Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021
Use the base form of the verb after a modal
Verbs
Multilingual Writers and ESL Topics
The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, should, will, and would. (Ought to is also considered a modal verb.) The modals are used with the base form of a verb to show ability, certainty, necessity, permission, obligation, or possibility.
Modals and the verbs that follow them do not change form to indicate tense. For a summary of modals and their meanings, see the chart in this section. (See also 27e.)
For the use of modals in conditional sentences, see 28e.
MODALS AND THEIR MEANINGS
can
✵ general ability (present) ✵ informal requests or permission |
✵ Ants can survive anywhere, even in space. Jorge can run a marathon faster than his brother. ✵ Can you tell me where the light is? Sandy can borrow my calculator. |
could
✵ general ability (past) ✵ polite, informal requests or permission |
✵ Lea could read when she was only three years old. ✵ Could you give me that pen? |
may
✵ formal requests or permission ✵ possibility |
✵ May I see the report? Students may park only in the yellow zone. ✵ I may try to finish my homework tonight, or I may wake up early and finish it tomorrow. |
might
✵ possibility |
✵ Funding for the language lab might double by 2025. |
NOTE: Might usually expresses a stronger possibility than may.
must
✵ necessity (present or future) ✵ strong probability ✵ near certainty (present or past) |
✵ To be effective, welfare-to-work programs must provide access to job training. ✵ Amy must be nervous. [She is probably nervous.] ✵ I must have left my wallet at home. [I almost certainly left my wallet at home.] |
should
✵ suggestions or advice ✵ obligations or duties ✵ expectations |
✵ Diabetics should drink plenty of water every day. ✵ The government should protect citizens’ rights. ✵ The books should arrive soon. [We expect the books to arrive soon.] |
will
✵ certainty ✵ requests ✵ promises and offers |
✵ If you don’t leave now, you will be late for your rehearsal. ✵ Will you help me study for my psychology exam? ✵ Jonah will arrange the carpool. |
would
✵ polite requests ✵ habitual or repeated actions (past) |
✵ Would you help me carry these books? I would like some coffee. [Would like is more polite than want.] ✵ Whenever Elena needed help with sewing, she would call her aunt. |
EXERCISE 28-2
Edit the following sentences to correct errors in the use of verb forms with modals. You may find it helpful to consult the chart in section 28c. If a sentence is correct, write “correct” after it. Answers appear in the back of the book.
a. A major league pitcher can to throw a baseball more than ninety-five miles per hour.
b. The writing center tutor will helps you revise your essay.
c. A reptile must adjusted its body temperature to its environment.
d. In some states, individuals may renew a driver’s license online.
e. My uncle, a cartoonist, could sketched a face in less than two minutes.