Modal Verbs in English

An American English teacher lists modal verbs and briefly explains their use. More videos related to modal verbs will follow. This is merely intended as an introduction.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• English
• as
• second
• language

[ddsharper]

I don't know how you could possibly use can and may, expressed in the question, 'may i help you', interchangeably. can is incorrect in that it means the person is asking another if they themselves have the ability. I have always learned it that way growing up in American schools so have things changed due to usage, wrong usage, like ending a sentence with a preposition? thank you.

[learnamericanenglish]

Yeah, I know the difference between "may" and "can," and the rule regarding prepositions is another quaint old custom slowly dying. Languages change. English is a good example of that--especially American English: Who are you talking to? To whom are you talking?

Which question is correct? Which one would you actually use? I teach my students actual American usage. "To whom are you talking?" Too funny.

[learnamericanenglish]

Yeah, you can do that with "need" but not "help." However, many Americans don't use "need" because it sounds a little affected. Here's an example:

"You needn't bring anything to the party." Is similar to "You don't have to bring anything to the party."

The emphasis on my website and in the videos is American English. British English is a little different in the area of modal verbs.

[jonlewisprovence]

Very pleased to hear a fellow teacher say, 'I use might instead of may!' - that's exactly what I say to my learners, that 'may' is ok, but 'might' is more common. I think that textbooks are wrong to try to differenciate between the two using percentages of possiblity (as if such a thing existed) may=50% possible might=60%+ possible!

I'm using some of your vids on my site, I hope that's OK, it should send a few visitors your way.

[learnamericanenglish]

Yes, that's okay. That's what I hope will happen. If you have any ideas for videos, just send them my way. I've made a long list from both teachers and students. Making the videos is fun.

[hard1steel]

Is "ought" modal verd?

[Mr1Luciano]

You're a great teacher ◄▬

Speak more about modal verbs ◄▬

Thank you ◄▬

[kalsoom31]

@hard1steel yes

[you3007]

perfect explanation thanks !

[oorishawo]

Hi my best English teacher, Past participle follows have words, does it apply to the negative as well i.e have not? I will appreciate your reference if you've posted a lesson on that already.

Ola

[Elfavzla]

u look like my ex boyfriend, do you have any brother missing or something.. ? lol : )

[RijssenAnthony]

We must be look this in the netherlands for school, its hellp thand, but you're a lunatic lol

[07prudence]

@hard1steel ought to..

[Debedeb]

Thank you for sharing your great abilities to teach English. I am a older student trying to go back to school. ;) I enjoy watching, and learning from your videos. English is my weakness.

thanks,

[jabbawockeez6221]

Hi,

Your teaching is really good.

And on your next video can you teach people about how to make sentences.

thanks !

[ruthampton]

@hard1steel I'd say yes, though it's not really used in American English.