English Modal Auxiliary Verbs

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Modal Auxiliary Verb (or ‘Modal Verb’ or ‘Modal Auxiliary’) is a verb that is used with another verb (not a modal verb) to express ability, intention, necessity, obligation, permission, possibility, probability, etc.

English modal auxiliary verbs - may, might, can, could, will, would, shall, should, must, need, used(to), ought(to), dare | different patterns and examples | may and might are used to express- possibility, compulsion, obligation, probability (in the present and future) | can, could are used to express- ability, probability, possibility, suggestion, request, condition | will, would are used to express- action in future, present habit, compulsion, obligation | shall, should are used to express- action in future, suggestion, surprise, importance or purpose | need is used to express necessity | used(to) is used to express- past habit | ought(to) is used to express- probability, recommendation, obligation, advise | dare is used to express– be brave enough to

Sample This:

Modal Auxiliary Verb -- May and Might

Uses of ‘May’ and ‘Might’

(1). Possibility/Probability
It may rain the day after tomorrow. [= Perhaps it will rain the day after tomorrow. OR It is possible that it will rain the day after tomorrow.]
He may have caught the train. [= Perhaps he caught the train. OR It is possible that he caught the train.]

(2). To say what the purpose of something is
Many people flatter that they may win favor. [= Many people flatter in order to win favor.]
They ran so that they might arrive in time. [= They ran in order to arrive in time.]

(3). To admit that something is true before introducing another point, argument, etc.
It may not be wise, but using force may be lawful. [= Although it is not wise, using force may be lawful.]

(4). To express wishes and hopes
May you live a prosperous life!
May you have a good time!
My teacher blessed me that I might succeed in my exams.

(5). To give or refuse Permission [In Informal and Polite Way]
You may not withdraw money from your bank account. [= You are not allowed to withdraw money from your bank account.]

(6). To seek Permission [In Informal and Polite Way]
May I borrow your book for two days? (Yes, you may.)
May I come in? (No, you may not.)

Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Might’

‘Might’ is the past equivalent of ‘may’ in indirect speech. ‘Might’ is very polite and formal. It is not common. It is mostly used in indirect questions.
I wonder if I might work on your computer.

But it is used in the same way as ‘may’ to talk about the present or future.

‘Might’ is used as a less positive version of ‘May’
‘May’ denotes more possibility/probability
‘Might’ denotes less possibility/probability

May I use your mobile phone?
Might I use your mobile phone? (= A diffident way of saying ‘May I use your mobile phone?’)

‘Might’ also denotes ‘would perhaps’
You might attract the President’s attention later. [= Perhaps you would attract.]
He might have to go [= Perhaps he had to go.]

‘Might’ is also used to express a degree of dissatisfaction or reproach; as,
You might pick up an argument with him!
You might have picked up an argument with him!

‘Might’ has limitations while ‘asking permission’
Note: Avoid using ‘might’ to seek or give permission. [Prefer to use ‘may’] | Avoid using ‘might not’ to refuse permission. [Prefer to use ‘may not’]. Using ‘might’ to seek or give permission is very formal and is not used very often.
Might I ask for your address?
Might I offer you something to eat?
[Exception: You can use ‘might’ to give permission or ‘might not’ to refuse permission in “indirect speech”]
He asked me whether he might stay in my house.

Note: ‘Maybe’ is an adverb. [‘Maybe’ means ‘perhaps’] -- Maybe he came to know something secret and was removed from the post.

ALSO NOTE: Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Can’
‘May’ is more formal than ‘Can’
‘May’ is mostly used in ‘formal’ English.
‘Can’ is mostly used in ‘informal’ (or spoken) English
‘Can’ is used to show ability/capability/capacity, while ‘may’ is never used in this sense.

About the Author

Manik Joshi was born on January 26, 1979, at Ranikhet, a picturesque town in the Kumaon region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. He is a permanent resident of the Sheeshmahal area of Kathgodam located in the city of Haldwani in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India. He completed his schooling in four different schools. He is a science graduate in the ZBC – zoology, botany, and chemistry – subjects. He is also an MBA with a specialization in marketing. Additionally, he holds diplomas in “computer applications”, “multimedia and web-designing”, and “computer hardware and networking”. During his schooldays, he wanted to enter the field of medical science; however, after graduation, he shifted his focus to the field of management. After obtaining his MBA, he enrolled in a computer education center; he became so fascinated with working on the computer that he decided to develop his career in this field. Over the following years, he worked at some computer-related full-time jobs. Following that, he became interested in Internet Marketing, particularly in domaining (business of buying and selling domain names), web design (creating websites), and various other online jobs. However, later he shifted his focus solely to self-publishing. Manik is a nature-lover. He has always been fascinated by overcast skies. He is passionate about traveling and enjoys solo travel most of the time rather than traveling in groups. He is actually quite a loner who prefers to do his own thing. He likes to listen to music, particularly when he is working on the computer. Reading and writing are definitely his favorite pastimes, but he has no interest in sports. Manik has always dreamt of a prosperous life and prefers to live a life of luxury. He has a keen interest in politics because he believes it is politics that decides everything else. He feels a sense of gratification sharing his experiences and knowledge with the outside world. However, he is an introvert by nature and thus gives prominence to only a few people in his personal life. He is not a spiritual man, yet he actively seeks knowledge about the metaphysical world; he is particularly interested in learning about life beyond death. In addition to writing academic/informational text and fictional content, he also maintains a personal diary. He has always had a desire to stand out from the crowd. He does not believe in treading the beaten path and avoids copying someone else’s path to success. Two things he always refrains from are smoking and drinking; he is a teetotaler and very health-conscious. He usually wakes up before the sun rises. He starts his morning with meditation and exercise. Fitness is an integral and indispensable part of his life. He gets energized by solving complex problems. He loves himself the way he is and he loves the way he looks. He doesn’t believe in following fashion trends. He dresses according to what suits him and what he is comfortable in. He believes in taking calculated risks. His philosophy is to expect the best but prepare for the worst. According to him, you can’t succeed if you are unwilling to fail. For Manik, life is about learning from mistakes and figuring out how to move forward.

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