Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners - Robin Torres-Gouzerh 2016

Special auxiliaries
6 Modal auxiliaries

In modern English, shall has generally been replaced by will. In the past, shall was used as the first-person form of will to express the future tense. Nowadays, shall is usually used in a context where the speaker wishes to sound very polite or very formal.

When shall and will are used in questions, however, their meanings differ greatly. Will indicates the future tense, while shall (when used before I or we) means that the speaker is making a suggestion or asking someone else whether he or she agrees with the suggestion being made.

Will we drive to the nearest gas station?

Will we get a cup of tea?

Shall we drive to the nearest gas station?

Let’s go, shall we?

Let’s (let us) and why don’t are modal auxiliaries that are used to make suggestions or friendly or polite commands.

Let’s go to a movie.

Why don’t you pick me up at eight or so?

Exercise 6.8 In each sentence, underline the modal auxiliary that more appropriately introduces the question.

Example Can | May I take you to the movies?

1. Can | May you explain this magic trick to me?

2. Can | May I offer you coffee?

3. Will | Shall we have to pay a cover charge to get into this club?

4. Will | Shall we go the beach if it’s still sunny?

5. Can | May you give me directions to Paul’s house?

6. Will | Shall they let us use the swimming pool?

7. Let’s dance, can | shall we?

Exercise 6.9 For each pair of sentences, select the one that is stronger in meaning.

1. a. We had better bring some water.

b. We should bring some water.

2. a. We ought to bring some water.

b. We have got to bring some water.

3. a. You have got to drink water.

b. You should drink water.

4. a. You are to drink water.

b. You ought to drink water.

5. a. You must drink water.

b. You had better drink water.

6. a. You were supposed to bring some water.

b. You had to bring some water.

7. a. You are supposed to bring some water.

b. You are to bring some water.