LBCC E-ESL Online Learning

Modals Opus

(everything about Modals)

Introduction	Uses of Modals
Reference by Function	Reference by Modal

Introduction

This lesson is the starting point for the Long Beach City College's ESL modal lessons. From here, you will be able to reference lessons by function or by the modal.

Modals, or modal auxiliaries, are helping verbs. Some quick rules about modals follow.

Modals are always accompanied by other verbs.
Modals are never conjugated.
Modals are followed by the simple form of the verb.

Uses of Modals

Modals are used to convey many different kinds of meaning. Most modals have more than one meaning.

Modals are used to show the following meanings.

ability
possibility
probability
permission
advisability
necessity
requesting assistance
making conclusions
giving instructions
making suggestions
showing preference
making offers
maing promises or predictions

Reference by Usage

Function	MODAL(S)
ability	can could
possibility	could may might
probability	must must not
permission	may can could
advisability	had better ought to should
necessity	have got to have to must
lack of necessity and prohibition	do not have to must not
requesting assistance	can could will would
making conclusions	must
giving instructions	simple form of a verb
making suggestions	let's why don't
showing preference	like ... better than ... prefer would rather

Reference by Modal

Modal	Function(s)
can	ability permission requesting assistance
could	ability requesting assistance
had better	advisability
have to	necessity
have got to	necessity
let's	making suggestions
like ... better than ...	showing preference
may	possibility permission
might	possibility
must	probability necessity making conclusions
must not	prohibition
prefer	showing preference
simple form of the verb	giving instructions
why don't	making suggestions
will	requesting assistance
would	requesting assistance

2004 by Long Beach City College
Page last updated October 5, 2004 by Harold Foot