Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries
A modal auxiliary (or, a modal/modal verb) is used with another verb to express possibility, permission, ability, intention, opinion, advice, determination, command, etc.
They express the mode or manner of the actions denoted in the main verb.
(বিভিন্নভাবে প্রকাশের জন্য সাহায্যকারী ক্রিয়া হিসাবে modal auxiliaries গুলি ব্যবহৃত হয়। )
The modal auxiliaries commonly used are: can / could; will / would; shall / should; may/might; ought to and must.
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Characteristics of modal auxiliaries:
Modal auxiliaries have certain characteristics-
- Modals have only one form. They have no ignored forms and do not add the 3rd person singular form.
- He can do it. I may go there. She will come here tomorrow.
- The so-called past forms of modals often express the same meaning as in the present or simple form.
- Ramen could walk fast.
- He might do it.
- The modal auxiliaries can also occur in sentences that refer to future time.
- While in Kolkata, he would go to the zoo garden.
- They do not change form according to the person and number of the subject.
- Sita will go today.
- I/The boys/You may go there.
- They cannot be used independently. Like other auxiliaries, they too always go with the main verb to clarify the meanings conveyed by their main verbs.
Functions of Modals and their Uses:
The functions of models and their uses in different contexts are shown below:
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Can
1. To express power, ability, capacity, etc. (সামর্থ্য বুঝাইতে –
- He can run.
- Partha can speak French well.
- Can you sing? I can help you.
- He is ten years old but can’t read yet.
2. To express permission; the negative can’t express prohibition. ( দেওয়া বা নিষেধ বোঝাতে)
- You can go now.
- You can smoke in the lobby but you can’t smoke inside the hall.
- You can’t enter the room now.
3. To denote ability resulting from circumstances. (কোনো অবস্থা বিশেষে সামর্থ্য বোঝাতে
- Can you come to the meeting tomorrow?
- Can you lend me five hundred rupees?
- If you look at the sky at night,
- you can see millions of stars.
4. To express the idea of a possibility in questions and exclamations. (আবেগসূচক বাক্যে সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে)
- Can it be true?
- Surely it can’t be five O’clock now!
- What can we do about it?
5. To denote what may be possible or likely; or what a thing or person is occasionally or generally capable of. (সম্ভাবনা ও সামর্থ্য বোঝাতে)
- It can be dangerous to drive a car at night.
- Working in dim light can be injurious to your eyes.
- It can be very cold there, even in summer.
- One of the prisoners escaped yesterday: he can be anywhere now.
6. To make requests or seek permission.
- Can I use your phone?
- Can I help you?
- Can we go now?
- Yes, you can.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Could
As a past form of can (can-4 past form হিসাবে could ব্যবহৃত হয়)
- I was ill and could not come to school.
- He could swim when he was only five years old.
- Could you do the sum?
- If you tried, you could do much better in the examination.
- She could smell something burning.
- The children asked if they could go for a swim.
To mean “feel inclined to” ( করবার ইচ্ছা হয়েছে এরূপ বোঝাতে)
- I am so glad at the news that I could almost
- As a polite form of request (অনুরোধ করা)
- To indicate what is possible or likely (সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে)
To indicate surprise, bewilderment, impatience, etc. in questions. (বিস্ময়, হতবুদ্ধি, অধৈর্য ইত্যাদি বোঝাতে প্রশ্নবোধক বাক্যে) dance for joy.
- I could snack (a) your face.
- Could (= can) you tell me the time?
- Could I have your pen, please?
The prisoner escaped yesterday, he could be anywhere by now.
- How could you be so unkind?
- Could anyone be such a fool as to believe that?
To express a rather gentle doubt. (ক্ষীণ সন্দেহ প্রকাশ করতে).
- His story could be true, I feel.
- I could do the job today, but I’d rather wait for a few days more
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries May
Denotes permission (asked or given or refused). (অনুমতি চাওয়া, দেওয়া বা প্রত্যাখ্যান করা
- You may go now.
- May I come in? No, you may not.
To express a wish
- May you be happy.
- May God bless you.
To Express a purpose
- He works hard so that he may pass.
To express possibility or probability
- I may attend the meeting tomorrow.
- The letter may reach us any day.
- The news may be true. He may come today.
- He may have missed the train.
She may pass if she works hard. The train may arrive at the right time today. You may meet me tomorrow if you like.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Might
As a past form of May. (May-past form হিসাবে might ব্যবহৃত হয়)
- He said that he might go to Delhi soon.
- He admitted that the news might be true.
- She might have gone yesterday. Might I go now?
To express a mild form of request. (ক্ষীণ অনুরোধ বোঝাতে)
- Might I go now?
- Might I see you for a few minutes, please?
To express possibility. (সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে)
- He might pass the examination this time.
- He might refuse to agree to the proposal.
- I have heard about the book, it might be worth reading.
- This medicine might cure him.
To express a purpose. (উদ্দেশ্য বোঝাতে)
- She was studying French so that she might read French books.
- We built a wall so that cattle might not enter the premises.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Will
To express simple futurity in the second and third persons. (সাধারণ ভবিষ্যতকাল বোঝাতে প্রথম পুরুষ ও মধ্যম পুরুষে ) –
- He will come today.
- You will know about it soon.
To express determination and intention in the first person. (সংকল্প ও অভিপ্রায় বোঝাতে উত্তম পুরুষে) –
- We will not submit it.
- I will do as I like.
- I will lend you my book.
To make a promise. (অঙ্গীকার করতে) –
- I will behave properly next time.
- I will help you.
To express a threat.-
- I will punish you if you make the mistake again.
To make a request in the interrogative form. (প্রশ্নবোধক বাক্যে অনুরোধ প্রকাশ করতে) –
- will you lend me your pen?
- Will you join us at the picnic?
To make a command. (আদেশ বোঝাতে)-
- You will never do this in the future.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Would
Used as a past form of will. (will-এর past formহিসাবে would ব্যবহৃত হয়।-
- He said that he would go there next month
- he said that you would attend the meeting
To denote wish in all persons. (অভিপ্রায় বোঝাতে)-
- Do as you Would be done.
- I would like to see the picture.
- I hope he would take care of the boy
To denote condition or uncertainty. (শর্ত বা অনিশ্চিয়তা বোঝাতে)-
- If you would go there you would see a new sight.
- He wouldn’t do it unless you ask him to do so.
To denote past determination in all persons.
- I repeatedly told him to go, but he would not.
To express determination.(দৃঢ় সংকল্প বোঝাতে)-
- He would have his own way. He would not lie.
To denote past habits or actions repeated occasionally and irregularly. (অতীতের অভ্যাস বা নৈমিত্তিক ঘটনা বোঝাতে)-
- While in Kolkata, he would go to the Maidan every morning.
- He said that he would go there next month.
- He said that you would attend the meeting.
To soften down an expression. (নম্রভাবে জানাতে) –
- I hope you would kindly lend me the book.
To make a polite request. (বিনীত অনুরোধ করতে)-
- Would you mind doing this for me?
- Would you please pass on the message to him?
To express probability.(সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে)
- He would be coming to the party, I suppose.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Shall
To express simple futurity in the first person.
- I shall go.
- We shall do the work.
In the second and third person to express
- A command (আদেশ বোঝাতে)- You or he shall go.
- A promise (অঙ্গীকার বোঝাতে) – He shall get a prize.- You shall have a holiday tomorrow.
- A threat- If he does this, he shall be punished.
- A compulsion (বাধ্য-বাধকতা বোঝাতে)- The students shall come to school in proper uniform.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Should
To express duty or obligation. (কর্তব্য অথবা নৈতিক দায়িত্ব বোঝাতে) –
- You should go there.
- You, he, or I should do it.
Duty in the past is expressed by should have.
- Boys should obey their teachers.
- You should have paid the money long ago.
For giving or asking advice. (পরামর্শ বোঝাতে)-
- You should discuss the matter with your teacher.
- How much should I donate?
To express condition. (শর্ত বোঝাতে)
- Should you (if you should) go there, I would punish you.
- If it should rain, you need not come.
To express possibility.” (সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে) To express desire. (ইচ্ছা প্রকাশ করতে)-
- I should go if I were you.
- I am anxious that he should pass.
To express necessity. (প্রয়োজনীয়তা বোঝাতে)-
- A simple child, what should it know of death?
To express approval or disapproval.
- I do not know that he should treat me thus.
To express modesty in the first person.
- I should like it.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Must
To express compulsion. (বাধ্যবাধকতা বোঝাতে)-You must do it.
To express determination. (দৃঢ় সংকল্প বোঝাতে)-I must see him punished.
To express certainty. (নিশ্চয়তা বোঝাতে)-He must be mad. We must all die.
To denote past certainty is often added to the must.-You must have done it (= it is certain that you did it.)
To express strong likeness. (দৃঢ় সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে) -They must have gone there.
You must be hungry after the hard work to express duty. (কর্তব্য বোঝাতে)
We must obey our parents. A soldier must fight for his country.
Chapter 7 Modal Auxiliaries Ought to
To express duty or obligation. (কর্তব্য বা দায় বোঝাতে)- You ought to help her. You ought to have gone there.
To express a strong possibility. (দৃঢ় সম্ভাবনা বোঝাতে)- You ought to come out successful this time. He ought to be able to reach in time.