Modal auxiliary

/mˈəʊdəl ɔːksˈɪliəɹɪ/

/mˈoʊdəl ɔːksˈɪliəɹi/

Modal auxiliary

a type of auxiliary verb that is used to express modality, indicating the speaker's attitude towards the action or state expressed by the main verb, such as possibility, necessity, ability, or permission

synonyms : modal auxiliary verb

Examples

1. We also have modal auxiliary verbs, commonly called modals or modal verbs.

2. It's a modal auxiliary and we do use it to talk about an intention to do something in the future, say, for example, opening a window.