I wish to know about "Modal verbs"

[Amruta]

Hi,

I know very less about Modal verbs. Exactly which verbs are described as modal verbs? Please give me some information about them.

[Shyone]

You'll find a tutorial on modal verbs here
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[Amruta]

Thank you Shyone! I read some part of the tutorial you have given to me.I will study it. Also with englishpage.com I have got the source for English Grammar in simple language, for which I have been searching. Again thank you very much.

[Milanya]

modal verb -
one of these verb forms: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to, used to, need, had better, and dare. They are all used with other verbs to express ideas such as possibility, permission, or intention. They are called modal because they express the mood of verbs.

The modal verbs differ from main verbs in the following ways:

1. They do not take word endings to form participles or agree with their subject.
Thus, we say She may go to the store, but never She mays go to the store.

2. They come before not in negative clauses, and they do not use do to form the negative: You might not like that. A main verb uses do to form the negative and follows not: You do not like that.

3. They come before the subject in a question: Can I have another apple? Would you like to go to the movies? Main verbs must use do and follow the subject to form questions: Do you want to go to the movies?

4. They take the infinitive without to: I will call you tomorrow. A main verb that takes an infinitive always uses to: I promise to call you tomorrow.
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.