Modal Verbs in English Grammar

Modal verbs, commonly known as modals, are a type of auxiliary verb used when the main verb does not take tense changes. They occur before the main verb in an independent clause or after it in a dependent clause, representing various aspects of actions such as ability, obligation, permission, volition, necessity, habit, etc., creating more complex tenses than simple present, past, or future forms of action. There are two types of modal verbs—modalizing adjuncts and non-modalizing adjuncts. Modalizers can modify both noun phrases and clauses while non-modalizers only modifies clauses. Some examples of modal verbs include may, might, must, could, would, shall, will, and ought to. Their meanings vary widely depending on their context; for instance, "I could go out now," means one thing if you're talking about your physical abilities, and something else entirely if you're discussing legal restrictions. In summary, modals function in language by helping express mood, attitude, intention, and obligation, making them a fundamental part of English grammar.