1.0 Introduction: What is a Modal?

Modals add something to verbs; however, they themselves do not really carry any meaning.   Instead, they are sort of like adjectives for verbs, yet do not describe in the same way as an adjective does.

Modals have different modes of operation, just like a four-wheel drive vehicle might have different ‘modes’ for driving on the highway, driving in mud, and driving on rocks.  Or perhaps you could compare it to a spaceship that has a regular mode for high-speed travel and then a warp-speed mode for travel at the speed of light.

However, the modes for verbs are not for space travel—of course!  Instead, there are different verb modes that reflect different social functions, which in turn facilitate different social interactions.  There are also interpretive functions, which can reflect the speaker’s attitude or assessment of a situation.  In the latter case, they also serve to accurately reflect reality in terms of how realistic or possible something is, at least according to the speaker or writer.

2.0 Aspects of Modals

As mentioned earlier, modals are complicated.  Their different functions, intensities, nuances, and tenses all interact in complicated ways and influence the meaning or ‘tone’ of a verb.  We will look at these different aspects here before focusing on the most important categories for using them—their social and interpretive functions.

2.1 Modals and Verb Tense

Modals themselves do not have a verb tense like verbs do.  The verb that they are associated with can have a tense, but the modal itself does not carry a tense.  The tenses in a particular sentence are given by the main verb and the context of the sentence (for example, by a time word) and not by the modal itself.

Some modals are considered to be past or future modals.  It is important to point out, however, that it is the modal itself that is considered to be a present, past, or future modal rather than having a present, past, or future form like verbs do.

2.2 Modals and Number (Singular and Plural)

Also, the form of the modal + verb is not influenced by the number of the subject.  For example, you say, “He must go” and NOT “He must goes” OR “He musts go”.  There is no 3^rd person singular modal form.

2.3 Modal Forms: Simple and Phrasal Modals

Modals have two forms: Simple and Phrasal.  These are found in both the social functions of modals and the descriptive function of modals.  Although there may be some Simple and Phrasal modals that have similar meanings.  There are usually only slight differences between them.  Since they are found throughout the social and descriptive functions of modals, the different phrasal modals will be introduced in different places.

2.4 Formality and Intensity

Modals can have different levels of formality or intensity.  This allows people to be polite or less demanding on the one hand or to be more aggressive or forceful on the other hand.  It is important to be able to use these appropriately because they play an important social function and can influence someone’s perception of you as a person.

3.0 Modal Functions

As mentioned earlier, modals really operate within two functions: a social function and an interpretive function.  These are described in greater detail here.

3.1 Social Function of Modals

First, modals have a social function in negotiating or facilitating practical actions or negotiations through the tools of social interaction.  Modals have a social function in adding social nuance to our interactions.  Words that sound too strong for a particular situation can be considered as being rude or offensive.  On the other hand, we may wish to intensify our words to add pressure to what it being suggested or even commanded.  How we use these modals can influence people’s perceptions of us.

The main social functions that modals express include:

• Expressing willingness, promises and intentions
• Giving and receiving permission
• Making a request or an offer
• Prohibiting action
• Giving advice

3.2 Interpretive Function of Modals

A second use is to more accurately describe or communicate the truth or facts about people, our world, or our situations.  However, there is also a human aspect to this.  These descriptions or communications using modals actually include the speaker’s or writer’s interpretation of reality.  Namely, they can express certainty or uncertainty about a situation, a person’s predictions about or perception of a situation, or perhaps someone’s attitude about a situation or towards a person.

4.0 How Do We Write Modals?: Two Forms

Modals have two forms: Simple Modals and Phrasal Modals.

4.1 Simple Modals

First, there are Simple Modals, which consist of a modal + the simple form of a verb.  They do not have verb tenses.  Although there are modals that are present, past, or future modals, they themselves are defined as present, past and future modals.  They are not a past or future form of a present modal.  They stand on their own.

4.2 Phrasal Modals

Secondly, there are various forms of Phrasal Modals.  They are called ‘phrasal modals’ because they have several words that make up a phrase.  Sometimes, this is because they reflect verb tenses.  Although the modal itself does not have a tense, the modal itself can be a past modal, a present modal, or a future modal.

Pattern 1: modal + ‘to’ + base form of the verb.

Pattern 2: verb ‘be’ + modifier + ‘-ing’ form of the verb.

4.3 Other Patterns

There are some modals, such as ‘had better’ that follow other patterns.

There are also other ways to show the same social function as modals.  However, they are not actually modals.  Sometimes they are called ‘semi-modals’, and they can take on verb tense forms.

These two forms of modals can be used in modals with a social function or a descriptive function, though they are more commonly used with modals that have a descriptive function.

4.4 Difference in Meaning between Simple and Phrasal Forms

With simple and phrasal modals, there are sometimes a simple form and a phrasal form that have very similar meanings; however, they often have a very slight difference in meaning or in usage.   Which one you use often depends on the context that it is used in and the intended meaning.  The following are examples of this:

5.0 Verb Tenses and Modals

Although modals do not have a verb tense form, phrasal modals can be used with different verb tenses, including the continuous and perfect verb tenses.  However, the verb tense is not part of the modal, because it is part of the verb and the context that follows the modal.

The verb tense of these phrases depends on the context and the meaning that is intended.  The following are some phrasal modals that use different verb tenses.  A subtle difference in meaning is sometimes reflected in the use of different verb tenses.  A chart of the use of verb tenses with modals will follow in a later section.

6.0 Other Aspects of Modals

Within the Social and Interpretive functions of modals, there are other aspects of modals that can add nuance to the verb.  These aspects include a scale of formality or the intensity of certainty.

6.1 Scales of Formality, Certainty, or Intensity

Within the sphere of either the social or descriptive function of modals, we can use them in a way that expresses a level of certainty or intensity.  These are also somewhat linked to the level of formality.

6.2 Level of Certainty

Modals are used to express a certain level of certainty.  How sure are we about something happening or the truth of the situation?  We can express some uncertainty by using ‘could happen’ or a strong certainty of something happening by using ‘will happen’.

6.3 Level of Formality

Modals can be used to express different levels of formality.  For example, a very formal and indirect way of making a request would be to say, “I’m wondering if you could possibly help me with my assignment?” On the other hand, a less formal and more direct way of saying it could be, “Could you help me with my assignment?”

6.4 Level of Intensity

Modals can express different levels of intensity—expressing how important something is and perhaps putting pressure on another person to do something.  This can range from simply making a suggestion while trying not to make the other person feel obligated to do it or feel any pressure to do it.  For example, when giving advice, we could say, “You could talk to the teacher about it.” A medium level of pressure would be to say, “You should talk to your teacher about it.” The other extreme end of putting pressure on someone could be to say, “You have to talk to the teacher.”

7.0 Writing the Modal Forms

To write the simple modal forms, we use the modal + the base form of a verb.  The base form is the simple verb without any endings or verb tenses.

To write phrasal modals, we use several different forms.  For example, certain continuous tenses and participle forms are used with modals.

It is also possible to use modals with either action verbs or non-action verbs such as the verb ‘BE’ to describe someone or a situation.  In the case of non-action verbs, there are several possibilities for how they can be written.  They all use a Subject + Linking Verb + Modifier sentence.  The modifier can be a noun, adjective/participle or adverb/preposition phrase:

Subject + Modal + BE + an Adjective or Participle

Phrasal modals are sometimes formed by combining a modal auxiliary verb with another word, such as ‘to’ or ‘to be’, which is followed by the base form of the main verb.  These are sometimes confused as being a modal + infinitive verb.  However, the word ‘to’ is part of the modal and not part of an infinitive.  Phrasal modals often convey a similar meaning to simple modals but may have slightly different nuances.

Making questions for phrasal forms is the same as making questions with verbs that have an auxiliary.  The auxiliary verb is moved in front of the subject of the sentence.

8.0 Postlude

By now, you might be feeling overwhelmed by all of the different aspects of modals.  How do they all work together?  How can we sort this all out to begin to actually use them?

To make it possible for our brains to sort this all out and to use modals, we will divide modals into the two groups that we mentioned before—the two functions of modals (Social and Descriptive Functions).  All the other aspects of modals will be dealt with under these two categories.  There will still be a lot of detail, but when it comes to using modals, we use them within the purposes of the two modes—the social mode and the interpretive mode.