Modal Verbs, Nouns, and Adverbs in English
Introduction
- Focus on learning to speak with urgency, importance, possibility, and emphasis.
- Target essential learning competency: use modal verbs, nouns, and adverbs appropriately.
Definition of Modals
- Modals are expressions that carry different meanings.
- Three types:
- Modal Verbs
- Modal Nouns
- Modal Adverbs
Modal Verbs
- Definition: Auxiliary or helping verbs that modify the meaning of main verbs.
- Functions: Express ability, obligation, possibility, etc.
Common Modal Verbs and Their Meanings:
| Modal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| can | Express ability | I can speak a little Tagalog. |
| may | Express possibility | I may be home late. |
| must | Express obligation | I must go now. |
| should | Give advice | You should stop smoking. |
| would | Request or offer | Would you like a cup of tea? |
Characteristics of Modal Verbs:
- Do not change form or spelling.
- No infinitive or participle forms.
- Examples of usage:
- Past Simple: I had to finish my math test.
- Present Perfect: She has had to return to Korea.
- Future: You will have to work hard to pass.
Functions in Sentences:
- Permission: Can, may, could.
- Offer: Will, shall.
- Request: Would, could.
- Advice: Should, ought to.
- Obligation: Must, have to.
- Possibility: May, might, could.
Modal Nouns
- Definition: Nouns that express modality, naming a quality or state.
- Characteristics: Similar to modal verbs but used differently in sentences.
Examples of Modal Nouns:
| Modal Noun | Meaning | Sample Sentence |
|------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| possibility | Condition of being possible | There is a possibility of rain tomorrow. |
| obligation | Feeling of being obligated | Students have an obligation to study hard. |
| necessity | State of being in need | Mobile phones are a necessity nowadays. |
| ability | State of being able | I have a friend with the ability to read minds. |
Modal Adverbs
- Definition: Adverbs that modify modal verbs, adding meaning related to possibility, certainty, and emphasis.
- Usage: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide more information.
Examples of Modal Adverbs:
| Modal Adverb | Meaning | Sample Sentence |
|---------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| possibly | Something is possible to happen | My mother is possibly coming home today. |
| certainly | Sure or without a doubt | I am certainly joyful that my family is with me. |
| necessarily | Something that is needed or required | Success does not necessarily reflect personality. |
| responsibly | In a responsible manner | The police responsibly helped the old man. |
Summary
- Modal verbs add information to main verbs, while modal nouns name qualities or states of modality.
- Modal adverbs enhance the meaning of modal verbs and other related verbs.
Conclusion
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