English Modal Auxiliary Verbs Quiz

Characteristics of English Modal Auxiliary Verbs

• English modal auxiliary verbs have a unique characteristic: they are defective, meaning they do not have a full set of inflected forms.
• English modal auxiliary verbs are distinguished from other verbs in that they lack certain inflected forms, such as a past participle or infinitive form.

Central English Modal Auxiliary Verbs

• The central English modal auxiliary verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, and would.
• Need is not considered a central English modal auxiliary verb.

Expressions 'Had Better' and 'Ought'

• The expressions 'had better' and 'ought' share a common characteristic: they are semi-modal, meaning they are not fully modal but have some modal-like properties.
• The distinguishing feature of 'had better' and 'ought' is that they are semi-modal and have some modal-like properties.

Inflection of Verbs

• The verb 'might' is inflected from the Old English verb 'mōgan'.
• The verb 'may' is not inflected as 'might' in Modern English.

Descriptive Grammars of English

• Descriptive grammars of English differ slightly on the classification and definition of modal auxiliary verbs.
• The classification and definition of modal auxiliary verbs vary slightly among descriptive grammars of English.