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Parts of speech: Difference between revisions
→modal verb
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=== modal verb === | === modal verb === | ||
* | * a form of auxiliary verb | ||
* | * indicates possibility, necessity, desirability, possibility, requirement: | ||
** '''can, could, had better, may, might, must, need, ought, shall, should, would''' | |||
* modal verbs add that conditionality to a finite (action) verb | |||
** ''I can do it, we should go there, you must go there'', etc., vs. | |||
** ''I do it,'' ''we go there, you go there'', etc | |||
* the modal verb is necessary for the semantic purpose (its meaning) of the sentence | |||
** whereas an auxiliary ("helping") verb is not | |||
*** auxiliary verbs "mark" tense or passive voice | |||
**** ''The teacher '''had''' taught'' (past perfect tense) | |||
***** ''The subject '''was''' taught by the teacher'' (passive voice) | |||
*** however, the modal verb must be accompanied by a finite (action) verb | |||
**** i.e., modals cannot be the action of the sentence | |||
>> Modal Verbs: Definition & Usage Examples | Grammarly Blog | >> Modal Verbs: Definition & Usage Examples | Grammarly Blog | ||