Model Forms & Modal Auxiliary Verbs SS3 English Studies Lesson Note

MODAL FORMS AND USES

Instructional Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. define an auxiliary verb.
2. mention the two types of auxiliary verbs.
3. explain the modal auxiliary verbs.
4. identify the forms and uses of modal auxiliary verbs.

Instructional Resource: A chart with modal auxiliary verbs boldly written on it.

Auxiliary Verbs

1. Primary Auxiliary                   

•  Be 
• Have 
• Do

1. Modal Auxiliary                       

• shall, 
• can, 
• could, 
• may, 
• will, 
• might
• must, 
• ought to, etc.

Modal auxiliary verbs are verbs used to express mood such as capability, permission, probability, determination, possibility, futurity and necessity. Modal auxiliaries do not stand on their own except in question tags.

Forms of modal Auxiliary Verbs:

1. The present tense form: Examples: Shall, will, can, may, must, dare, need, ought to.
2. The past tense form: examples. Should, would, could, might.
3. The negative forms: examples: Will not, cannot, may not, must not, dare not, need not and ought not to.

     Note that “must, dare, need and ought to” have no past tense forms.

Uses of modal Auxiliary Verbs.

1. May: This is used to show permission or possibility. Examples:

1. May I sit down (permission).
2. He may/might know the answer (possibility).

1. Might: Although ‘might’ is the past tense of ‘may’ it however does not necessarily show past time. e.g.  

     (a) It might be right. (possibility).

(b) He might be ill, I’ll phone him. (possibility). 

1. Can: It is used to show ability, permission and possibility. Examples.

1. I can swim. (Ability).
2. Can we come in? (permission)
3. You can take my share of the food. (possibility).

1. Could: It is used as the past tense of ‘can’ but it does not necessarily show past time. It shows ability and possibility. Examples: a. She could do it. (Future ability).

1. It could rain on Monday. (Future possibility)

1. Must: This implies a necessity, obligation, or assumption, conviction or negative condition. Examples:

1. All visitors must report to reception on arrival. (obligation).
2. We must eat in order to live. (necessity).
3. He must be a thief. (conviction).
4. She must have dialled the wrong number. (Assumption).
5. You must not begin until I tell you. (command/negative condition).

1. Should and would: This is used to express futurity, advice, criticism, assumptions, deductions and requests.

1. You should eat the food if given. (future/condition)
2. They should be in Lokoja by 6pm. (future)
3. You should always take fruits. (advice)
4. She should have asked her first. (criticism)
5. He would make a good lawyer, but he’s a doctor. (assumption)
6. Would you wash those clothes for me? (request).

1. Ought to/has to/have to/need to/. These are used to express duty, obligation, advice and criticism. Examples:

1. You ought to go to bed earlier. (advice)
2. He ought to have known what would happen as a leader. (criticism).
3. I have to revise for my test. (obligation).
4. He needs to visit the dentist immediately. (advice)
5. Kayode has to repair the device. (duty).

1. Used to: It is used both as an auxiliary and an adjective.

1. As auxiliary – e.g. –

1. I used to like palm wine but now it disturbs my stomach.
2. Henry used to play football before he had an injury.

Note that “used to” cannot be used to express a present habit since it has no present tense.

1. As an adjective: “Used to” has the tense of “accustomed to” or “familiar with”. It may be followed by a noun, pronoun or gerund. Examples.

• Musa is used to his sister’s insults.
• He is used to eating bread with stew.
• The boy was not used to hard work.

9. Shall and will:

Both are used to express futurity. “Will” is used to express habit, assumption and willingness. “Shall” should only be used with the first person pronouns ‘I’ and ‘we’. Examples:

1. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
2. I shall see them tomorrow.
3. She will not do her homework in time.
4. The principal will be in his office now. 

Assignment:

Write ten sentences using modal auxiliary verbs.

References Materials: 

• New Oxford Secondary English Course for Senior Secondary Schools BK 3, by Ayo Banjo et al.
• New Comprehensive English Language for Senior Secondary Schools by Martins I. Amaechi.