Modality: introduction
Modality is about a speaker’s or a writer’s attitude towards the world. A speaker or writer can express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity and ability by using modal words and expressions.
Speakers often have different opinions about the same thing. These speakers are looking at the same thing.
Modal verbs
Here are the main verbs we use to express modal meanings:
- Core modal verbs: can, could, may, might, will, shall, would, should, must
- Semi-modals: dare, need, ought to, used to
Other verbs with modal meanings: have (got) to, be going to and be able to
See also
- Be able to
- Be going to: form
- Can
- Could
- Dare
- Have got to and have to
- May
- Might
- Must
- Need
- Ought to
- Shall
- Should
- Used to
- Will
- Would
Modal words and expressions
There are a number of other words and expressions in English, apart from the main modal verbs, which also express modal meanings.
Here are some examples:
| modal form | example |
| noun | There is a possibility of snow this evening. |
| adjective | It’s clear that the Prime Minister is worried about education. |
| adverb | I’m certainly not fed up with it. |
See also
- Modality: meanings and uses
- Modality: other modal words and expressions
- Be expressions (be able to, be due to)