Mastering English Modal Verbs: Usage and Syntax
Ought To: Duty and Expectation
It signifies duty or an expectation for something to happen.
Examples
- I think I ought to tell him. (I think I should tell him.)
- She ought to pass the exam. (It is expected she will pass the exam.)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + ought to + verb
- Negative: subject + ought not to / oughtn’t to + verb
- Question: ought + subject + to + verb?
- Short Answer: Yes, subject + ought / No, subject + oughtn’t
Should: Advice and Opinion
Used to give advice or an opinion.
Examples
- You should have a holiday. (You should take a holiday.)
- You should not work so hard. (You should not work so hard.)
- What do you think I should do? (What do you think I should do?)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + should + verb
- Negative: subject + should not / shouldn’t + verb
- Question: should + subject + verb?
- Short Answer: Yes, subject + should / No, subject + shouldn’t
Would / Would Like: Conditionals & Politeness
Would is used for general conditionals. It’s also used in phrases for predictions, promises, and polite requests.
Examples
- I would like to go to London. (I desire to go to London.)
- Peter was working very hard. He would be tired tomorrow. (Prediction based on past action.)
- Would you like coffee? (Would you like some coffee?)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + would + verb
- Short Affirmative: subject + ‘d + verb
- Negative: subject + would not / wouldn’t + verb
- Question: would + subject + verb?
- Short Answer: Yes, subject + would / No, subject + wouldn’t
Must: Necessity, Likelihood & Prohibition
Used when something is considered necessary or highly likely. The negative form expresses prohibition. For past or future necessity, ‘have to’ is used.
Examples
- I am really tired. I must go home now. (I’m really tired. I must go home now.)
- You must keep your room tidy. (You are obligated to keep your room tidy.)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + must + verb
- Negative: subject + must not / mustn’t + verb
- Question: must + subject + verb?
- Short Answer: Yes, subject + must / No, subject + must not
Might: Expressing Possibility
It is the past form of ‘may’. It is also used to express a possibility, often implying a slightly lower degree of certainty than ‘may’.
Examples
- Be careful. You might burn yourself. (Be careful. You could burn.)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + might + verb
- Negative: subject + might not / mightn’t + verb
Have To: External Obligation
Used to express external obligation or necessity. The auxiliary ‘do’ is used to form questions and negative statements. The past tense is ‘had to’.
Examples
- You have to drive on the right in the USA. (You are required to drive on the right in the U.S.)
- I do not have to wear a uniform at school. (It is not necessary for me to wear a school uniform.)
- Did you have to work yesterday? (Were you obligated to work yesterday?)
Syntax
- Affirmative: subject + have to + verb
- Negative: subject + do not have to / does not have to + verb
- Question: Do / Does + subject + have to + verb?
- Short Answer: Yes, subject + do / does / No, subject + don’t / doesn’t