Definitie & Betekenis van "modal auxiliary"

What is a "modal auxiliary"?

A modal auxiliary is a type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, ability, or obligation. Modal auxiliaries modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence by indicating the speaker's attitude toward the action. Common modal auxiliaries in English include "can," "could," "may," "might," "must," "shall," "should," "will," and "would." For example, in the sentence "She can swim," the modal auxiliary "can" expresses the ability to swim. Modal auxiliaries are essential for conveying different shades of meaning and for making statements about likelihood, capability, or permission.