Business English for Success

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4.6 Modal Auxiliaries

Learning Objectives

1. Define and identify modal auxiliaries.


2. Learn how and when to use modal auxiliaries.

We all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday
life. We do this by using modal auxiliaries.

Modal Auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries are a type of helping verb that are used only with a main verb to help
express its mood.

The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:

Subject + modal

auxiliary

+ main verb

James may call

There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English.