Verbs: Modals and Auxiliaries 1 2

An auxiliary
is a helping verb. It is used with a main verb to torm a
verb phrase. For example,
She was calling her friend.
Here the word calling is the main verb and the word was is an auxiliary verb.
The words be, have, do, can, could, may, might, shall, should,
must, will, would, used, need, dare, ought are calied auxiliaries.

Theverbs be, have and do are often referred to as primary auxiliaries.

Theyhave a grammatical function in a sentence

Therest in the above list are called modal auxiliaries, which arealsa
known as modals. They express attitudes like permission, possibility, etc.

Note the forms of the primary auxiliaries.

Auxiliary verbs Present tense Past tense

be am, is, are was, were

do, does did

have has, have had

The table below illustrates the application of these primary verbs

Primary auxiliary Function Example

used in the formation of She is sewing a dress
ContinuOus tenses I am leaving tomorrow
where the The missing child was
be in sentences
action is more important found.
than the subject

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Matas-St modal +V
 when followed by an
We are to leave next
week.
infinitive, it is used to
indicate a plan or an
arrangement
You are to see thhe
denotes Command
Principal right now.
pertect The carpenter has
Used to form the
worked well.
tenses

Ve had to work that day.

have

ised
He doesn't work at all
negative ai Did you work that day?
Interret : !e

Simpie present and the

do
simpie past
in the imperative form, Do sit down quietly.
it makes the statement
more forceful

Note
When have is used in the sense of take or receive, do is used to form questions or
negatives.
Forexample,
Do youhave cereals for breakfast?

Choose the correct auxiliary from those given in brackets.

1. Harry-
goneto the party (has/have)
2. We going to a party tonight. (was/are)
3. I
A We
finished my homework. (have/am)
to visit that place in the morning.
(was/had)
you want some coffee?
6. not like you. (dofam) (do/have)
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 7
8.
9.
He speaks faster =want
than she
you to pass your exam.
(had/do)
10.
You-
This house -to see the (do/does)
doctor immediately.
-
made of wood. (is/have)(are/was)
Let us look at the functions of modal
auxiliaries.
Can usually expresses
potential
permission. For example,
or
ability. it is also used to indicate
Ram bake a cake. (ability)
can
Can you break this door?
(ability)
Thedoctor said, You can ipiay astoall
again. (permission)
Could is used as the past tense u r in
to indicate ability in the past. indirect speech. It is used
dalso used for requests and to
suggest a weak pOssibility in ihe tulure. For
Rob said that he could solve the problem.example, in
speech) (ability indirect
He could drive a car when he was young.
She could leave on Friday. (weak possibility) (ability in the past)
Could you tell me the way to the station, please?
(request)
May is usually used when we ask for permission. It is also used to
express a wish to indicate a strong possibility. For example,
or
May I borrow your copy of Julius Caesar? (permission)
May you always prosper! (wish)
There may be a road block today. (possibility)
Might is used as the past equivalent of may. It suggests a weak
possibility. For example,
We might leave town next week. Note
Shall/Should is used in the second Shaill is used in the irst person to
and third person to express a promise expressthe iuturetense. For example
or even a threat. shall be happy to see you
You should receive your wages
tomorrow. (promise)
He shall not remain the captain anymore. (threat)
Which pen should I buy? (seeking advice)
 Will isused in the second and third person
to
express simple fuh.
iture
and ask questions E
time. Would is used to make polite requests or
example
You will not speak.
He will come here.
Would you go out with me? (polite question)
request)
Would you open ihe window, please! (polite

Will is used in the first prn

e
express
Note
willingness, determination, ts, habit,
intention or even a threa. The expression Will you
will do the work. (wilingnes suggests an invitation.
For example,
w i l l achievemy goal.(deleiiati0n
Will you have dinner
We will help you. (promise)
with us?
H e will watch TV for hours. (haBbit
Iwill goto meet hertoday. (intention)
We will sue him. (threat)

B Complete the sentences using suitable modal auxiliaries. The ciue

in the brackets will help you.
1. We always respect our elders. (duty)
2. Sir, you spare a minute for me?
(polite request)
3.
speak English fluently. (ability)
4. We
inform the police about the theft.
(obligation/duty)
5. I carry this suitcase for you? (offer)
6. Mala, use your new pen for a little while
permission)
7. Jatin and Sudha.
come for dinner tomorrow
(possibility)
8. The prime
minister
victims at the visit the accident
9. You-
hospital. (promise)
get a
concert. (weak possibility) chance to perform at the annua
10.
=you please run an erránd for me?
78 (reques
 Fill in the blanks
with shall,
1. We should, will or would.
2. be delighted to meet
am
sorry. I . your son.
3. You. behavebetter next time.
=be ashamed of
4 You. yourselí.
=not lie.
5.
Call your
6. You parents today.
7.
-
try to iose
weight.
You
be
Succeed. promoted to the next rank if you
8.
never c: fo{hennai.
9. You iOas you are told.
10. 1 =Certainly help vou.
11. You. apologise tor your behaviour.
12. 1 b e much
kindness you have shown. obliged to you for all the
Now, learn some more modals. Fhn Advie o Sd
Must expresses necessity or obligation. For example,
We must reach on time.
It can express fixed determination. For example,
I must be allowed to express my wish.
Ought expresses moral obligation and desirability. it is always followed
by to + verb. For example,
We ought to put in our best effort.
We ought to win.
lt can be used to indicate present or future time. For example,
l ought to apologise to him.
Used to indicates a discontinued habit. For example,
We used to go swimming in the evenings.
Need denotes necessity or obligation. For example.
We need to visit this place once.
t is commonly used in negatives and interrogatives.
H e need not give up his studies.
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 Need as a finite verb meanswant or requir
He cioes not need your money

Dare means be bold enough to. Itis commonly used

in interrogativer
and negative sentences. For example
How dare you argue with me

Fill in the blanks with ought, need, must or may.

life!
1. you enjoy a prosperous
2. We obey the rules.
3. It rain this evening.
4 to complete this task today
5. We. be carefulwhile driving
6. to reach the airport by 6 a.m.
7. He each his new.office on time.
be on his way to the parliament by now.
8 He
9. 1have no informationaboutthis. Your father
know about it.

Choose the correct alternatives to fill in the blanks.

1. -you like another cup of coffee? (would/shall/
should)
Kartik- toplay football before he took up rugby.
(used/is used/was used)
3. you show me the way to the nearest post oftice?
(may/might/could)
4.
4 He said he . -be thirty next month. (could/should/
would)
5.
5. was afraid that he
turn down my offer.
(may/might/must)
6. If you see him, ask
him to meet me. (would/
shall/should)
7. My teacher said, 'You
whenever you need to use my telephone
8. I ran as fast as
my legs
(might/may/should)
carry me. (can/could/may)
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 9. I
don't think we
would) execute this
plan.
10.
I
(nmay/should/
borrow your pen?
The
(may/can/will)
highlighted auxiliaries have been
conversation. Correct them. wrongly used in this
Rahul: Hi,Pankaj! I just got
in into town and heard
bedwith a broken that you were
Pankaj: Good to hear from leg. it shouldn't be
true!
A week you, Rahul. i arn much
better now.
ago I wouldn't walk without
am walk slowly. crutches. Now, I
Rahul: Thaven't believe it when I was
told that you of all
people was metwith an accident. You are
such a
careful driver. When do
you think you must join work?
Pankaj: The doctor says that
I ought to be well enough to go
back at the end of the week. I used
to be fairly
by then! He says that I will start with a stroll agile
around
the park and
gradually increase the pace. Soon, 1 can
be jogging and
jigging once more! In fact, it shall be
SOoner than you may imagine.

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