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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUXILIARY VERBS AND MODALS?

Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs because they are needed to form many of the tenses. The most used auxiliary verbs are the verbs to be, to do and to have. For example: the auxiliary to do is needed to ask questions in the present and past simple tenses. To be is needed for the present and past continuous, and all the passive forms. The auxiliary to have is used in the present and past perfect tenses. Some tenses, like the present perfect continuous, need more than one auxiliary!

Here are some examples of the common auxiliary verbs in action:

  • Do you like German food?
  • Does your mother speak English?
  • Did you come to school yesterday?
  • Why are you talking? You should be listening to me!
  • I was having a bath when you called!
  • A new road is being built behind the school.
  • Have you done your homework?
  • My father has never visited the USA.
  • How long have you been living in Germany?
  • By this time next year I will have been learning English for 35 years!

Other common auxiliary verbs are: will, should, would, can, must, might, may, could (These verbs are often called modal verbs).

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Here's a list of the modal verbs in English:

can

could

may

might

will

would

must

shall

should

ought to

Modals are different from normal verbs:


1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?')
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to')

Probability:

First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

For example:

  • It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
  • I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
  • This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

Ability

We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.

For example:

  • She can speak six languages.
  • My grandfather could play golf very well
  • I can't drive

Obligation and Advice

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

For example:

  • Children must do their homework.
  • We have to wear a uniform at work.
  • You should stop smoking.

Permission

We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

For example:

  • Could I leave early today, please?
  • You may not use the car tonight.
  • Can we swim in the lake?

Habits

We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past. 

For example:

  • When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.
  • John will always be late!


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