ASSIGNMENT ON WRITING
Abstract
Sidney Greenbaum said that : “All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and
have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their
helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence. Be, do, and
have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary
verbs in a given sentence”. And Rosenbaum claimed that : “functional diversity in
language as seen from a consideration of modal in English”
“Essays on the English Language”(R.Quirk, 1968, page 369-54). Modal
verbs are one part of speech which are not easy for students. They often have to
face a lot of problems when using modal verbs appropriately. With the hope that
broadening learner's knowledges about modal verbs as well as how to use them
better,my research analyzes deeply about the kinds, positions and functions of
modal verbs. By researching and collecting useful informations from books and
internet, I hope this study will help students use modal verbs well.
Key words: modal verbs, verbs, kinds, positions, functions
Outline
I. Introduction
1. Rationale
2. Aim
3. Scope of assignment
II. Procedures
III. Findings
1. Over view of verb
2. Over view of modal verbs
IV. Analysis and interpretation
V. Conclusion
References
I. Introduction
1. Rationale
“Introduction to Morden English”, (Adams, 1973, page 281-93).

1959, page 463-23). Karlsen claimed that : “In addition to features such as
auxiliary verbs”, Modal verb have more defects lack some unique
characteristics as follows :
- No “TO” in prototypes and when verb follows. And modal verbs are
used together with the base form of another verb.
You may leave if you wish
We must finish on this time
He can speak French and Japaness
- Modal verbs do not take “-s”, “-ing” , “-ed” in the third person
She can use my phone
She should be here by 9:00
- You use “not” to make modal verbs negative, even in simple present
and simple past.
She should not be late
They might not come to the party
- Many madal verb can not be used in the past tenses or the future tense
He will can go with us ( not correct)
She musted study very hard ( not correct )
II. Procedures
All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike
other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act
alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can
also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, MUST, SHALL, SHOULD,
OUGHT TO, WILL, WOULD.
/>(Please check insert)
III. Findings
1. Over view of verb


and tense that depends on the content, and the formal object of the spoken
word.
Example :
• When ask for help, we can say :
- Can you … ?
- Will you …. ?
- Could you ….?
- May you … ? ( not use )
- Might you … ? ( not use )
• When you want to help anyone say :
- Can I …. ?
- Shall I ….?
• While permission to use question :
- May I … ?
 Obviously, When you use : Can I …? and Could I …? not due to past or
present that due polite, formality of words alone. Want to know when to
use the phrases of the conversation
V. Conclusion
The using modal verbs is an important roles in English. Being able to use
four skills well. It is necessary for learners to approach the process of
speaking in your communication.
1. Probability
“On voice in the English Verb”(Svartvik, 1966, page 65-92). First, they
can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something
happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of
deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.
Example :
It’s snowing, so it must be very cold outside
I don’t know where Kane is. He could have missed the train
This bill can be right. 200$ for two cups of coffee

Refirences
RANDOLPH QUIRK & SIDNEY GREENBAUM (1973) A
University Grammar of English, USA
ADAMS, V. (1973) Introduction to Modern English, London
ANDERSON (1971) The Grammar of Case, Cambridge
HALLIDAY, M.A.K (1967) Functional Diversity in Language as seen
from a Consideration of Madality and Mood in English, Cambridge
HUDSON, R.A (1970) English complex Sentences, Amsterdam
JACOBS (1970) Readings in English Transformational Grammar,
Waltham
JESPERSEN (1949) A Modern English Grammar on Historical
Principles, London and Copenhagen
KARLSEN (1959) Studies in the connection of clauses in Current
English, Bergen
LEES, R.B (1960) The Grammar of English Nominalization, Indiana
QUIRK, R. (1972) A Grammar of contemporary English, London
ROSENBAUM, P.S (1976) The Grammar of English predicate
Complement Constructions, Cambridge
STARTVIK (1966) On voice in the English Verb, The Hague