Modal auxiliary verbs

A modal auxiliary verb is the type of verbs used to show modality. That is, it is used to express likelihood, ability, uncertainty, permission, compulsion, obligation or necessity. Examples are

can/could,

may/might,

will/would,

shall/should,

must,

need, etc.

Modal auxiliary verbs try to give information about the main verbs that they are helping. A modal auxiliary verb deals with the mood and tense of the speaker. Modal auxiliary verbs are not used for things that happen definitely. Also, unlike, the primary auxiliary verbs, modals disallow -s, -ing, -en, or any other infinitive form. However, ought/had to is the only modals that allow to-infinitive. This kind of modal are considered as semi-modal. The rest of this kind of modal are have to, has to, be able to, got to, etc.

Now that you’ve got a glimpse of what modal auxiliary verbs are, let’s lunch into details with helpful examples.

Modal auxiliary verbs are further classified into two groups. They are:

a.      Main modals auxiliary verbs

b.      Semi-modals auxiliary verbs

Did you get that? Good! Let’s now consider them each.
Main Modal Verbs