something for somebody.
Can I help you to carry your luggage.
Can I help you to paint the wall?
Can I give you a help) Can I repeat your dialogue?
Would is used to offer somebody something.
Would you like more tea?
Would you like to have fried rice?
When we make an offer or suggestion, we often use could to sound more polite.
I could phone you when the bus arrives.
You could come to my canteen if you are hungry.
May is a more polite form of both can and could when offering to do something.
May I open the door?
You may put on your jacket.
May she help you
May my father accompany you to go to campus?
The teacher may give new lesson after finishing the first chapter.
5). Making Requests
The modals Can, May, Shall and could are used to make requests. They should be used according to the situation.
Can is used for formal situations.
Can I have a glass of avocado juice?
Can I borrow your eraser?Can I take your bag?
May, Shall, and could are used for formal situations. May is more polite and more formal than could.
Waiter, may I have a glass of coffee?
Shall I close the window
Could you hold this for me please?
6). Seeking and Giving Advice
Should is usually used for seeking advice.
Should we take the train or bus?
When should I come to your office
Where should I put this flower?
Should or ought to can be used to give advice. Ought to express a much stronger sense of duty than should.
You should make up your face Fanny, you will be more beautiful.
You ought to look after your youngest brother, Tom.
We should not bring a lot of fruits to the hospital.
We ought not to pass the fly over.
We can use must to give very strong advice to someone
You must follow the rules, if you want to graduate soon.
This book is very excellent you must read it!
Lecturer : Brian, you get very bad score in chemical.
Brian : Yes, sir. I have to work in some store to get money and to fund my lecture.
Lecturer : But you must manage your time well. Your lecture is the first priority.
7). Expressing Preference
To show our preference for one thing or action over another, we use would.
I would like some avocado juice.
Potter would go jogging in the evening.
I would like some fried chicken.
To place greater emphasis on our choice or to point out the difference in choices, we can add rather after the modal would.
Mr. Edwin would rather stay at home.
The architect would rather design the Selat Sunda Bridge.
The students would rather do the assignment.
8).Expressing Habit
To talk about past habits, we can use used to or would.
We used to go by bike to campus in 2009. We would take a break in the small cafeteria when we got tired.
The students of Gajah Mada University used to do their research in a village. They would observe the condition of the environment in there.
To talk about present habits or the daily activities, we can use will.
Every day without fail our mother will prepare the lunch boxes for us.
Every time, we will send the letter to the manager.
Every week, we will report the hot news.
9). Expressing Possibility
We use can to express possibility. The negative can’t suggests that it is not possible to do something.
We can finish this job if we have more time.
I can’t carry this. It’s too heavy.
We can use may to express possibility.
It may be false.
I may get a distinction if I study harder.
You may get the trophy if you work hard.
10). Expressing Determination and Intention
We can use will or shall to show that we plan or intend to do something.
I will chase him until I catch him.
I shall not eat any junk food for the next two weeks.
We will stop this program for two months later.
We can use will or shall to show that we plan or intend to do something.
I shall report the international journal every day.
I will visit my pen-pal, Sam, when I reach Ireland.
ability, possibility, permission, and obligation.
1) Expressing Ability and Inability
We use can to express ability
We use cannot to express inability
During the conversation or in informal writing, we can use the contraction can’t or cannot.
Examples:
1. I can climb this coconut tree fast
2. My mother can cook a delicious food.
3. He cannot speak English well.
4. He can’t write a letter in English.
5. The manager of this company cannot come tomorrow morning.
2). Expressing permission
We can use can or May to express permission, it means that somebody is either allowed to or not allowed to do something. We use cannot or may not to express prohibition, which means are not allowed to do something.
1. you can go to Merapi volcano in the morning
2. We may buy a new clothes in Ramayana by motor bike
3. You cannot go alone at night.
4. He may not smoke in this room.
5. The bus may pass this street.
6. Can I turn on the television?
7. May I drink this water? I am very thirsty.
8. You may come to my house tonight.
3). Expressing obligation and necessity.
Must is used to express an obligation or necessity. And it can be used to command.
Examples:
You must study hard to pass the exam.
We must submit the paper before mid test.
You must come back at 8 a.m.
She must follow the rules.
Handy must go to campus diligently.
4). Making offer
Modal can be used to make an offer.
Can is used to offer to do something for somebody.
Can I help you to carry your luggage.
Can I help you to paint the wall?
Can I give you a help) Can I repeat your dialogue?
Would you like more tea?
When we make an offer or suggestion, we often use could to sound more polite.
I could phone you when the bus arrives.
May is a more polite form of both can and could when offering to do something.
May I open the door?
You may put on your jacket.
May she help you
May my father accompany you to go to campus?
The teacher may give new lesson after finishing the first chapter.
5). Making Requests
The modals Can, May, Shall and could are used to make requests. They should be used according to the situation.
Can is used for formal situations.
Can I have a glass of avocado juice?
May, Shall, and could are used for formal situations. May is more polite and more formal than could.
Waiter, may I have a glass of coffee?
Shall I close the window
6). Seeking and Giving Advice
Should is usually used for seeking advice.
Should we take the train or bus?
When should I come to your office
Should or ought to can be used to give advice. Ought to express a much stronger sense of duty than should.
You should make up your face Fanny, you will be more beautiful.
You ought to look after your youngest brother, Tom.
We should not bring a lot of fruits to the hospital.
We can use must to give very strong advice to someone
You must follow the rules, if you want to graduate soon.
Lecturer : Brian, you get very bad score in chemical.
Brian : Yes, sir. I have to work in some store to get money and to fund my lecture.
Lecturer : But you must manage your time well. Your lecture is the first priority.
7). Expressing Preference
To show our preference for one thing or action over another, we use would.
I would like some avocado juice.
Potter would go jogging in the evening.
To place greater emphasis on our choice or to point out the difference in choices, we can add rather after the modal would.
Mr. Edwin would rather stay at home.
The architect would rather design the Selat Sunda Bridge.
The students would rather do the assignment.
8).Expressing Habit
To talk about past habits, we can use used to or would.
We used to go by bike to campus in 2009. We would take a break in the small cafeteria when we got tired.
The students of Gajah Mada University used to do their research in a village. They would observe the condition of the environment in there.
To talk about present habits or the daily activities, we can use will.
Every day without fail our mother will prepare the lunch boxes for us.
Every time, we will send the letter to the manager.
Every week, we will report the hot news.
9). Expressing Possibility
We use can to express possibility. The negative can’t suggests that it is not possible to do something.
We can finish this job if we have more time.
I can’t carry this. It’s too heavy.
We can use may to express possibility.
It may be false.
I may get a distinction if I study harder.
You may get the trophy if you work hard.
10). Expressing Determination and Intention
We can use will or shall to show that we plan or intend to do something.
I will chase him until I catch him.
I shall not eat any junk food for the next two weeks.
We will stop this program for two months later.
We can use will or shall to show that we plan or intend to do something.
I shall report the international journal every day.
I will visit my pen-pal, Sam, when I reach Ireland.
