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Welcome to our blog on Modal Verbs, an essential topic in English Grammar that plays a crucial role in all competitive exams. Approximately 3 - 4 questions certainly appear based on this topic, in the exam, making it imperative for you to grasp the concepts of Modal Verb thoroughly and practice a variety of questions.

In this blog, we will comprehensively cover all the theoretical concepts and rules of this topic. Additionally, we have included many examples for you to deeply understand each concept and rule. So, let's dive into the world of Modal Verbs and boost your exam preparation.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Modal Verbs piccs" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Modal_Verbs_piccs.webp" style="height:338px; width:600px">

[Source: KD Live]

<h2 id="content-id-1344-0">Modal Verb</h2>

A modal verb is a kind of an auxiliary verb. It assists the main verb to indicate possibility, potentiality, ability, permission, expectation, and obligation. The modal verbs are can, could, must, may, might, ought to, shall, should, will, and would.

Example:

• I may want to talk to you again.

• They must play their best game to win.

An auxiliary verb (abbreviated aux) is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears, so as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc. Auxiliary verbs usually accompany the main verb. The main verb provides the main semantic content of the clause.

Example:

I have finished my lunch.

Here, the main verb is “finished”, and the auxiliary “have” helps to express the perfect aspect. Some sentences contain a chain of two or more auxiliary verbs.

Modals or Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliary are used to show the mood or attitude of the subject. They are the verbs that are used to indicate modality. Such as likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice. Modal verbs always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb having semantic content. Modals are the type of auxiliary expressing the subject’s mood. They give information about the function of the main verb.

The modal verbs commonly used are can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, had better, “have to” and sometimes need or dare.

<h2 id="content-id-1344-1">Common Rules for using Modal Verb</h2>

Rule 1: Forming questions with Modals. We form questions by inverting the modal verb and the subject. We do not use auxiliaries to do so.

Example:

• Should I go to bed now?

• Must we do the work in excel?

Rule 2: Forming negatives by adding ‘NOT’. We form negative sentences by adding ‘NOT’. We do not add auxiliaries.

Example: 

• Must we not do the work in excel?

• Should I not go to bed now?

• You must not be jealous of other’s progress.

• I cannot leave the place before being informed.

Rule 3: Interrogatives with Modals: Modals can be used in tag/ interrogative sentences.

Example: 

• You are not supposed to leave the place, are you?

• You can drive the car, can’t you?

Rule 4: Modals and Tenses Modals do not exist in all tenses. They are only in Simple tenses.

Example: 

• The train might be at the station (Past tense)

• The train might arrive late (Future tense)

Rule 5: Forms of Modals There are perfect forms and continuous forms of Modals. The perfect form: (Modal + have + V3). The continuous form: (Modals + be + ing)

Example:

• You could have done better.

• You will be appearing for the examination soon.

<h2 id="content-id-1344-2">Common Mistake While Using Modal Verb</h2>

We cannot place one modal after the other. The sequence will be grammatically wrong.

Example:

• She must can do it. — INCORRECT

• She must do it. — CORRECT

• She can do it.— CORRECT

<h2 id="content-id-1344-3">Points to Remember While Using Modal Verb</h2>

Modals never change their form. We cannot add ‘s’, ‘ed’, ‘ing’ after them.

Modals are always followed by the bare infinitive without to.

Hope this chapter helped you to understand Modal Verbs and its rules completely.

This article has provided you with valuable insights into the world of Modal Verbs. We sincerely hope that you have found this blog useful and that it has contributed to enhancing your understanding of this crucial topic. As you continue to gear up for your upcoming exam, we encourage you to share your thoughts, or any doubts you may have in the comments section below.

Stay tuned, as <a href="https://study.kdcampus.live/">KD Live</a> promises to bring you more such informative blogs with comprehensive study material and a thorough analysis of previous year questions on all the topics of English Language section. Best of luck with your exam preparations, and may you excel in your endeavors!

Welcome to our blog on Modal Verbs, an essential topic in English Grammar that plays a crucial role in all competitive exams. Approximately 3 - 4 questions certainly appear based on this topic, in the exam, making it imperative for you to grasp the concepts of Modal Verb&nbsp;thoroughly and practice a variety of questions.

In this blog, we will comprehensively cover all the theoretical concepts and rules of this topic. Additionally, we have included many examples for you to deeply understand each concept and rule. So, let&#39;s dive into the world of Nouns and boost your exam preparation.

A modal verb is a kind of an auxiliary verb. It assists the main verb to indicate possibility, potentiality, ability, permission, expectation, and obligation. The modal verbs are can, could, must, may, might, ought to, shall, should, will, would.

Example:

&bull; I may want to talk to you again.

&bull; They must play their best game to win.

An auxiliary verb (abbreviated aux) is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears, so as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc. Auxiliary verbs usually accompany the main verb. The main verb provides the main semantic content of the clause.

Example:

I have finished my lunch.

Here, the main verb is &ldquo;finished&rdquo;, and the auxiliary &ldquo;have&rdquo; helps to express the perfect aspect. Some sentences contain a chain of two or more auxiliary verbs.

Modals or Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliary are used to show the mood or attitude of the subject. They are the verbs that are used to indicate modality. Such as likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice. Modal verbs always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb having semantic content. Modals are the type of auxiliary expressing the subject&rsquo;s mood. They give information about the function of the main verb.

The modal verbs commonly used are can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, had better, &ldquo;have to&rdquo; and sometimes need or dare.

<h2>Common Rules for using Modals</h2>

Rule 1: Forming questions with Modals. We form questions by inverting the modal verb and the subject. We do not use auxiliaries to do so.

Example:

&bull; Should I go to bed now?

&bull; Must we do the work in excel?

Rule 2: Forming negatives by adding &lsquo;NOT&rsquo;. We form negative sentences by adding &lsquo;NOT&rsquo;. We do not add auxiliaries.

Example: 

&bull; Must we not do the work in excel?

&bull; Should I not go to bed now?

&bull; You must not be jealous of other&rsquo;s progress.

&bull; I cannot leave the place before being informed.

Rule 3: Interrogatives with Modals: Modals can be used in tag/ interrogative sentences.

Example: 

&bull; You are not supposed to leave the place, are you?

&bull; You can drive the car, can&rsquo;t you?

Rule 4: Modals and Tenses Modals do not exist in all tenses. They are only in Simple tenses.

Example: 

&bull; The train might be at the station (Past tense)

&bull; The train might arrive late (Future tense)

Rule 5: Forms of Modals There are perfect forms and continuous forms of Modals. The perfect form: (Modal + have + V3). The continuous form: (Modals + be + ing)

Example:

&bull; You could have done better.

&bull; You will be appearing for the examination soon.

<h2>Common Mistake While Using Modals</h2>

We cannot place one modal after the other. The sequence will be grammatically wrong.

Example:

&bull; She must can do it. &mdash; INCORRECT

&bull; She must do it. &mdash; CORRECT

&bull; She can do it.&mdash; CORRECT

<h2>Points to Remember While Using Modals</h2>

Modals never change their form. We cannot add &lsquo;s&rsquo;, &lsquo;ed&rsquo;, &lsquo;ing&rsquo; after them.

Modals are always followed by the bare infinitive without to.

Hope this chapter helped you to understand Modal Verbs and its rules completely.

This article has provided you with valuable insights into the world of Modal Verbs. We sincerely hope that you have found this blog useful and that it has contributed to enhancing your understanding of this crucial topic. As you continue to gear up for your upcoming exam, we encourage you to share your thoughts, or any doubts you may have in the comments section below.

Stay tuned, as KD Live promises to bring you more such informative blogs with comprehensive study material and a thorough analysis of previous year questions on all the topics of English Language section. Best of luck with your exam preparations, and may you excel in your endeavors!

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