MODAL AUXILIARIES Modal auxiliarie s is a verb that combines with another verb to indicate mood or tense . A modal (also known as a modal auxiliary ) expresses necessity, uncertainty, ability, or permission. Its function is to express the willingness or ability , necessity , and the possibility ( probability). The modal auxiliaries in English are : can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will , and would . THE FUNCTION AND EXAMPLE OF MODAL AUXILIARY VERBS CAN - Can is a very common modal verb in English. It’s used to express ability, permission. Examples : 1. The car can drive cross country (ability) 2. Can i borrow your car for one night (permission) COULD - Could is used when talking about an ability in the past or for a more polite way to ask permission. Examples : 1. When I was younger I could run fast. (ability) 2. ...