Language Use:
ESL Guide for Modal (Auxiliary) Verbs
Why is the modal verb Should used?
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
What are examples of the modal Should in statements?
What are examples of the modal Should in negative statements?
What are examples of the modal Should in questions?
How is the modal Should used to express expectation?
What is a modal verb?
A modal verb is an auxiliary (helping) verb that expresses a particular quality of a verb. Modal verbs are used with the infinitive (base form) of the main verb to modify its meaning.
MODALS INCLUDE WORDS LIKE:
Can, Could, May, Might, Must Shall, Should, Will, Would and Have To.
Why is the modal verb Should used?
Should is used to express advice and recommendations. It is also used to express an expectation of something likely to happen.
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
- Statement: subject + modal + base verb
- Negative Statement: subject + modal + “not” + base form
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
What are examples of the modal Should in statements?
- Statement: subject + should + base verb
- I eat vegetables.
- Fred runs at night.
- Come to my house tomorrow.
- We go there in the summer.
- Sally cooks her sister’s meals.
- I should eat vegetables.
- Fred should run at night.
- You should come to my house tomorrow.
- We should go there in the summer.
- Sally should cook her sister’s meals.
subject + modal + base verb
No “S” for 3rd Person Singular
(See #2 & #5 above)
MODALS WITH IMPERATIVES
Always state subject YOU (See #3 above)
What are examples of the modal Should in negative statements?
- Negative Statement: subject + should + “not” + base form
- I do not eat vegetables.
- Fred does not run at night.
- Do not come to my house tomorrow.
- We do not go there in the summer.
- Sally does not cook her sister’s meals.
Negative Statement – With Modal Should
- I should not eat vegetables.
- Fred should not run at night.
- You should not come to my house tomorrow.
- We should not go there in the summer.
- Sally should not cook her sister’s meals.
NEGATIVE STATEMENTS
WITH MODALS
subject + modal + “not” + base form main verb
CONTRACTION:
should not = shouldn’t
What are examples of the modal Should in questions?
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
Question – Auxiliary Do/Does
- Do I eat vegetables?
- Does Fred run at night?
- Do you come to my house every day?
- Do we go there in the summer?
- Does Sally cook her sister’s meals?
Question – Modal Should
- Should I eat vegetables?
- Should Fred run at night?
- Should you come to my house every day?
- Should we go there in the summer?
- Should Sally cook her sister’s meals?
QUESTIONS WITH MODALS
The subject of the sentence is placed between the modal and base form of the main verb.
modal + subject + base verb
QUESTIONS WITH MODALS
When we ask as a question with the modal SHOULD we are asking for or asking about a recommendation or an expectation.
How is the modal Should used to express expectation?
Certainty Statement – No Modal
- I don’t need stiches.
- She feels better now.
- The fever breaks.
Expectation Statement – With Modal Should
- I shouldn’t need any stiches.
- She should feel better soon.
- The fever should break soon.
CERTAINTY:
Knowledge that something did or will happen. Knowledge that something is true.
EXPECTATION:
A strong belief that something will happen. “Should” is often used to express this belief.
