Modals

Modal is an expression that carries different shades of meaning.
It is used to show or convey meaning with

seriousness, certainty, and intensity. There are three types of modals such as modal verb, modal noun, and modal
adverb.
Types of Modals
 Modal Verb - Modal verbs are those helping verbs which express the ‘mode’ or ‘manner’ of
the actions indicated by the main verbs. They give additional information about the function of the
main verb that follows it.
You use modal verbs: in giving advice or suggestions, in making requests, or in giving predictions and
prohibitions.
To show more of the other uses of modal verbs, here is a list with sample sentences:
Modal Verb Function Example
ability I can play the guitar.
permission Can I go home early?
can
possibility Smoking can cause cancer.
request Can I use your phone?
ability in the past Lena could jump high when she was younger.
could polite permission Could you pass me the rice, please?
possibility Jay could be an actor someday.
polite permission May I excuse myself for a while?
may
possibility I may not arrive on time.
permission Might I suggest an idea?
might
possibility The strong rain might flood the streets.
obligation Dr. Cruz shall be responsible for the patients.
shall
permission Shall we begin the operation?
advice You should consult the dentist.
should
obligation Children should always respect their parents.
habits John will snore whenever he falls asleep drunk.
obligation From now on, Peter will be in charge of the ship.
will
permission Will you lend me your pen?
possibility In thirty years or so, we will be able to fly cars.
habits I would spend my afternoons watching movies.
would obligation The guard would not allow entry without an ID.
polite request Would you open the door for me, please?
logical conclusion James must be a teacher; he knows a lot about Math.
must
strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
 Modal Noun - The modal nouns are mostly names of qualities or states. They are
similar to modal verbs in a way that they also express modal meaning. However, they
are different from modal verbs in the way they are used in a sentence. Modal verbs are
used to add information to the main verb while modal nouns name a quality, state, or
condition that state modality.
Read the table below that shows some examples of modal nouns, their meanings, and sample sentences.
Modal Noun Meaning Sample Sentence
a declaration to do or refrain from
promise She gave him a promise before leaving.
doing something
ability the quality or state of being able Billy has an ability to turn back time.
something that might happen or There is a possibility that they will dance.
possibility
possible
an amount of time or a situation in If you give me a chance, I know I can correct
chance
which something can be done my mistake.
Our administrator filed a formal request for a
request something that a person asks for
new service bus.
The parents have an obligation to send their
obligation something one is bound to do
children to school.
Aside from foods and water, face mask is
necessity the quality or state of being in need
considered a necessity today.
a condition that something is needed Taking major exams in school is one of the
requirement
or must be done requirements to pass.
the quality or state of being It is your responsibility to take care of
responsibility
responsible yourself.
the quality or state of being able to do Youth of today has the capacity to change the
capacity
something world.
 Modal Adverb – it describes or gives more meaning or information to verbs and

adjectives.
Read the table below that shows more examples of modal adverbs, their meanings, and sample sentences.
Modal Noun Meaning Sample Sentence
Possibly used to state that something is possible to My mother is possibly coming home today.
happen
I am certainly joyful that my family is
Certainly in a manner that is sure or without a doubt
always with me.
My father is obligately proud to work hard
Obligately in an obligate or necessary manner
for our family.
Lolo said that a person’s success does not
used to state that something is necessary or
necessarily necessarily reflect one’s personality
needed
towards other people.
Ably in a skillful or competent manner Tonton dances ably during the party.
Requisitely used to state something that is essential or I have to requisitely answer my homework.
important
The concert started promisingly but it did
Promisingly in a promising manner
not maintain the interest of its audience.
Decidedly in a manner that is free from doubt My sister is decidedly supportive of my
hobby.
The police responsibly helped the old man
Responsibly in a responsible manner
cross the road.
Used to state something that is granted or
Permissively I played permissively with my friends.
given permission

Modals

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Modal is an expression that carries different shades of meaning.

It is used to show or convey meaning with

 Modal Adverb – it describes or gives more meaning or information to verbs and

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