Page 93 - Just Enough English Grammar Illustrated Book

4.11 Special Helping Verbs: Modals

The pattern of using a helping verb with the base form of a verb
also applies to another kind of helping verb: modals. Modals are
used to predict an action or condition, or to make a statement
that is not a simple fact. Some common modals are can, could,
may, might, must, should, and would.
Anna must
pass the test. . Modals as helping verbs express
S • possibility or necessity
S She may come e
e
• ability or permission
to the race.
Would you
• polite requests
please help me?
Anna must pass the test. She may come to the race.
come
pass
t
Modal Base Form of Verb Modal Base Form of Verb
Would you please help me?
help
Modal Base Form of Verb

As helping verbs, modals connect to the base form of a verb.
Pass, come, and help are the base forms used in the examples.
They are main verbs; the modals help them to express meaning.
You will learn many other modals. Apply the same concept when
using them.

Modals never change in form.
They connect to the base form of a verb.

4.12 Linking Verb To Be as Main Verb

When looking at the definitions of verb tenses, the terms action
and condition appear often. Action verbs like eat, swim, and go
refer to an action that takes place. Linking verbs, on the other
hand, show no action or physical event occurring. They indicate
conditions showing what the subject is, or is like.
The most common linking verb is to be. It shows being and
existing. When learning about tenses, you used the helping verb
to be together with a main verb. To be also performs another
job: It can be used as a main verb, just like other verbs. But
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