Modal Auxiliaries
Modals auxiliary verbs are a very complex area of English grammar, so
in this quick guide we will not be able to go into much detail, but we will at
least get an overall idea of what their function is in a sentence. In an
earlier section of this guide we looked at how the verb phrase can be broken
down into its constituent parts and we noted that one of these parts was called
a modal auxiliary verb. Just to remind you of the previous examples, a
section of the chart has been reproduced below:
|
Subject
|
Modal
auxiliary verb |
Primary
auxiliary verb(s) |
Main verb
|
Object
|
|
Sarah
|
can
|
–
|
sing
|
opera
|
|
You
|
should
|
have been
|
watching
|
the baby
|
Examples of modal auxiliary verbs
Before we look at some of the possible meanings of modal auxiliary
verbs we need to have some idea of what constitutes a modal in English and
where they occur in a sentence. A few more examples should enable us to answer
the second of these points fairly quickly and easily – the modals are in bold:
- He should be
here by now.
- I could swim
quite well when I was younger.
- You mustn’t blame
yourself for this.
- You might have
discussed it with me first.
- You can’t be
serious!
- Could you
open the window please?
- Must you
make so much noise?
- She had to take
her brother along with her.
- We ought
to be going.
It should be clear from these examples that the modal verb occupies the
first position in verb phrase, coming before any other auxiliary verb (like have or be)
and the main lexical verb.
Simple Modal
A simple verb phrase
consists of a main verb. The verb in a simple verb phrase shows the type of
clause (e.g. declarative, imperative):
Your camera takes fantastic pictures. (present simple, declarative clause)
Dress smartly. Arrive on time. (imperative clauses)
Complex Modal
A complex verb phrase may
include one modal verb and one or more auxiliary verbs before the main verb. A
modal verb always comes before any auxiliary verbs:
(mo = modal verb; aux = auxiliary verb; mv = main verb)
House prices could fall during the next six months. (modal verb + main verb)
You may have played this game before. (modal verb + one auxiliary verb)
The work should have been finished by 30 January. (modal verb + two auxiliary verbs)
Ephistemic Modal
According to Palmer
describes epistemic as a type of modality that refers to the logical modalities
and "status propositions in terms of the speaker's commitment to a
thing". Epistemic is often used in conjectures such as deductions or
conclusions made by the speaker. They can express the relationship in a simple
statement. Ephistemic modal indicates possible indications, predictions,
obligations, and certainties, expressed through words can, may, perhaps, be,
should, should, be, should, necessarily, necessarily, and necessarily. When a
modal verb is used to express the speaker's opinion about the statement
Example of sentences
:
·
It might be true.
That may be true
Here, the speaker
expresses their attitude about whether it is true or not, accepting that it is
possible, but not being certain.
·
2. She
will try to lie
He will try to lie
·
3. That
should be surprising
That should be
surprising
Periphrastic Modal
Periphrastic modals
are phrase-like, such as ought to, be to, be supposed to, be to, etc.
Example of sentences
:
·
You ought to study
tonight.
You should study
tonight
·
Excuse me, but I
have to go now.
Sorry, but I have to
go now.
·
Milk is supposed to
be good for our health.
Milk should be good
for our health.
Real and Unreal
Conditional
If and Modals
The modals will,
would, can and could often appear in real (factual and habitual) and unreal
(contrary to fact or hypothetical) conditionals
Examples real :
• Fact
We could go
out tonight if father haven’t return home.
(We can’t go out tonight
because father is home)
• Possibly
true
I will buy
the car if I have the money
• Habitual
John can usually
walks to school if he has enough time.
Examples unreal :
• hypothetical
If I were rich,
I could travel around the world.
(I am not rich)(I’m not going
to travel around the word)
• contrary
to fact
If I hadn’t
been in a hurry, I wouldn’t have spilled the milk.
(I was in a
hurry)
(I spilled the milk)
http://erisulfa.blogspot.co.id/2017/04/modal-auxiliaries.html
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar