Modal Auxiliaries

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

1. Definition

Modal auxiliary verbs are easy to use because they never change form or tense. These verbs are full of possibilities! In fact, possibility is just one thing modal auxiliary verbs can show; they can also indicate necessity, capability, or willingness.

2. Used

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to show a necessity, capability, willingness, or possibility. Unlike most verbs, there is only one form for these verbs. Typically, verb forms change to indicate whether the sentence's subject is singular or plural.

Most verbs also indicate whether something happened in the past, present, or future. This is not the case with most modal auxiliary verbs, which makes them simpler to understand and use correctly.

3. Examples of Modal Auxiliary Verbs

So now that we understand the purpose of modal auxiliary verbs, let's take a look at some of the common ones you may see in writing. The modal auxiliary verbs include:

• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Must
• Ought
• Shall
• Should
• Will
• Would

It's important to note that these verbs can also indicate the negative: could not, may not, should not, etc.

1) I can run a mile in 8 minutes. (expresses a fact or possibility)
2) You must clean your plate before you have dessert. (expresses a command)
3) I might go to the park after school today. (expresses a possibility)
4) It would be nice if a rainbow appeared. (expresses a wish)
5) Do you think it will rain today? (expresses a possibility or a wish)
6) Grandma could arrive any minute! (expresses a possibility)
7) You should try some of this spaghetti. (expresses a statement of opinion)
8) Will you give me some money? (expresses a wish or possibility)

Pengertian, Contoh dan Fungsi Modal Auxiliary Verbs

A. Pengertian.

Modal Auxiliary adalah kata kerja yang bertugas membantu kata kerja utama. Jadi Modal Auxiliary adalah kata kerja pembantu, dan kata kerja utama itu adalah “majikannya”. Contoh: I will explain about modal auxiliary. “Will” adalah kata kerja bantu yang bertugas membantu kata kerja utamanya yaitu “Explain”. Karena hanya pembantu, sehingga ketika dihilangkan tidak akan menjadi masalah dan kalimat tersebut tidak akan kehilangan makna utamanya. Tapi kalau kata kerja utamanya yang dihilangkan, maka kalimat tersebut akan kehilangan makna. Modal auxiliary hanya terdiri dari beberapa kata kerja saja. Jadi kita tidak perlu khawatir dalam memahaminya. Berikut saya jelaskan apa saja yang termasuk modal auxiliary disertai dengan contoh kalimatnya.

B. Contoh dan Fungsi Modal Auxiliary Verbs.

           

WILL

Fungsi:

1      Berbicara tentang pekerjaan di masa depan,

           Contoh: I won’t (will not) be in the office until 11; I’ve got a meeting

2      Membuat semi formal permintaan,

           Contoh: Will you open the window, please? It’s very hot in here.

SHALL

Fungsi:

1.      Untuk menawarkan sesuatu,

      Contoh: Shall I fetch you another glass of wine?

2.      Membuat kalimat saran

      Contoh:  Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

MAY & MIGHT

Fungsi:

1.      Menggambarkan pekerjaan yang mungkin terjadi. Bedanya May lebih memungkinkan terjadi (50% chance); sedangkan might lebih meragukan (mungkin hanya 30% chance).

      Contoh: She may be back in her office: the lecture finished    ten minutes ago.

2.      Menunjukkan persetujuan atau izin. Jadi biasa diterjemahkan dengan arti “boleh”.

      Contoh: You may go home now.

WOULD

Fungsi:

1.      Bentuk past dari will.

Contoh: He said the next meeting would be in a month’s time.

2.      Permintaan tolong yang lebih halus dari “will”.

Contoh: Would you like another cup of tea?

CAN & COULD

Fungsi:

1.      Berbicara tentang kemampuan.

Contoh: Can you speak Mandarin? (present)She could play the piano when she was five. (past)

2.      Membuat permintaan,

Contoh: Can you give me a ring at about 10?Could you speak up a bit please? (slightly more formal, polite or ‘softer’)

3.      Permohonan izin,

Contoh: Can I ask you a question?Could I ask you a personal question? (more formal, polite or indirect)

4.      Pilihan,

Contoh:  If you want some help with your writing, you can come to classes, or you can get some 1:1 help.

  MUST

  Fungsi:

1.      Untuk menunjukkan sebuah kewajiban atau keharusan.

Contoh: People must try to be more tolerant of each other.

2.      Sugesti/saran/ajakan yang kuat.

Contoh: I think you really must make more of an effort.

3.      Menunjukkan arti “Pasti”.

Contoh: This must be the place – there’s a white car parked outside (ini pasti tempat – ada mobil putih yang diparkir di luar). Jadi must di sini artinya bukan “harus”, tapi “pasti”.

SHOULD

Fungsi:

1.    Memberi Saran.

Contoh: I think you should go for the Alfa rather than the Audi.

2.    Kewajiban, tapi lebih lemah dari “must”.

Contoh: The equipment should be inspected regularly. (Peralatan harus diperiksa secara rutin).

3.      Seharusnya, tapi ga terjadi.

Contoh: I should have renewed my TV licence last month, but I forgot.

OUGHT TO

Ought to punya makna yang sama dengan should, biasanya dipakai pada kalimat affirmative pada waktu present (saat ini).

      Contoh: You should/ought to get your hair cut.

C. Catatan untuk Modal Auxiliary.

1.         Tidak bisa diikuti oleh Modal yang lain. Jadi tidak boleh: I should can, kalau terpaksa, maka “can” harus diganti dengan “be able” sehingga menjadi: I should be able.

2.         Tidak bisa berganti bentuk atau ditambahi, misalnya ditambahi “-s” atau “-ed”. Jadi tidak boleh: She cans (tetap she can sekalipun orang ketiga tunggal)

3.           Selain Ought, modal auxiliary tidak boleh diikuti “to”. Jadi tidak boleh: You can to go, tapi harus: you can go.

Referensi :

http://study.com/academy/lesson/modal-auxiliary-verbs-definition-uses-examples.html
http://www.softschools.com/examples/grammar/modal_auxiliary_verbs_examples/64/