{"id":57,"date":"2014-07-18T19:26:34","date_gmt":"2014-07-18T19:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/successfulwriting\/?post_type=chapter&p=57"},"modified":"2014-07-19T04:46:02","modified_gmt":"2014-07-19T04:46:02","slug":"5-6-modal-auxiliaries","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-fmcc-writingforsuccess\/chapter\/5-6-modal-auxiliaries\/","title":{"raw":"5.6 Modal Auxiliaries","rendered":"5.6 Modal Auxiliaries"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

5.6<\/span> Modal Auxiliaries<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n\t
  1. Define and identify modal auxiliaries.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Learn how and when to use modal auxiliaries.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nWe all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday life. We do this by using modal auxiliaries<\/span><\/span>.\r\n
    \r\n

    Modal Auxiliaries<\/h2>\r\nModal auxiliaries are a type of helping verb that are used only with a main verb to help express its mood. The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Subject<\/strong><\/td>\r\n+<\/strong><\/td>\r\nmodal auxiliary<\/strong><\/td>\r\n+<\/strong><\/td>\r\nmain verb<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    James<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nmay<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\ncall<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThere are ten main modal auxiliaries in English.\r\n
    Table 5.11<\/span> Modal Auxiliaries\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Modal Auxiliary<\/th>\r\nUse<\/th>\r\nModal Auxiliary + Main Verb<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    can<\/td>\r\nExpresses an ability or possibility<\/td>\r\nI can lift<\/strong> this forty-pound box. (ability)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We can embrace<\/strong> green sources of energy. (possibility)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    could<\/td>\r\nExpresses an ability in the past; a present possibility; a past or future permission<\/td>\r\nI could beat<\/strong> you at chess when we were kids. (past ability)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We could bake<\/strong> a pie! (present possibility)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Could<\/strong> we pick<\/strong> some flowers from the garden? (future permission)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    may<\/td>\r\nExpresses uncertain future action; permission; ask a yes-no question<\/td>\r\nI may attend<\/strong> the concert. (uncertain future action)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You may begin<\/strong> the exam. (permission)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    May<\/strong> I attend<\/strong> the concert? (yes-no questions)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    might<\/td>\r\nExpresses uncertain future action<\/td>\r\nI might attend<\/strong> the concert (uncertain future action\u2014same as may<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    shall<\/td>\r\nExpresses intended future action<\/td>\r\nI shall<\/strong> go to the opera. (intended future action)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    should<\/td>\r\nExpresses obligation; ask if an obligation exists<\/td>\r\nI should mail<\/strong> my RSVP. (obligation, same as ought to<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Should<\/strong> I call<\/strong> my mother? (asking if an obligation exists)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    will<\/td>\r\nExpresses intended future action; ask a favor; ask for information<\/td>\r\nI will get<\/strong> an A in this class. (intended future action)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Will<\/strong> you buy<\/strong> me some chocolate? (favor)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Will<\/strong> you be finished<\/strong> soon? (information)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    would<\/td>\r\nStates a preference; request a choice politely; explain an action; introduce habitual past actions<\/td>\r\nI would like<\/strong> the steak, please. (preference)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Would<\/strong> you like<\/strong> to have breakfast in bed? (request a choice politely)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I would go<\/strong> with you if I didn\u2019t have to babysit tonight. (explain an action)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    He would write<\/strong> to me every week when we were dating. (habitual past action)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    must<\/td>\r\nExpresses obligation<\/td>\r\nWe must be<\/strong> on time for class.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    ought to<\/td>\r\nExpresses obligation<\/td>\r\nI ought to mail<\/strong> my RSVP. (obligation, same as may)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Tip<\/h3>\r\nUse the following format to form a yes-no question with a modal auxiliary:\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Modal auxiliary<\/strong><\/td>\r\n+<\/strong><\/td>\r\nsubject<\/strong><\/td>\r\n+<\/strong><\/td>\r\nmain verb<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Should<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nI<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\ndrive?<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nBe aware of these four common errors when using modal auxiliaries:\r\n
      \r\n\t
    1. Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal Incorrect:<\/strong> I can to move this heavy table. Correct:<\/strong> I can move<\/strong> this heavy table.<\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal Incorrect:<\/strong> I could moving to the United States. Correct:<\/strong> I could move<\/strong> to the United States.<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. Using two modals in a row Incorrect:<\/strong> I should must renew<\/em> my passport. Correct:<\/strong> I must renew<\/strong> my passport. Correct<\/strong>: I should renew<\/strong> my passport.<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Leaving out a modal Incorrect:<\/strong> I renew my passport. Correct:<\/strong> I must renew<\/strong> my passport.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
      \r\n

      Exercise 1<\/h3>\r\nEdit the following paragraph by correcting the common modal auxiliary errors. I may to go to France on vacation next summer. I shall might visit the Palace of Versailles. I would to drive around the countryside. I could imagining myself living there; however, I will not move to France because my family should miss me very much. <\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      Modals and Present Perfect Verbs<\/h2>\r\nIn the previous section, we defined present perfect verb tense as describing a continuing situation or something that has just happened.\r\n
      \"\"<\/a><\/div>\r\nRemember, when a sentence contains a modal auxiliary before the verb, the helping verb is always have<\/em>.\r\n
      \"\"<\/a><\/div>\r\nBe aware of the following common errors when using modal auxiliaries in the present perfect tense:\r\n
        \r\n\t
      1. Using had<\/em> instead of have<\/em> Incorrect:<\/strong> Jamie would had attended the party, but he was sick. Correct:<\/strong> Jamie would have attended<\/strong> the party, but he was sick.<\/li>\r\n\t
      2. Leaving out have<\/em> Incorrect:<\/strong> Jamie would attended the party, but he was sick. Correct:<\/strong> Jamie would have attended<\/strong> the party, but he was sick.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
        \r\n

        Exercise 2<\/h3>\r\nOn a separate sheet of paper, complete the following sentences by changing the given verb form to a modal auxiliary in present perfect tense.\r\n
          \r\n\t
        1. The man ________ (laugh).<\/li>\r\n\t
        2. The frogs ________ (croak).<\/li>\r\n\t
        3. My writing teacher ________ (smile).<\/li>\r\n\t
        4. The audience ________ (cheer) all night.<\/li>\r\n\t
        5. My best friend ________ (giggled).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
          \r\n

          Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n