Introduction

We have seen how verbs can be marked for tense and aspect. They can also be marked for modality. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that function as an indicator of the speaker’s (or writer’s) judgement about the likelihood or desirability of the situation in question. This unit looks at the way modal verbs work and the range of meanings they convey.

Tasks

1 Modality

Identify the expressions in this text that indicate either likelihood or obligation (or the lack of it). Which ones are modal auxiliaries? What modal auxiliaries are not found in the text?

2 Modal structures

Compared to ‘lexical verbs’ (work, live, want, etc.) modal auxiliaries function in syntactically special ways. There are also some verbs that share some of the characteristics of modal auxiliaries and some of the characteristics of lexical verbs.

Look at the features listed in the left-hand column of the chart below. For each of the verbs in the chart, put a tick (✔) where the features apply and a cross (✘) where they do not apply. If in doubt, look at these examples (from the Cambridge English Corpus):

Modal auxiliaries

• a Conditioners can help smooth split ends, but no product can mend your hair.

• b The state must decide this week whether to appeal.

• c Until we fix these weaknesses, we cannot hope to control illegal immigration.

• d Staff must not go unaccompanied in such situations.

• e Can all students get student accounts and deals?

• f A veterinarian may be able to diagnose the problem.

• g I think you should have to prove who you are to get a license.

• h Q: How much exercise must you do to reap these benefits?

• Lexical verbs

• i If he wants to make a big change, he needs to make a big investment in the work.

• j You don’t want to commit all your energies to one line of research.

• k So, I asked this little girl, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’

• l The band members say they would like to make music a career after high school.