Modul Guru Pembelajar Bahasa Inggris Kelompok Kompetensi Profesional B
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C. MODAL VERBS MEANING
We often use modal verbs or other modal expressions when we want to express an opinion or attitude about a possible fact or to control a possible
action. All modal expressions are about the speaker’s or writer’s view of the world.
Table 2 Meaning Modality in a sentence
He is HHe is her brother, She told me. I know this fact for certain. I am not expressing an opinion about it. I am stating it as a fact.
He must be her brother. They
look so much alike. I am expressing an opinion about a fact because of the
evidence that I have. Jan always goes with us.
I’m not expressing an attitude or opinion about this action.
OK. Jan can go if she’s
finished. I’m controlling a possible action. I’m giving Jan
permission. We can divide most modal words and expressions into two types of meaning:
The speaker or writer decides how certain something is, either in the present, future or past. They predict or speculate about a fact. We see
this type of meaning when we talk about degrees of certainty, possibility, likelihood, doubt:
Paula can’t be home yet. It’s impossible. She left 10 minutes
after us. [The speaker hears the phone ring and predicts who is ringing.]
There’s the phone. That’ll be Mum. I may go. I haven’t decided yet.
The speaker or writer wants to control or ‘direct’ the action. They give and refuse permission. They talk about obligation and necessity. They talk
about how they would like the world to be:
[parent says to child]
You can come if you’re good. He should take more care.
Tell Jen she needn’t bother about the washing up.
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Modul Guru Pembelajar Bahasa Inggris Kelompok Kompetensi Profesional B
You mustn’t worry so much about her. You may go now. formal
Often the same modal verb is used to express different meanings.
Table 3 Modality in the sentence
Meaning Which Verb? Example
really certain
Will My birthday
will be on a Monday this year.
won’t I
won’t have a party.
shall I
shall have plenty to tell you when I see you.
shan’t I
shan’t ask you to come again.
must The cakes
must be ready soon. They’ve been in the oven for an
hour. can’t
You can’t be hungry. You had a huge lunch.
very likely should
The traffic isn’t heavy. We should be there in an hour.
ought to The traffic isn’t heavy. We
ought to be there in an hour.
possible may
She may be a friend of Richard’s.
might She
might be a friend of Richard’s.
could She
could be a friend of Richard’s.
strong obligation
must You
must arrive at 6 to pick up the tickets.
have to I
have to go up to the hospital twice a week.
need to We
need to win this game to get into the final.
weak obligation
should Children
should look after their parents in old age.
ought to Children
ought to look after their parents in old age.
no obligation
needn’t I
needn’t do it now. I’ll do it later.
don’t need to I don’t need to do it now. I’ll do it later.
don’t have to I don’t have to do it now. I’ll do it later.
permission can
Can we go out now? You
can go now if you’ve finished.
may You
may go now if you’ve finished. May I borrow a chair?
could Could we borrow the car?
might
Might we have a little more time to finish the exam?
no permission
can’t You
can’t go in without a ticket.
may not You
may not enter while the exam is in progress. formal
must not You
must not leave your bike in front of the fire exit.
offer will
I ’ll get it. You stay there.
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