Modal Verbs (情態動詞)
Main Uses of Modals
They are mainly used when you want to indicate your attitude towards what you are saying, or when you
are concerned about the effect of what you are saying on the person you are speaking to.
List of the Modal Verbs:
can could ( 主要指能力 )
may might ( 主要指允許 )
will would ( 主要指預告 )
shall ( 主要指預告 )
should ( 主要指非應盡的義務或責任 )
ought to ( 主要指非應盡的義務或責任 )
must ( 主要指不可推缷的責任 )
( some people also refer "dare", "need" and "used to" as modals)
Modal verbs 的次要功能是表達說話人對某事的肯定程度. 例如,
Negative Form of Modal Verbs
1. Use May or Might to talk about something which is possible, but we are not sure of:
e.g In the present: 'Where is Sue?' 'She might be at the office.'
'I'm sure his name is John.' 'You may be right.'
in the future: 'What are you doing tonight?' 'I might go to the pub.' (酒吧)
'Is it going to rain tomorrow?' 'It may. I haven't seen the weather forecast.'
2. There is no important difference between may and might, but might is a little less sure than may
3. Can and Could
a) use Can to say something is possible:
Swimming after eating can be dangerous.
b) To say that someone knows how or has the ability to do something:
My brother can speak English.
He can drive almost any car.
c) to Offer to do something for someone
Can I help you, sir?
d) to make a request
Can you help me with the washing-up please?
e) use Could to talk about someone's ability in the past
When we were children, he could run faster than us.
f) to say you are not comepletely sure if something is possible:
There could be a storm tonight.
g) use Could to make a request politely
Could you pass me the sugar please?
h) use could to express would be able to do something in the future
He said he could see me next week.
4. Use Will or Would to make offers or requests ( would is more polite than will )
a) I'll take you out for dinner if you want.
b) Would you like to come to Hong Kong to visit us?
c) Would you mind opening the window?
d) Helen, would you get me a cup of tea, please?
5. use Must to say that it is necessary for someone to do something or fulfill an obligation:
( mustn't is the negative form; must = have to = have got to )
a) in the present: b) in the future:
I must go now. I must talk to him tomorrow.
6. Use Must to give an invitation:
a) If you come to Hong Kong, you must visit us.
7. Use should and ought to talk about the right thing to do in a certain situation or to give an advice
( had better is also used to express an advice )
a) You should go and see that movie. It's great.
b) You ought to leave now, it's getting late.
c) You should spend your money carefully ( to give an advice)