Modal Verbs in English Grammar With Examples | What Are Modals | English Grammar Lesson | ChetChat

Summary

This educational video script offers an in-depth marathon class on modal verbs, essential for English learners. It explains nine modal verbs and their usage across six categories: ability, possibility, advice, permission, obligation, and hypothetical situations. The script clarifies rules, differences, and provides examples to enhance understanding, making it a valuable resource for advanced English speakers and exam preparation.

Takeaways

• 📘 Modal verbs are helping verbs that convey additional meanings when used with a main verb.
• 📌 Modal verbs must be used with another verb and cannot stand alone.
• 🔑 They are followed by the base form of the verb, without the infinitive 'to'.
• ⛔ Modal verbs do not change form for tense or pronouns; they remain the same in all conjugations.
• 🚫 In negative form, modal verbs are not combined with auxiliary verbs like 'do'; the structure is subject + modal verb + 'not' + base verb.
• ❓ In interrogative form, the modal verb is placed before the subject, without auxiliary verbs.
• 🔍 Modal verbs express various meanings including ability, possibility, advice, permission, obligation, and speculation.
• 🏊 Ability is expressed with 'can' and 'could', with 'can' for present ability and 'could' for past ability.
• 🤔 Possibility is indicated by modal verbs like 'must', 'shall', 'will', 'should', 'can', 'could', 'may', and 'might', each with subtle differences in likelihood.
• 📢 'Must' and 'should' are used for strong recommendations, while 'could' and 'might' offer more tentative suggestions.
• 🙏 When asking for advice, polite modal verbs like 'would', 'could', and 'should' are used to express a request for guidance.
• 👮‍♂️ 'Must', 'should', and 'have to' express obligation, with 'have to' indicating external obligations and 'must' reflecting internal feelings of necessity.
• 🚫 Prohibitions are expressed with the negative forms of the strongest modal verbs, such as 'must not' and 'should not'.
• 🔄 Conditional statements use 'could', 'would', and 'might' to express hypothetical situations dependent on certain conditions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is an in-depth explanation of modal verbs in English, including their definitions, rules, and different usage categories.

How many modal verbs are there in English according to the script?

According to the script, there are nine modal verbs in English: can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must.

What are the basic rules for using modal verbs mentioned in the script?

The script mentions five basic rules: 1) Modal verbs cannot be used by themselves and must be used with another verb. 2) A modal verb is followed by the base form of the verb. 3) Modal verbs cannot be conjugated. 4) In the negative form, modal verbs are used as they are without additional auxiliary verbs. 5) In the interrogative form, modal verbs are used as they are without additional auxiliary verbs.

What does the script say about the usage of 'can' and 'could' in terms of ability?

'Can' is used to express the ability to do something in the present, while 'could' is used for an ability that existed in the past.

How does the script differentiate between the usage of 'must' and 'shall' in terms of expressing probability?

'Must' expresses a high degree of likelihood or probability, while 'shall' is used to predict future events with a reasonable degree of certainty and is more formal and British old-fashioned.

According to the script, which modal verb is used to express a strong recommendation?

The script states that 'must' and 'should' are used to express strong recommendations.

What is the difference between 'have to' and 'must' when expressing obligation according to the script?

'Have to' represents an external obligation, prescribed by someone else, while 'must' represents an internal obligation, a personal feeling of necessity.

How can modal verbs be used to express permission according to the script?

Modal verbs such as 'can', 'could', and 'may' are commonly used to give permission, with 'may' being more formal and authoritative.

What is the purpose of the shout-out mentioned in the script?

The shout-out is to acknowledge and celebrate a student named Arya Mala for scoring 98.8 in 12th grade, serving as a motivational example for others.

How does the script explain the use of modal verbs in hypothetical or conditional situations?

The script explains that modal verbs like 'could', 'would', and 'might' are used in hypothetical or conditional situations where something depends on a condition being fulfilled.

What is the script's advice for students learning about modal verbs?

The script advises students to get their pen and paper ready for the marathon class, implying that they should take notes and be prepared to learn extensively about modal verbs.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Modal Verbs Marathon Class

The script begins with an anecdote about a late arrival to an English class, leading into the main topic: a comprehensive class on modal verbs. The instructor, Chetna, promises to cover everything from the definition of modal verbs to the usage rules of the nine modal verbs (can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must), their six categories of meanings, and the differences between them. The class is aimed at both competitive exam takers and those looking to advance their English language skills. The content is also available as a podcast on Spotify under the name 'Scale Up with Chat'.

05:03

📘 Modal Verbs: Rules and Basic Functions

This paragraph delves into the rules governing the use of modal verbs. It explains that modal verbs are helping verbs that convey additional meanings when used with a main verb, such as possibility, obligation, permission, advice, and speculation. The rules include: modal verbs cannot be used alone, must be followed by the base form of the verb, cannot be conjugated, and remain the same in negative and interrogative forms. The paragraph also clarifies that modal verbs do not change according to tense or pronouns.

10:04

🏅 Modal Verbs for Expressing Ability and Possibility

The third paragraph focuses on the use of modal verbs to express ability and possibility. It distinguishes between 'can' and 'could' for present and past abilities, respectively, and provides examples for each. The paragraph also introduces a grading scale for modal verbs expressing possibility, ranging from high probability ('must') to lower chances ('might'). It emphasizes the subtle differences in meaning and the interchangeable use of these modal verbs in various contexts.

15:05

🚫 Negative Forms and Deduction with Modal Verbs

This section discusses the negative forms of modal verbs, highlighting 'cannot' and 'could not' as indicators of near impossibility. It explains the difference between these and other modal verbs in negative form, which generally express a lower degree of probability. The paragraph also covers the use of modal verbs for deduction and speculation, with examples showing how 'must', 'should', 'might', and 'could' can be used to make educated guesses based on evidence.

20:06

🛡️ Advice, Permission, and Obligation with Modal Verbs

The script continues with the use of modal verbs in giving advice, permission, and expressing obligations. 'Must' and 'should' are presented as strong recommendations, while 'could' and 'might' offer more tentative suggestions. The paragraph also covers asking for and offering advice, as well as offering help, using polite modal verbs like 'would', 'could', and 'may'. It explains the difference between 'have to' as an external obligation and 'must' as an internal one, and how to express prohibitions using the negative forms of these modal verbs.

🔄 Conditional Statements and Tentative Meanings

The final paragraph wraps up the marathon class by discussing the use of modal verbs in conditional statements and tentative expressions. It explains how 'could', 'would', and 'might' can be used to express hypothetical situations and possibilities, contrasting them with real situations. The paragraph concludes with a note on future plans for a separate class on past modal verbs and encourages students to continue learning.

Keywords

💡Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express the speaker's view, attitude, or speculation about an action or state. In the video, they are the central theme, with nine modal verbs discussed: can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must. They are used to convey meanings such as ability, possibility, advice, permission, obligation, and hypothetical situations, which are essential for understanding the nuances of the English language.

💡Ability

The concept of 'ability' in the video refers to the capacity to perform an action, which is expressed using modal verbs like 'can' and 'could'. 'Can' is used for present ability, as in 'I can swim', indicating current capability, while 'could' refers to past ability, as in 'They could play the piano', indicating a capability they had in the past but may not have now.

💡Possibility

'Possibility' is discussed in the context of expressing the likelihood of an event occurring. Modal verbs such as 'must', 'shall', 'will', 'should', 'can', 'could', 'may', and 'might' are used to indicate varying degrees of probability. For example, 'must' is used for a high degree of likelihood, as in 'They must be getting ready', suggesting that it is almost certain they are preparing for something.

💡Advice

The term 'advice' in the video pertains to suggestions or recommendations given to someone. Modal verbs like 'must', 'should', 'could', and 'might' are used to offer advice. 'Must' and 'should' are used for strong recommendations, as in 'You should eat more vegetables', indicating a healthy dietary choice, while 'could' and 'might' offer more tentative or optional advice.

💡Permission

'Permission' is the concept of allowing someone to do something, which is granted using modal verbs like 'can', 'could', and 'may'. For instance, 'You can go to the party if you finish your homework' implies that completing homework is a condition for attending the party, thus granting permission upon meeting the condition.

💡Obligation

The term 'obligation' refers to a duty or requirement to perform an action, often expressed with modal verbs such as 'must', 'should', and 'have to'. 'Must' indicates an internal sense of duty, as in 'I must see a dentist', reflecting a personal need, while 'have to' suggests an external obligation, such as a dress code requirement in 'We have to wear fancy dress at the party'.

💡Hypothetical

A 'hypothetical' situation is one that is imagined or supposed to be true, often dependent on a condition. The video discusses modal verbs like 'could', 'would', and 'might' used in hypothetical statements, such as 'If I had a magic wand, I would grant everyone's wishes', illustrating a condition that leads to a possible outcome.

💡Conjugation

In the context of the video, 'conjugation' refers to the process of changing the form of a verb for different tenses, moods, voices, or aspects. Modal verbs, however, do not conjugate; they are always used in their base form, as stated in the rule 'we cannot do must, mustard', emphasizing that their form remains constant regardless of tense or subject.

💡Negative Form

The 'negative form' of a modal verb is used to express the impossibility or prohibition of an action. In the video, it is explained that modal verbs in the negative form are used as they are, without additional auxiliary verbs, as in 'You must not eat donuts', which is a strong prohibition, or 'I cannot speak Italian', indicating inability.

💡Interrogative Form

The 'interrogative form' is used when forming questions. The video explains that in questions, the modal verb is placed before the subject, as in 'Can you play?' or 'Should I tell him?', which changes the sentence structure to create a question about the ability or obligation of the subject.

💡Contraction

A 'contraction' in English grammar is a combination of two words into one, often through the omission of one or more letters. The video mentions that modal verbs can be contracted in the negative form, such as 'shouldn't', 'couldn't', and 'wouldn't', which are more colloquial and commonly used in spoken English.

Highlights

Introduction to a marathon class on modal verbs with a story about a student's confusion with modal verb usage.

Explanation of what modal verbs are and their role as helping verbs to convey additional meanings.

Listing of the nine modal verbs: can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must.

Modal verbs convey meanings such as possibility, obligation, permission, advice, and speculation.

Rule 1: Modal verbs cannot be used alone and must be paired with another verb.

Rule 2: Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb, also known as the infinitive without 'to'.

Rule 3: Modal verbs do not change form and cannot be conjugated according to tense or pronouns.

Rule 4: In the negative form, modal verbs are used as they are without additional auxiliary verbs.

Rule 5: In the interrogative form, modal verbs are used as they are without auxiliary verbs like 'do'.

Six categories of modal verb usage: ability, possibility, advice, permission, obligation, and hypothetical or conditional statements.

Ability: 'can' and 'could' convey the ability to do something in the present and past, respectively.

Possibility: Modal verbs like 'must', 'shall', 'will', 'should', 'can', 'could', 'may', and 'might' express different degrees of likelihood.

Advice: 'must', 'should', 'could', 'might', and 'may' are used for giving advice and suggestions.

Permission: 'can', 'could', and 'may' are used to give permission, while 'will' and 'shall' can be used to make requests.

Obligation: 'must', 'should', and 'have to' express obligation, with 'have to' indicating an external obligation and 'must' an internal one.

Conditional statements: 'could', 'would', and 'might' are used for hypothetical situations that depend on certain conditions.

Shout out to Arya Mala for academic achievement and an invitation for listeners to send their shout outs.

The class will cover past modal verbs in a future session, inviting listeners to provide feedback for more topics.

Transcripts

hello students today is a marathon on

modal verbs and I'm going to start with

a story one day I was late for school my

English class was going on and I knocked

at the door and said ma'am can I come in

and my teacher replied yes you can but

you may not I stood there

confused well today we have a marathon

class on modal verbs that one single

class that will give you everything from

what are modal verbs the rules around

the usage of the nine modal verbs the

six categories of meanings with

differences between each of them and

lots of examples so whether it's a

competitive exam or you just want to

become an advanced English speaker this

is your ultimate resource this is a huge

lesson so get your pen and paper ready

and let's get going hey this is chetna

and you're on chat chat and this content

is also available as a podcast on scale

up with chat that available exclusively

on Spotify so there are nine modal verbs

can could shall should will would May

might and must what are they they're a

type of helping verb which when used

together with the main verb convey

additional meanings what kind of

meanings modal verbs can help us convey

the possibility of a particular action

taking place or its ability we can use

them to talk about an obligation to do

something to take permission to give

permission for making a request for

giving advice or opinion for making an

offer for promising something or

speculating about a certain action let's

look at the rules of modal verbs rule

number one modal verbs can never be used

by themselves they always need to be

used along with another verb example I

can occur is wrong what does that even

mean you need to say I can drive a car

or I can park a car rule number two a

moral verb is followed by the base form

of the verb this is also called an

infinitive verb without the word to

example I can run the infinitive form is

to run but we use it without the two I

can run she should study not she should

to study rule number three moral verbs

cannot be conjugated use them as they

are example for regular verbs we might

say played please but we cannot do must

mustard musts

similarly he can cycle not he can cycle

so use the moral verbs as they are do

not change their form according to tense

or pronouns they remain as they are rule

number four in the negative form also

moral verbs are used as they are without

the use of any additional auxiliary

verbs like do the structure is subject

plus modal verb plus not plus verb plus

object optional you must not eat donuts

I cannot speak Italian not I don't can

speak Italian

each of them by the way can be

contracted in the negative form

shouldn't couldn't and wouldn't

mitant is technically a word but is not

used frequently so might not and may not

are usually spoken and written as two

words without Contracting for Will and

shell the spellings change in the

negative will becomes won't shall chant

rule number five in the interrogative

form as well moral verbs are used as

they are without the use of any

additional auxiliary verbs like do you

structure is modal verb plus subject

plus main verb plus optional object can

you play not do you can play the

structure changes to make a question

where the modal verb is moved before the

subject should I tell him

okay that completes the rules now we are

going to get into the meat of this

session the six different types of

situations in which we typically use

modal verbs and the differences between

each of them ability possibility advice

permission obligation hypothetical or

conditional one ability can and could

convey the ability to do something take

a look at these sentences I can swim now

but I couldn't swim when I was younger

they could play the piano but now they

can't

can is used for ability to do something

in the present I can swim I can

understand Spanish meaning I am able to

understand Spanish yes we can

the famous Barack Obama slogan inspiring

people that we have the ability to make

a difference you can do it is your gym

instructor motivating you cannot or the

contraction can't is used to express the

lack of ability in the present tense

example I can sing he can't cook they

can't understand the teacher one trivia

cannot is the only negative model which

is written as one word cannot all others

are written as two words could not

should not may not and will not Etc

now code is used for an ability that

existed in the past example she could

run very fast when she was younger they

could play the guitar when they were in

a band he could speak fluent French when

he lived in France

could not or the contraction couldn't is

used for the lack of ability in the past

she couldn't find her keys yesterday

they couldn't solve the difficult puzzle

he couldn't swim when he was a child

foreign

move on to the second category it's

shout out time and this week the shout

out goes to Arya Mala for scoring

98.8 in 12th grade keep shining and if

you want to shout out write to me with

the hashtag chat Chatters the second

category is possibility

many of the modal verbs can be used to

talk about the probability or

possibility of an action taking place

these words have subtle differences in

their meanings and many times of course

they can be used interchangeably too but

I have risked making a grading scale of

these words for you which is on the

screen right now

disclaimer there is no accurate

percentage given prescribed for each one

of them look at them more in relation to

each other there is a degree of

possibility

impossibility and you can take a quick

screenshot

must must expresses a high degree of

likelihood or probability the concert

starts in half an hour they must be

getting ready

she's been studying hard she must be

well prepared for the exam we are almost

certain she must certainly be well

prepared since she has been studying so

hard

shell shall is used to predict future

events with a reasonable degree of

certainty the train shall arrive at 9 00

am the sun shall set in an hour shall is

formal and very British old-fashioned

like I shall have tea with the King this

week with cookies and mummy

will will is also used to make

predictions about the future it will

rain later today he will probably arrive

late to the meeting these are likely but

not with an extremely high degree of

certainty

should she should is used to express

probability with some expectation

example

it's already five o'clock he should be

home by now there is some expectation

here if I should visit Dhaka I will

surely visit you there is a small

possibility and if anyone's living in

Dhaka do drop me a line below can can is

used to express the potential of

something happening it can rain later if

you perhaps see a thick cloud cover you

can say it can rain later you're already

seeing the signs of something happening

the team can win the game if they play

well this is similar to Ability they can

win they have the potential to win or

the ability to win could could is used

to express a conditional or hypothetical

possibility I could meet you for lunch

tomorrow if my schedule allows the

package could arrive today or tomorrow

it's uncertain and hypothetical it could

happen if we leave early we could avoid

the traffic may may is commonly used to

express possibility or probability

example it may rain later today they may

arrive early might is used when the

chances of something happening are lower

than with May he might be at home or he

might be at work they might arrive early

but I'm not sure

in their negative forms most modal verbs

Express a similar degree of

impossibility just like they had in the

positive form like saying someone may

come is probable and the opposite may

not come is also equally probable but

there are two exceptions cannot and

could not now Canon could have a linkage

to ability and in their negative form

cannot and could not indicate a near

impossibility since there is no chance

no ability of that action taking place I

cannot fly without wings the cat cannot

speak English we cannot change the past

the action or event is not possible

under any circumstances could not or

couldn't is also used to indicate a past

situation in which the action was not

possible there is a small difference

between could not and can out couldn't

implies that the attempt was made but

still resulted in impossibility she

couldn't lift the heavy box by herself

she tried but she couldn't they couldn't

find the keys to the locked door they

kept looking but they couldn't

foreign

addition to possibility and

impossibility there is another aspect of

deduction or speculation like making a

calculated guess about something

happening based on evidence

five modal verbs I use for deduction and

speculation must and should example the

board exams are starting on Monday Lila

must be studying for the exam the

negotiations should end soon it's been a

few hours already here we're making a

strong deduction based on evidence or

expectation might could they might be

running late he could be Spanish judging

by his accent with might and could we're

expressing a possibility or a lower

probability can't can't is used to

express a strong deduction that

something is not true or highly unlikely

or nearly impossible they can't be lost

they know this area well this can't be

the right answer it doesn't make sense

the concert can't be sold out already I

just checked the website

foreign

let's take a look at modal verbs used

for giving advice suggestions

recommendations asking for advice and

offering help giving advice and

suggestions must and should are the

strongest recommendation words example

you should eat more vegetables for a

healthy diet sounds like a strong

recommendation you must see that movie

it's fantastic strong recommendation

good gives them options you could

consider taking a vacation you've been

pretty stressed off late seems like

you're giving them a suggestion with

options

watch this video by the way I'm putting

a link here to find the difference

between the power of should versus could

in giving suggestions might can be used

for a formal sounding suggestions you

might want to consider taking a

different approach

can is an informal substitute of good

you can pick up Jane from the airport on

your way back

shell is seldom used but in question

form we can use it to give a suggestion

shall we sit in the balcony native

speakers say this as shall we shall we

sit in the balcony may can also be used

in an informal context you may want to

join a yoga class to reduce your stress

and there is one more semi-modal verb

called otu which is formal and

old-fashioned which is also used to give

a strong recommendation you ought to

arrive early for the meeting or two

carries a slight ethical and moral

obligation you ought to follow the rules

thank you

asking for advice when you're asking for

advice pick up all the polite modal

verbs out of the bag would could and

should what should I do if I have a

conflict with a colleague could you give

me some advice on how to improve my

writing skills I would love your opinion

on the matter offering help can could

and may are the most common modal verbs

to offer help example I can help you

with your homework or can I help you

with anything I could give you a ride to

the airport or could I be of any

assistance to you may I assist you with

carrying those Banks additionally will

wood and shell can also be used example

I will bring Biryani to the party

tomorrow would you like me to drop you

shall I make you a cup of tea wood and

shell are formal shall is old-fashioned

too in case you're offering help by

making a promise to do something in the

future you can use will and shell I will

water your plants while you're away I

shall walk your dog in the evenings

foreign

category is giving permission can could

and may are commonly used to give

permission you can go to the party if

you finish your homework this is

informal you may use my computer to

complete your assignment this is formal

and authoritative you could borrow my

car for the weekend if you like we're

giving them an option to borrow the car

asking for permission the same three

modal verbs Cancun may can be used to

ask or obtain permission can I use your

pen please this is informal may I leave

the classroom early today is formal

could I borrow your umbrella for a

moment is polite and formal now remember

in my story when I asked my teacher

ma'am can I come in and she said yes you

can but you may not what she meant was

yes you have the ability to come into my

class you can come in but I am not

giving you the permission Mission you

may not

in addition to Cancun and me will and

wood are also used to make requests will

you close the door when you leave is

informal would you mind passing the salt

to me please is polite

foreign

must should and have to are the most

commonly used moral verbs to express

strong obligation have to is a

semi-modal verb you must submit your

assignment by tomorrow students should

study for their exams employees have to

follow the company's code of conduct

what is the difference between these two

sentences I have a toothache I must see

a dentist we have to wear fancy dress at

the party

have to is an external obligation the

dress code has been prescribed by

someone else we have to follow must is

an internal obligation I feel like I

must see a dentist but the moment my mom

is forcing me to go I would say mom is

forcing me I have to go to the dentist

today let's look at negative obligation

of prohibiting someone and the strongest

prohibition comes from the Opposites of

the words that we used for the strongest

recommendation so must not and should

not you must not enter this area without

proper authorization you should not eat

too much junk food it's not healthy

should always carries an element of

advice the negative forms of can could

and may are also used to prohibit

someone example you can't smoke here in

the present tense you're not able to

you're not allowed to we couldn't park

outside the mall it's past tense we

tried but we were not able to you may

not come in is authoritative like my

English teacher in old-fashioned English

we could also say you shall not enter

this compound which means you are not

allowed to enter

at six is conditional statements if

something is hypothetical it depends on

some condition to be fulfilled use could

would and might if I had a magic wand I

would Grant everyone's wishes

if I won the lottery I would donate it

to charity if it rains we might stay

indoors there's an element of

possibility here with the might notice

the difference between these two

statements in reality I have a busy

schedule so I can't attend the event but

if I had a free day I could go to the

event notice how the moral verbs of can

and could help us contrast real and

hypothetical situations

now modal verbs could wood and might are

also used to express uncertain or

tentative statements he could be at home

let me check the event might be

postponed due to bad weather if she won

the competition she would be thrilled

that takes care of our moral verbs

Marathon class and I will do a separate

class on past models in the future so if

you want more on that do ping me in the

comment section below meantime happy

learning