Modals In Under 15 Minutes | BYJU'S

Summary

This video script offers an insightful session on modal verbs, explaining their role as helping verbs that modify main verbs to express ability, possibility, necessity, and more. It covers common modals like 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', 'must', and 'will', illustrating their use in sentences through examples. The script clarifies the nuances between modals like 'should' and 'must', emphasizing their varying intensities in suggestions and necessities. It also highlights the rules of modal verb usage, such as never using them alone and not combining them with other modals, ensuring viewers grasp the correct application in language.

Takeaways

• 📚 Models are verbs that provide additional information about the main verb in a sentence.
• 🔑 They express concepts like ability, possibility, necessity, permission, etc.
• 👥 Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, and ought to.
• 🕒 'Will' is used to talk about future actions or intentions.
• 🏃‍♂️ In physical activities, modals can suggest actions, like 'should' for suggestions or 'must' for strong necessity.
• 💡 Modals can also indicate mental activities, such as 'might forget' or 'could guess'.
• 🌤️ 'Might' can indicate a possibility, which is interchangeable with 'may' in some contexts.
• 💖 For mental activities like 'love' or 'worry', modals like 'should' can give advice or suggest actions.
• 📚 Modals are not always clear-cut; there's a gray area in their usage, especially between suggestion and necessity.
• 📝 Offers, suggestions, and requests can be made using modals like 'could', 'shall', or 'may'.
• ⚠️ Rules for modal verbs: they are never alone, not followed by another modal, and do not change form based on the subject.

Q & A

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are helping verbs that come along with the main verb in a sentence to provide additional information. They help express concepts like ability, possibility, necessity, and permission.

Can you name some common modal verbs?

Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, and ought to.

How are 'can' and 'could' used differently in terms of ability and possibility?

'Can' is used to express present ability and sometimes possibility, while 'could' is used to express past ability and also a possible future action.

What is the difference between 'should' and 'must' when giving suggestions?

'Should' is used for general suggestions, while 'must' indicates a stronger, more urgent suggestion or a necessity.

How does 'will' function as a modal verb?

'Will' is used to talk about the future and to show resolve or determination to complete an action.

What does 'might' indicate in a sentence?

'Might' indicates possibility or uncertainty about whether an action will occur.

Can modal verbs be used with both physical and mental activities?

Yes, modal verbs can be used with both physical activities (like 'jump' or 'run') and mental activities (like 'forget' or 'guess').

How are modal verbs used to express necessity and obligation?

Modal verbs like 'must' and 'ought to' are used to express necessity and obligation, often for rules or requirements.

Can modal verbs be followed by another modal verb?

No, modal verbs cannot be followed by another modal verb. For example, 'they may should go' is incorrect; instead, use either 'may' or 'should' based on the context.

Do modal verbs change form based on the subject of the sentence?

No, modal verbs do not change form based on the subject of the sentence. They remain the same regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.