In English, as you know, there are four types of verbs: auxiliary, semantic, verbs that connect the subject with the object, and modal. The latter are used extremely frequently in a huge number of languages. Their role is unspeakably important in English, German and other languages. Therefore, the assimilation of this topic is very important. As for the English language, the main rule is that modal verbs cannot be used on their own. They are always used in combination with the usual semantic verb.
It must be remembered that modal verbs differ from others in that they do not have participles, gerunds, infinitives and impersonal forms.
What modal verbs exist in English?
There are five basic modal verbs: need, can, must, may, ought. They can mean probability, possibility, ability, the need to perform some specific action, which is revealed in the semantic verb.
It's important to remember that modal verbs are never followed by to. But there is an exception, for example, the use of the particle to is necessary with the modal verb ought. Some modal verbs can have a present and past tense form, while others can only have a present tense form. This category of verbs is often called Defective verbs, which translates as "insufficient verbs". They are called so because of the lack of other forms that other verbs in English have.
There are five main modal verbs in English, the features of which will be discussed in this article.
Features
Modal verbs (need, can, must, may, ought) cannot refer to specific actions or processes. Their task is to express the speaker's attitude to what is happening, to evaluate a certain action or process.
But which verbs have the past form and which do not? So, modal verbs that have two forms (past and present) include can, may. In the past tense, these verbs will look like this: can - could, may - might. The modal verbs need, must, ought do not have a past tense form.
But how to build negative and interrogative sentences containing modal verbs? The rule for constructing negative and interrogative sentences is as follows: in interrogative modal verbs are placed in the first place, and in negative ones you just need to put after itparticle not, which carries the negation.
Modal verb need in English
It is worth noting that need can be both a semantic verb and a modal one. However, there is a noticeable difference in usage. First you need to find out the meaning of need, the translation of which will sound like "need". If this verb is used as a semantic one, then it can be safely put in the past tense, in the case of the modal verb need, this will be considered a gross mistake.
We need your help / We need your help (need - semantic verb).
Do I need to explain it again? Do I need to explain it again? (need - modal verb).
As a deficient verb, need is usually used in negative sentences. In the negative form, the verb need has the following translation: "not necessary" or "optional".
As for affirmative sentences, this verb usually occurs in a formal context, accompanied by a negative word.
Modal verb need: exercises
Exercises will help to consolidate skills and distinguish between the use of the verb need from other modal verbs.
You can use test tasks or exercises for training in which you need to translate and determine which verb is need:
We have got plenty of time. We _ hurry
A) needn’t
B) didn’t use to
C)mustn't
D) didn't need to
Need we go there? (Do we have to go there?) I'll need this magazine (I will need this magazine). You need to work harder (You need to work harder)
The verb can and its features
As mentioned above, this verb has a past tense form. And it is important to note that it is used extremely often in the English language. One could even say that it is the most used modal verb of all.
But what is its peculiarity? What does it mean? Can can be used in several situations. First, if you want to express the possibility or ability of a particular action. Secondly, using this verb, you can express doubt or surprise.
It is important to note that in the future tense can, which translates as "to be able", is replaced by the construction to be able to, which has a similar translation.
Verbs may and might
These verbs cause the greatest difficulties for foreigners when learning English, because in different situations they are able to interchange each other or express the past or present tense. It is important to note that the verb may does not have an abbreviated negative form, but might is easily reduced to mightn`t. But this form of abbreviation is extremely rare.
Might is the past form of may, but it's important to note that this verb can also be used as a standalone modal. They express uncertainty, the likelihood of any action. But the difference is that may carries more certainty than a verb.might.
- It may rain today
- He might come / He might come.
Modal verb must
This modal verb is most often used to express confidence, necessity, obligation of something. The use of must in the negative form expresses the prohibition of something, and this verb has a rather strict connotation. In the English language spoken by modern people, the equivalents of this modal verb are most often used to make sentences sound less categorical.
- I must make sure cargoes reach their destination
- We must build this house by autumn
So the verb must is used to express:
- categorical ban;
- confidence, certainty;
- strong recommendation;
- need.
It is important to understand the importance of mastering the topic of modal verbs. After all, they play a very important role in the English language.
