Modal Auxilliary Verbs, Part 2 - rules of use

The simple rules for using modals: 1) drop the '-s' when using the 3rd person singular verb (he,she,it); 'Yes/no' questions with modals don't begin with "Do"; never use infinitive verbs (*must to walk, *should to write, *may to read) with modals; never use 'ing' verbs with modals (*must walking, *must reading, *must writing), never make infinitive modals, (*to should..., *to must.... *to might...).

Category:

Education

Tags:

• English
• grammar
• American
• english
• modal
• verbs
• auxillary
• auxillaries

[nickcast11]

I think you forgot "shall" for sure. Perhaps "ought to", "need" and "dare" have been excommunicated as well?

[EnglishwithJohn]

@nickcast11 Hi Nick. Thanks for the observations. 'Shall' and 'ought to' are left out intentionally in order to simply and shorten the lesson a little. 'Need' and 'dare' are not modal verbs.

[Igobrunette]

wow...I lived in the U.S for several years, now I'm teaching English and I've been looking for some info about auxiliary verbs and your class is AWESOME...thanks so much!!

[bigbangshangover]

thank you so much ! ^__^