MODALS

 

MODALS

Modal Auxiliaries are auxiliary verbs that function to help verbs and are usually used in the form of conversation.

Characteristic Modals:

The shape never changes. We cannot add "s", "ed", or "ing". Always followed by the verb without "to" (bare infinitife).

FUNCTION

Used to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, will, and ability.

+ Structure of the affirmative sentences ( Positive sentence )

Subject + modal auxiliary + verb1

Eg :

•                      • Michelle can speak Italian well

•                      • I must talk to him right now

•                      • I should go now

 

-Structure of the negative sentences

Subject + modal + not + verb1

Eg:

•                      • Michelle can not speak Italian well

 

? Structure of the interrogative sentences ( questions )

Modal Auxiliary + Subject + Verb1

Eg :

•                      • Can Michelle speak Italian well?

•                      • Yes, she can speak Italian well

•                      • No, she can’t

•                      • No, she can’t speak Italian well

 

Instead of Can, we can use be able to.

Contoh: I am able to swim well.

Bobby is able to play chess

•                      A. CAN, to state:

•                      a. kemampuan (ability).

 

Eg:

My youngest sister can sing a classic song beautifully.

Jennifer Capriati can play tennis wonderfully.

My parents can speak Dutch fluently.

He will be able to study medicine next year.

( to be able to = can in future )

•                      b. Minta izin atau permohonan ( permission and request )

 

Eg:

can you fetch me this evening? ( request )

Can I go home now? ( permission )

 

•                      B. COULD is the past form of CAN and shows a more polite attitude than CAN.

•                      a. Kecakapan diwaktu lampau (a past ability)

 

Example:

When Rudi Hartono was still young, he could become the champion of All-England badminton match seven times continuously.

Many years ago i could ride a motorcycle well.

•                      b. Minta izin atau permohonan (permission or request)

 

Example:

Could I pass you? (permission), artinya Dapatkah saya mendahului Anda?

Could you help me? (request), artinya Dapatkah Anda membantu saya?

•                      C. MAY is used to complete:

•                      a. Kemungkinan (probability/possible future action)

 

Contoh:

1. They may be In Singapore. ( it is possible that they will be in Singapore ).

2. I may come late tonight.

b. Menyatakan kemungkinan bercampur dengan ragu-ragu atau untuk memberi izin (to express a possible mixed with doubt).

 

Contoh:

1. I may pass this test.

2. Your mother may allow you to come home a little late.

c. Minta izin (permission) ini menunjukkan llebih sopan daripada Can ataua Could.

 

Contoh:

1. May I swim with my friends?

2. “Daddy, may I study computer engineering in USA?

 

“ yes you may study computer engineering there.”

 

•                      d. Untuk mengungkapkan kemungkinan atau harapanj yang berarti “semoga” ( A wish or hape )

 

Contoh:

1. May God bless you. (semoga Tuhan memberkati Anda)

 

D. MIGHT is the past form of MAY.

a. Declare a smaller possibility than May.

Example:

1. I might come to her birthday party next Sunday.

2. She might get married on May next year.

b. Expressing possibilities in the form of direct sentences and indirect sentences.

Example:

1. I thought that he might love that girl.

2. You said that you might go to Europe soon.

c. Might = ask permission (permission) is more formal and more polite than may, can, could.

Contoh:

1. Might I be excused early? (Bolehkah saya meminta izin pulang lebih awal).

 

E. WILL be used to declare.

a. Willingness will be done in the present or future.

Example:

1. I will be there next week.

2. I will cook some cookies for my family this afternoon.

b. Requests

Example:

1. Will you join us on our trip to Australia?

2. Will you open the door, please?

F. WOULD is the past form of WILL

•                      a. Dalam bentuk lampau (the past tense)

 

Example:

1. He said that he would sleep.

2. They would study inTexas University, Amerika.

b. Permohonan yang lebih sopan (more polite request).

 

Example:

1. Would you be kind enough to do this for me?

2. Would you turn off the television, please?

c. “would Like” yang like to eat.

 

Example:

1. What would you like to eat?

2. I would like to eat friend-rice.

 

Note:

In general, modals in past form have this form:

Modal + have + past participle

Example:

You should see a doctor (present)

You should have seen a doctor (past)