###

Modals and semi-modals are auxiliary verbs that provide additional meaning to the main verb in a sentence. They express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, and other types of modality. Let’s delve into the details.

#### 1. Modals

Modals are auxiliary verbs that add nuances like ability, possibility, obligation, or permission to a main verb. They are followed directly by the base form of the main verb. Here are the main modals with examples and usage:

##### Common Modals

1. **Can**

   – **Usage:** Ability, possibility, permission

   – **Examples:**

     – She **can** speak five languages. (Ability)

     – It **can** be very hot in summer. (Possibility)

     – **Can** I borrow your pen? (Permission)

2. **Could**

   – **Usage:** Past ability, polite requests, possibility

   – **Examples:**

     – When I was young, I **could** swim very well. (Past ability)

     – **Could** you help me with this? (Polite request)

     – It **could** rain later. (Possibility)

3. **May**

   – **Usage:** Permission, possibility

   – **Examples:**

     – **May** I leave the room? (Permission)

     – They **may** come to the party. (Possibility)

4. **Might**

   – **Usage:** Possibility

   – **Examples:**

     – We **might** go to the concert. (Possibility)

5. **Must**

   – **Usage:** Necessity, strong obligation

   – **Examples:**

     – You **must** wear a seatbelt. (Necessity)

     – She **must** finish her work by 5 PM. (Strong Obligation)

6. **Shall**

   – **Usage:** Future tense, suggestions (especially in British English)

   – **Examples:**

     – We **shall** meet tomorrow. (Future)

     – **Shall** we dance? (Suggestion)

7. **Should**

   – **Usage:** Advice, expectation

   – **Examples:**

     – You **should** see a doctor. (Advice)

     – They **should** arrive by now. (Expectation)

8. **Will**

   – **Usage:** Future tense, willingness

   – **Examples:**

     – I **will** call you later. (Future)

     – They **will** help you with the move. (Willingness)

9. **Would**

   – **Usage:** Polite requests, hypothetical situations, past habitual actions

   – **Examples:**

     – **Would** you like some coffee? (Polite request)

     – If I were you, I **would** take the job. (Hypothetical)

     – When we were kids, we **would** go swimming every summer. (Past habitual)

#### 2. Semi-modals

Semi-modals are verbs or phrases that have modal-like meanings but do not behave entirely like modals. They often consist of more than one word and are followed by the base form of the main verb.

##### Common Semi-modals

1. **Ought to**

   – **Usage:** Advice, expectation

   – **Examples:**

     – You **ought to** study harder. (Advice)

     – She **ought to** be here by now. (Expectation)

2. **Had better**

   – **Usage:** Strong advice, warning

   – **Examples:**

     – You **had better** see a doctor. (Strong advice)

     – We **had better** leave now to avoid traffic. (Warning)

3. **Have to**

   – **Usage:** Necessity, obligation

   – **Examples:**

     – I **have to** finish my homework. (Necessity)

     – They **have to** leave early. (Obligation)

4. **Need to**

   – **Usage:** Necessity

   – **Examples:**

     – You **need to** wear a suit for the interview. (Necessity)

5. **Be able to**

   – **Usage:** Ability

   – **Examples:**

     – After the lessons, she **will be able to** speak French fluently. (Ability)

### Summary Table

| Type          | Modal/Semi-modal | Usage                          | Example                                     |

|—————|——————|——————————–|———————————————|

| **Modal**     | Can              | Ability, possibility, permission     | She **can** drive. (Ability)                |

| **Modal**     | Could            | Past ability, polite requests, possibility | **Could** I get some water? (Polite request) |

| **Modal**     | May              | Permission, possibility        | **May** I enter? (Permission)               |

| **Modal**     | Might            | Possibility                    | It **might** snow tonight. (Possibility)    |

| **Modal**     | Must             | Necessity, strong obligation   | You **must** study. (Necessity)             |

| **Modal**     | Shall            | Future, suggestions            | **Shall** we meet? (Suggestion)             |

| **Modal**     | Should           | Advice, expectation            | You **should** listen. (Advice)             |

| **Modal**     | Will             | Future, willingness            | I **will** help you. (Willingness)          |

| **Modal**     | Would            | Polite requests, hypothetical, past habitual | **Would** you like tea? (Polite request)    |

| **Semi-modal**| Ought to         | Advice, expectation            | You **ought to** go. (Advice)               |

| **Semi-modal**| Had better       | Strong advice, warning         | You **had better** hurry. (Strong advice)   |

| **Semi-modal**| Have to          | Necessity, obligation          | I **have to** leave. (Obligation)           |

| **Semi-modal**| Need to          | Necessity                      | You **need to** rest. (Necessity)           |

| **Semi-modal**| Be able to       | Ability                        | She **is able to** swim. (Ability)          |

Each modal and semi-modal brings a specific modal nuance to the main verb, helping to convey more precise meanings in different contexts.