Modals

Semua auxiliary verbs "kecuali be, do dan have" disebut modals. Tidak seperti auxiliary verbs lainnya, modals juga berfungsi sebagai kata kerja Bantu dan tidak dapat berdiri sendiri. Perhatikan contoh-contoh Modals di bawah ini beserta fungsi dari Modals melalui contoh kalimat yang diberikan.

Can

• They can control their own budgets. (kemampuan/kemungkinan)
• Can I smoke here? (Minta Izin)
• Can you help me?  (Permintaan)

Could

• Could I borrow your dictionary? (Minta Izin)
• Could you say it again more slowly? (Permintaan)
• We could try to fix it ourselves. (Saran)
• I think we could have another Gulf War. (Kemungkinan)
• He gave up his old job so he could work for us. (Kemampuan)

May

• May I have another cup of coffee? (Minta Izin)
• China may become a major economic power. (Kemungkinan)

Might

• They might give us a 10% discount. (Kemungkinan)

Must

• We must say good-bye now. (Keharusan)
• They mustn't disrupt the work more than necessary. (Larangan)

Ought to

• We ought to employ a professional writer. (Menyarankan)

Shall

(jarang dipakai di Amerika)

• Shall I help you with your luggage? (Menawarkan)
• Shall we say 2.30 then? (Menyarankan)
• Shall I do that or will you? (Meminta)

Should

• We should sort out this problem at once. (Menyarankan)
• I think we should check everything again. (Merekomendasikan)
• Profits should increase next year.  (Prediksi tak tentu)

Will

• I can't see any taxis so I'll walk. (Keputusan Spontan)
• I'll do that for you if you like. (Menawarkan)
• I'll get back to you first thing on Monday. (Janji)
• Profits will increase next year.  (Prediksi tak tentu)

Would

• Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? (Minta Izin)
• Would you pass the salt please? (Permintaan)
• Would you mind waiting a moment? (Permintaan)
• "Would three o'clock suit you?" - "That'd be fine." (Mengatur)
• Would you like to play golf this Friday? (Mengundang)
• "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I'd like tea please." (Merujuk)

Modal auxiliary verbs selalu diikuti oleh bentuk kata kerja pertama.