Définition
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, or obligation. Examples include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
Ability
Ability is the quality of having the means or skill to do something. In English, 'can' and 'could' are often used to express ability.
Possibility
Possibility refers to the state or fact of something being likely or possible. 'May', 'might', and 'could' are modals that often indicate possibility.
Permission
Permission is the act of allowing someone to do something. In English, 'can', 'could', and 'may' are frequently used to ask for or give permission.
Obligation and Necessity
Obligation and necessity refer to actions or states that are required or obligatory. 'Must', 'have to', and 'should' are commonly used to express these concepts.
Expressing Ability
'Can' and 'could' are the primary modal verbs used to express ability. 'Can' is used for present and general ability, e.g., 'I can swim.' 'Could' is used for past ability and to express potential capability in hypothetical situations, e.g., 'I could swim when I was younger.'
Expressing Possibility
To express possibility, we often use 'may', 'might', and 'could'. These modals indicate that something is possible but not certain. 'May' suggests a greater likelihood, 'might' a less certain possibility, and 'could' indicates a potential for something to happen. For example, 'It may rain tomorrow' suggests a higher chance of rain than 'It might rain.'
Expressing Permission
'Can', 'could', and 'may' are modals used to ask for and give permission. 'Can' and 'may' are used for present scenarios, with 'may' being more formal. 'Could' is often used as a polite form. For example, 'Can I go to the restroom?' and 'May I leave early today?' both request permission, with 'may' sounding more polite.
Expressing Obligation and Necessity
'Must' and 'have to' are used to express obligation and necessity. 'Must' conveys a strong sense of obligation, while 'have to' can imply external requirements. 'Should' suggests a recommendation or advice rather than a necessity. For example, 'You must wear a seatbelt' stresses a strong obligation, whereas 'You should see a doctor' is advisory.
Differences Between Modals
Different modals often convey different levels of certainty, politeness, or formality. Understanding the nuances between them is crucial for fluency. For instance, 'shall' is rarely used in American English except in formal contexts or legal documents, while in British English, it might be used to offer assurances or make suggestions in a formal manner.
Using Modals in Questions
When forming questions with modal verbs, the modal verb comes first followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb. For example, 'Can you swim?' and 'May we leave now?' are correct structures. Using modals in questions often requires understanding subtle differences in their use, especially in terms of politeness and level of formality.
A retenir :
Modal verbs in English are auxiliary verbs that express a range of meanings from possibility to necessity. They do not change form and are followed by the base form of the verb. Understanding the nuances of each modal, such as the difference between 'must' and 'have to' for expressing necessity, or between 'can' and 'may' for granting permission, is essential for mastering English modality. Modals also serve key roles in forming questions and expressing degrees of certainty and politeness.
