Modalityis about a speaker’s or a writer’s attitude towards the world. A speaker or writer can express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity and ability by using modal words and expressions.
Speakers often have different opinions about the same thing.
These speakers are looking at the same thing.
Modal verbs
Here are the main verbs we use to express modal meanings:
Core modal verbs:can,could,may,might,will,shall,would,should,must
Semi-modals:dare, need,ought to,used to
Other verbs with modal meanings:have (got) to, be going toandbe able to
See also:
Be able to
Be going to: form
Can
Could
Dare
Have got toandhave to
May
Might
Must
Need
Ought to
Shall
Should
Used to
Will
Would
Modal words and expressions
There are a number of otherwords and expressions in English, apart from the main modal verbs, which also express modal meanings.
Here are some examples:
modal form | example |
noun |
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adjective |
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adverb |
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See also:
Modality: meanings and uses
Modality: other modal words and expressions
Beexpressions (be able to,be due to)