However, they require an auxiliary verb to create interrogative and negative sentences whereas modal verbs work as auxiliary verbs themselves.
Semi-modal verbs work as modal verbs in the sense that they express a certain modality along with the main verb. To create a negative sentence, you simply add not to the modal verb. You use the modal verb in interrogative sentences by inverting it with the subject. Modal verbs are used as auxiliaries themselves. “I will be there,” for example, could take on different meanings depending on the situation. It should be stressed that differences in meaning quite often depend on the context in which the modal verb is used. I'm trying to help you, but you won't listen! You will win the competition if you continue practicing. Modalities Expressed with “will” Modality Expressed The same modal verb can express more than one idea depending on how it is used. There is no one-to-one correspondence between a modal verb and the modality it expresses. However, auxiliary verbs such as do and does or the verb to be (e.g., to be going to do something) are used simply to conjugate the verb whereas modal verbs also add nuance to the meaning expressed by the verb. They can also be used with not in negative statements. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs in the sense that they allow subject-verb inversion (for example, to ask questions).
What if you want to express that such factual information is possible though you are not completely sure? You can use the modal verb may for that as in “John may speak French.”Įxamples of common modal verbs include must (expressing obligation) can (expressing ability) will, may, or might (expressing different degrees of likelihood) should (expressing advisability) and so on. You can add a modal verb to the verb and add nuance (or modality) to the statement. In a statement such as “John speaks French,” the verb (to speak) is in the present simple tense and expresses some factual information about John.
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