They can also be used with not in negative statements. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs in the sense that they allow subject-verb inversion (for example, to ask questions). What if you want to express that such factual information is possible though you are not completely sure? You can use the modal verb may for that as in “John may speak French.”Įxamples of common modal verbs include must (expressing obligation) can (expressing ability) will, may, or might (expressing different degrees of likelihood) should (expressing advisability) and so on. You can add a modal verb to the verb and add nuance (or modality) to the statement. In spite of the fact that it rained, we played tennis.In a statement such as “John speaks French,” the verb (to speak) is in the present simple tense and expresses some factual information about John. In spite of it raining, we played tennis. In spite of is used exactly as despite is used. We can use despite with a noun following, a gerund verb or the expression "despite the fact that".ĭespite the fact that it rained, we played tennis. Nevertheless is used exactly as however is used. However is used at the start of a second sentence.
Though is used exactly as although is used.Įven though is used exactly as although is used. This can come at the beginning or in the middle of one sentence. But each one has its own particular set of rules. There are many ways in English of joining two contrasting ideas together. She must have accepted his marriage proposal. We use must when we are convinced, totally sure about something. We are not sure if it is true or not, but it is possible. May, Might and Could can be used to say something is possible. Your teacher phoned me to see where you were! Winston can't be at the theater tonight, I saw him in a café ten minutes ago. We use can't in these situations to say that something is not possible: Here are examples in the present and past using each of these modals: The modal verbs we use in these sentences are can't, may, might, could and must. We can use modal verbs to express doubt and certainty in certain situations in the present and past.
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