Important Uses Of Modal Auxiliary Verbs (3rd part)

When it comes to spoken English, auxiliary verbs including modal ones, play an important role. Modal verbs like can, could, may, might are usually used in various ways with different meanings. There are a number of modal auxiliary verbs like can, could, may, might, must etc. In the previous two lessons, We discussed the different uses of modal verbs can, could, may, might and must. Today, we are going to discuss in details the uses of several other modal verbs like will, would, shall and should. Hopefully this lesson will be very useful for you like the previous ones.

The uses of Shall  : It is used in the simple future form to express intention to do something on the part of the speaker. Look at the sentences below :
a. I shall be there by tomorrow evening.
b. Will you attend the meeting expected to be held on 20th March.
c. You will be lucky if you pass the exam with so hard questions.
d. Your father will be pleased if you give him this news of getting a new job.

To express valid or legal warning or order, one can use this modal verb. Look at the examples following :
a. You shall not sublet the room.
b. The tenants shall take care of this building.

The uses of should : To express obligation and logical necessity to do something, one can use the modal ‘should’. Here it equals the meaning of ‘ought to’. Look at the sentences below :
a. You should see a doctor on emergency basis as you are looking very week. (here ‘should’ expressing logical necessity)
b. Everybody should obey the constitution of the country. (expressing obligation)
c. You should finish the work by tomorrow if you want to secure the promotion. (expressing necessity)
After certain expressions like ‘it is a pity’, ‘it is surprising’, ‘I am sorry’, we usually use ‘should’. See the examples below :
a. It is a pity that you should go through such embarrassment.
b. I am sorry that such a bad incident have happened to you.
c. It is surprising that you should leave the party so early.

In a conditional sentence, it means would to express possibility or certainly. Look at the examples :
a. I should go to picnic if office gives No Objection Certificate.
b. Karim should inform you if the man comes.
c. I should travel abroad if my father permits me.
The uses of ‘Will’  : The modal auxiliary verb ‘will’ has many different uses which are the following :
To express willingness or intention, we use ‘will’ in a polite request with or without the word please. See the examples below :
a. I will attend the program. Ok (expressing willingness)
b. Will you have another cup of tea?

One can also use ‘will’ to express intention to do something. Look at the sentences below :
a. We will go to the cinema tomorrow evening.
b. Will you accompany me to the cinema?
c. We will do the work together.
To express specific prediction, one can use it.
a. The match will be over by now.
b. The soldiers will be here soon.
To express Timeless Prediction (prediction or a fact that is always true), We also use this modal verb.
a. Oil will float on water.
b. The sun will rise tomorrow again like every other days.
To express habitual prediction (something that usually happens), one can use this modal verb. Look at the examples :
a. I will sleep for 7 hours a day if not being under loads of work. (such is the fact)
b. Newborns will usually sleep about round the clock.
c. He will sleep for 6 hours per night.

Uses of Would (past form of will) : To ask for or show willingness, one can also use ‘would’ in a polite manner. Look at the examples :
a. Would you come to the party Sunday evening? (asking for willingness to join the party)
b. He would love to work in the banking sector.
To show or express insistence, one can use this modal. See the sentences :
a. Karim would do this work. (means Karim will have to do this work)
B. You would eat this food.
To express characteristic or habitual activities in the past, one can use it.
c. Every morning, my father would do exercise.
d. My childhood friend Rahim would come to class late.
To express probability, one can use this modal verb. Look at the examples :
a. That man would be Karnia’s math teacher.
b. It would be raining today. (like it might be raining, expressing probability of rain)

Note : There are several other modal (semi or quasi) verbs which will be discussed about in the next lesson. So keep browsing. Hope all the lessons have surely turned out to be useful for your English learning. If you like this lesson please share it with friends. Good luck!