Modal Forms

What is a modal? What is modality? How do we form modals? And what do modals mean? These are the questions that many ESL students ask when... Read more »

Be able to

We use this semi-modal to express possibility or the ability to do something, but unlike the pure modals, be able to has a full range ... Read more »

"Might not" or mightn't

We might be so much oftener together - mightn't we? Hard Times by Dickens, Charles  Whether that might be, or mightn't be, is ... Read more »

Could not (also couldn't)

"Could not" is a modal auxiliary verb of Could . There is no –s in the third person singular.  "Could not" suggest... Read more »

Would

1. Uses of the auxiliary Would English verbs conjugated with the auxiliary would are used in a variety of ways. For instance, the auxili... Read more »

will

Will be used in the simple future for all other persons. Using will in the first person would express determination on the part of the s... Read more »

Had Better

We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to”  to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of “have”, we use “had better” to gi... Read more »

Have Got To

Have got to is characteristic of very informal speech. Have to sounds slightly more formal.  EX:Sorry, ... Read more »

Ought To

Indicating duty or obligation; Indicating advisability or prudence; Indicating desirability; Indicating likelihood or probability.That... Read more »

Should

 Used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to expres... Read more »

Shall

As an auxiliary, shall indicates a duty or necessity whose obligation is derived from the person speaking; as, you shall go; he shall go... Read more »

Might

 An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb, by expressing:    (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener ... Read more »

May

may a archaic : have the ability to b : have permission to <you may go now> : be free to <a rug on which child... Read more »

Needn't

Needn't means LACK OF NECESSITY When used in the negative, must and have to have different meanings. do not have to = lack of nec... Read more »