Introduction
There are nine modal verbs in English: can, could, may,
might, will (shall), would, should, must and
ought. They are auxiliary verbs, used before the
infinitive form of main verbs (without 'to' except after 'ought').
Modals mainly express meanings related to degrees of certainty,
possibility, obligation or freedom to act. Need
and dare can also be used as auxiliary modals, as
can the phrase had better.
Most common
errors made with modal verbs involve wrong usage on the
scale of 'strength', from absolute obligation (must, have to, will)
to weak possibility (might, could).
Moral obligations are expressed by 'should and 'ought to'.
Check that your sentence expresses the appropriate meaning.
Modal verbs are frequently used in the recommendation section of
an FYP.
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e.g. |
Links
This web site gives a
tutorial on modal verbs with quizzes to practise using specific
verbs.
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html
(Accessed 7 February 2003)
