Modality refers to the grammatical expression of subjective attitudes like possibility, probability, necessity, obligation, permissibility, ability, and desire. Modal verbs always appear first in the verb phrase in English and do not show tense or number. Some common modal verbs in English include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would, which express meanings like ability, permission, possibility, necessity, obligation, intention, suggestion, and more. Examples demonstrate how modal verbs are used to convey different levels of modality.

1. MODALS AND MODALITY
MODALITY IS THE GRAMMATICALIZED
EXPRESSION OF THE SUBJECTIVE
ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS OF THE
SPEAKER INCLUDING
POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY, NECESSITY, O
BLIGATION, PERMISSIBILITY, ABILITY, DE
SIRE.

2. POSITION OF MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs always appear in the
first position at the beginning of
the verb phrase in English.
Unlike other verbs, modal verbs
do not show tense or number.
The eight possible verb phrase
combinations that contain modal
verbs in English are:
“modal verb + base form”

3. SOME DEFINITIONS OF MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are difficult to define in any language because of
the wide range of pragmatic uses of modal verbs by native
speakers. Some of the more common definitions (in no
particular order) of the modal verbs in English are:
 can – ability, permission, possibility, request
 could – ability, permission, possibility, request, suggestion
 may – permission, probability, request
 might – possibility, probability, suggestion
 must – deduction, necessity/шаардлага/, obligation
/хариуцлага/, prohibition /хорио/
 shall – decision, future, offer, question, suggestion
 should – advice, necessity, prediction, recommendation
 will – decision, future, intention
/зорилго/, offer, prediction, promise, suggestion
 would – conditional, habit, invitation, permission, preference
/эрхэмлэх, илүүд үзэх/, request, question, suggestion

4. EXAMPLES OF MODAL VERB USAGE
The following sentences are examples of
usage of modal verbs in English. For
example, the following four sentences all ask
for permission but with different degrees and
types of modality:
1. Can I go to the bathroom? (asking for
permission)
2. May I go to the bathroom? (more politely asking
for permission)
3. Could I go to the bathroom? (asking for
permission with less certainty)
4. Might I go to the bathroom? (asking for
permission with uncertainty)

5. THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES ALSO
DEMONSTRATE THE SUBTLE MEANINGS IN
REGARDS TO MODAL VERBS OF SUGGESTION
1. You could listen to me. (suggestion)
2. You might listen to me. (uncertain
suggestion)
3. You should listen to me. (strong
suggestion)
4. You must listen to me. (stronger
suggestion)
5. You will listen to me. (strongest

6. MODAL VERBS PRACTICE EXERCISE
You could ride your bike across the

country, but I advise against it.  could – possibility
 Since all dogs are mammals, this  must – deduction
golden retriever /анч нохой/ must be a
mammal.  might –
 You might consider finishing your suggestion
degree.
 I will finish my essay tonight even if I  will – intention
have to sleep.  can – ability
 The puppy can sit on command.
 I would eat cereal /будаа/ every day as a  would – habit
child.  may – probability
 You may encounter /тохиолдох/ some
difficulties on occasion /нөхцөл байдал/.  should –
 The train should arrive in a few prediction
minutes.
 The situation would not be so bad if we
 would –
all remained calm. conditional
 I will have earned my graduate degree
next spring.
 will – future

7. Thank you for
the
attention!