Auxiliaries and Modal Verbs: Understanding English Grammar

Modal verbs are one of the most important sections of English grammar. That's because knowing the topic very well can help a lot in improving speaking skills and confidence while speaking. When a speaker is speaking about ability, or making requests, modal verbs are the most helpful thing. The Modal Verbs even help in making offers and asking for permissions. As these things are very important in making the speaker look confident and making his attitude towards listeners clear and visible, every student must learn and study this.

The modal verbs are different from the normal verbs, that is because modal verbs are not used separately. They also do not reflect a certain action or state. They are just used to reflect the modality of it. These facts make modal verbs extremely essential for students to learn if they want to learn speaking skills and improve their English speaking.

Importance of Language

Language is a great tool mankind has invented. And the skeleton based on which any language dwells is its grammar. Learning grammar and getting well versed in it is extremely important for anyone who is aiming to achieve success in careers where speaking skills are important. Grammar manifests itself in our everyday lives. We need grammar everywhere we go and every time we speak anything. Being able to communicate with the use of the right grammar can help the speaker come out as professional. Speaking English with correct grammar makes the listeners feel a sense of trust towards the speaker.

This can help the speaker come out as a trustworthy and attractive character. Good speaking skills are extremely important to build charm and appear as a charismatic person. A person with great speaking skills is praised by everyone and gets into big leadership positions with minimum effort.

Students who want to improve their English speaking skills should check out the study material that we offer for English grammar. Being one of the most important subjects, English grammar also helps score good marks in the examination.

Most of the students get poor marks in English just because of their weak grammar. If a student works on the grammar part of the English subject, every other part becomes relatively easy to understand and learn.

Types and Examples of Auxiliaries and Modal Verbs

An Auxiliary Verb is called a 'Helping Verb'. It helps the main verb in different aspects of tenses, voices, and moods by being placed before them. Auxiliary verbs are also called special verbs or anomalous verbs. There are twelve words: be, do, have, can, may, shall, will, must, ought, used (to), need, dare.

Example:

• She is wearing a blue dress. They were singing the national anthem.

• They have painted their house. Dilip has been going to school.

• Link Verbs Help Active Sentences Turn Into Passive Voice.

Example:

• They paint the house every year. (Active)

• The house is painted every year. (Passive)

• The flood washed away the animals. (Active)

• Animals were washed away in the flood. (Passive)

Auxiliary Verbs Examples

1. "Be" as an Auxiliary Verb:

• She is reading a book. (Present Continuous)

• They were playing football. (Past Continuous)

• The project will be completed soon. (Future Passive)

2. "Have" as an Auxiliary Verb:

• I have finished my homework. (Present Perfect)

• She had left before I arrived. (Past Perfect)

• They will have graduated by next year. (Future Perfect)

3. "Do" as an Auxiliary Verb:

• Do you know the answer? (Question)

• He does not like spicy food. (Negative Sentence)

• Did she call you yesterday? (Past Simple Question)

4. Modal Verbs as Auxiliary Verbs:

• She can speak three languages. (Ability)

• You should see a doctor. (Advice)

• They might come to the party. (Possibility)

• We must finish this by tomorrow. (Obligation)

Types of Auxiliary Verbs

The Auxiliaries are two kinds:

1. Primary Auxiliaries

2. Modal Auxiliaries

1. Primary Auxiliaries

Primary Auxiliaries are used as main verbs to denote time (present, past and future).

Example:

• I am watching cricket on TV.

• His grandfather was watering the plants on the balcony.

They are also used as main verbs or linking verbs in sentences. They change their forms according to the number of persons in the subject of a sentence.

Example:

• Aanya is a good dancer. It was a nice day.

• Kuldeep does his homework regularly. She did the work yesterday.

• The people are religious. The monks were vegetarians.

• I have two sisters. I had a headache yesterday.

In the above sentences, verbs like is, does, and are, have been used as linking verbs. They perform the role of main verbs, although they are auxiliaries in origin.

The primary auxiliaries are: be, do and have.

The word 'be' can be written as: am, is, are, was, were. After 'be' auxiliaries two forms of a verb are possible. They are Present Participle - being and Past Participle - been Is/ are/ am/ was/ were + Present Participle (V + ing)

Example:

• I am learning French these days.

• She is jumping on the floor.

• In the above examples, ing is added to verbs like learn+ing, and jump+ing.

• Is/ are/ am/ was/ were + Past Participle

Example:

• The novel 'Merchant of Venice' is written by William Shakespeare.

• The letters were written by him.

• The child was looked after by her.

• They are treated well by us.

In the above examples, the past participle form of a verb is used after 'be' words in the passive voice.

The word 'do' can be written as: do, does, did.

• 'Do' is used in an emphatic case in a positive sentence.

• It also forms the interrogative of the Simple Present (one-word verb) and of the Simple Past (one-word verb).

• 'Do' is used to make a request.

• 'Do, does and did' are used in simple present or simple past tenses in negative sentences.

Example:

• I do visit the library every Sunday. ('do' is used in emphatic case)

• I don't like sweets. (used in negative sentences)

• Do you have a pen? (used as an interrogative word)

• Please come for the Diwali Part. (used as a request)

The word 'have' can be written as have, has, and had. In the perfect form, all the tenses and times (Present, Past, Future) are built with the help of have, has, and had as per the following structure.

Have/ has/ had/ + Past Participle of the Main Verb Is Used in a Sentence.

Example:

• I have talked to the Principal twice about the issue.

• He has permitted us to organise a conference.

• She had given these sweets to me before.

Note: is, are, am, was, were, has, have, had, etc. can be used with 'to infinitive'.The Structure is as follows: is/ are/ am/ was/ were/ has/ have/ had + to + Main verb

Example:

• Mother is to see the doctor tomorrow.

• I have to meet him today.

• He has to complete his task before Sunday.

• We are to move to our new house next month.

• Were is used for supposition or unfulfilled desire.

The Structure is as Follows: were + subject + complement/ predicate

Example:

• Were I a bird!

• Were I the President!

• Were she beautiful!

2. Modal Auxiliaries

Modal Auxiliaries play a very meaningful role in a grammatically correct sentence. Modal Auxiliaries denote certain feelings, moods and possibilities. Modal Auxiliaries denote certain feelings, moods and possibilities.

Unlike be, have and do, the modal auxiliaries cannot function as main verbs except in a few cases.

The modal auxiliary words are: may, can might, could, will, would, shall, should, must, used to, need, dare, ought to, used to, etc.

Example:

• You can use my phone. (the italicised and underlined modal verb denotes possibility)

• It may rain today. (the italicised and underlined modal verb denotes possibility)

• You shall complete the task tomorrow. (the modal word denotes command or order)

• My grandfather used to have a scooter. (the modal word denotes past habit)

• I would visit him twice a week when he was in the hospital. (the modal word denotes the frequency of past events)

• I must go home now. (the italicised modal verb denotes necessity)

• We must obey the law of the land. (the italicised modal verb denotes command or order)

Auxiliary Verbs List

1. Can

• Ability: She can swim very fast.

• Permission: Can I leave early today?

• Possibility: It can be very cold in winter.

2. Could

• Past Ability: He could run a mile in five minutes when he was younger.

• Polite Request: Could you help me with this?

• Possibility: It could rain later.

3. Will

• Future Intention: I will go to the store tomorrow.

• Promise: I will help you with your homework.

• Prediction: It will be sunny this weekend.

4. Would

• Polite Request: Would you like some tea?

• Hypothetical Situation: I would travel more if I had the time.

• Past Habit: When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every summer.

5. Shall

• Future Intention (formal): I shall return before noon.

• Offer/Suggestion: Shall we dance?

6. Should

• Advice: You should see a doctor.

• Obligation: Students should submit their assignments on time.

• Expectation: The train should arrive by 6 p.m.

7. Might

• Possibility: We might go to the beach if the weather improves.

• Suggestion: You might want to try restarting your computer.

8. May

• Permission: May I use your phone?

• Possibility: It may snow tonight.

9. Must

• Obligation: You must wear a seatbelt while driving.

• Deduction: He must be the new manager.

10. Ought to

• Advice/Recommendation: You ought to apologise for your mistake.

• Obligation: We ought to respect our elders.

Usage Examples

• Can: She can speak three languages.

• Could: I could hear the music from across the street.

• Will: They will finish the project by next week.

• Would: If I were you, I would take the job offer.

• Shall: Shall we begin the meeting?

• Should: You should check your work for errors.

• Might: We might go out for dinner later.

• May: You may start the test now.

• Must: You must wear a helmet while biking.

• Ought to: She ought to follow the instructions carefully.

Rules to use Modal Verbs

Rule 1: All modal auxiliaries are followed by the base form of the verb.

Modal + Verb

Example:

• I will build the house next year.

• You can come to our house in the evening.

Rule 2: Two modal verbs cannot go together. One complete sentence can have only one modal verb.

Altering the Voice of Verb Using Auxiliary Verbs

Present Simple

• Active: The chef prepares the meal.

• Passive: The meal is prepared by the chef.

Past Simple

• Active: The team completed the project.

• Passive: The project was completed by the team.

Present Continuous

• Active: She is writing a letter.

• Passive: The letter is being written by her.

Past Continuous

• Active: They were painting the house.

• Passive: The house was being painted by them.

Present Perfect

• Active: The company has launched a new product.

• Passive: A new product has been launched by the company.

Past Perfect

• Active: The technician had repaired the computer.

• Passive: The computer had been repaired by the technician.

Future Simple

• Active: The manager will announce the results.

• Passive: The results will be announced by the manager.

Future Continuous

• Active: They will be hosting the event.

• Passive: The event will be being hosted by them.

Future Perfect

• Active: She will have completed the report.

• Passive: The report will have been completed by her.

Test your Knowledge on the Topic with Auxiliary Verbs Exercises

1. Complete the Sentences with the Correct Modal Verb:

• She ___ (can / could) speak three languages when she was younger.

• You ___ (must / might) finish your homework before you go out.

• ___ (Will / Would) you like to join us for dinner?

• If it rains, we ___ (can / could) cancel the picnic.

• You ___ (should / may) see a doctor if you’re feeling unwell.

2. Choose the Appropriate Modal Verb to Express Ability, Permission, or Obligation:

• He ___ (can / should) swim very well.

• ___ (May / Must) I borrow your pen?

• They ___ (could / must) submit their reports by Friday.

• She ___ (might / will) come to the party if she finishes her work.

• You ___ (could / would) help me with this task, please?

3. Rewrite the Sentences Using a Modal Verb:

• I am sure that she will come to the meeting. (Use "must")

• It is possible that they will be late. (Use "might")

• I am offering to help you with the project. (Use "would")

• It is necessary to finish the assignment before the deadline. (Use "must")

• I am asking for permission to use your computer. (Use "may")

4. Identify the Modal Verb and Its Function in the Sentence:

• They should attend the seminar to improve their skills. (Advice)

• She can play the piano very well. (Ability)

• You might need to revise your essay before submitting it. (Possibility)

• Will you be joining us for lunch? (Future Intention)

• We ought to leave now to avoid the traffic. (Recommendation)

5. Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Modal Verb:

• She ___ (may / must) not be at home; the lights are off.

• We ___ (could / should) finish this project by the end of the week.

• I ___ (would / might) go to the gym if I have time later.

• ___ (Shall / Can) we start the meeting now?

• He ___ (can / must) be the new manager; he looks very professional.

Find Out if you Got them Right from the Answers Below

1. Complete the Sentences with the Correct Modal Verb:

• She could speak three languages when she was younger.

• You must finish your homework before you go out.

• Would you like to join us for dinner?

• If it rains, we might cancel the picnic.

• You should see a doctor if you’re feeling unwell.

2. Choose the Appropriate Modal Verb to Express Ability, Permission, or Obligation:

• He can swim very well.

• May I borrow your pen?

• They must submit their reports by Friday.

• She might come to the party if she finishes her work.

• You could help me with this task, please?

3. Rewrite the Sentences Using a Modal Verb:

• I am sure that she will come to the meeting. (must)

• It is possible that they will be late. (might)

• I am offering to help you with the project. (would)

• It is necessary to finish the assignment before the deadline. (must)

• I am asking for permission to use your computer. (may)

4. Identify the Modal Verb and Its Function in the Sentence:

• They should attend the seminar to improve their skills. (Advice)

• She can play the piano very well. (Ability)

• You might need to revise your essay before submitting it. (Possibility)

• Will you be joining us for lunch? (Future Intention)

• We ought to leave now to avoid the traffic. (Recommendation)

5. Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Modal Verb:

• She may not be at home; the lights are off.

• We should finish this project by the end of the week.

• I might go to the gym if I have time later.

• Shall we start the meeting now?

• He must be the new manager; he looks very professional.

Takeaways from this Page

• Auxiliary verbs like "to be" are important for altering the voice of a verb from active to passive. For example, "The chef cooks the meal" (active) becomes "The meal is cooked by the chef" (passive).

• Modal auxiliary verbs are used alongside main verbs to express various nuances, such as ability, permission, necessity, and possibility. They help convey different meanings and attitudes in a sentence.

• Modal verbs do not change form with different subjects and are followed by the base form of the main verb. They can be combined with other auxiliary verbs to form different tenses and voices.