Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal verbs are kind of auxiliary verbs. It is a small class of auxiliary verbs that are used to express modality.
Modal phrases are used to express the same things as modals but are a combination of auxiliary verbs and prepositions to facilitate the main verb, permission, possibility, and ability.
When used with the main verb, the modal verb does not end with st for third-person singular they have a different form of past tense.
Modal auxiliary verbs in English are:
SHALL
SHOULD
WILL
WOULD
MAY
MIGHT
CAN
COULD
MUST
OUGHT
Shall be used for forming the future tense of another verb when the subject is wrong or we don't have a future tense of it. Sometimes, a verb shall express the meaning of its own, namely that of determination when we form an interrogative sentence shall be used to politely seek the listener or opinion about a future decision.
In informal situations to express obligation.
Replaced nowadays with should.
Examples:
We shall see each other tomorrow.
I shall call from the school.
Where shall we begin?
Shall I boil the eggs?
Shall we not spoil the grass?
We shall not be plucking the flowers.
Shall we not be catching the butterflies?
Should is a modal auxiliary verb. Should express less possibility than shall. Should is the only auxiliary verb that can be used after lest. Used to express future conditions. Used in a polite or tentative expression of opinion. Used to give advice or make a recommendation.
Should be used with pronouns of all the three persons to talk about duty and obligation. Should is the past tense of shall in indirect speech.
Examples:
She should wash them, but there wasn't time.
Should he buy a car?
Should wear my new dress?
I should think they will be pleased.
Watch and pray lest you should fall into temptation.
I should be able to meet Peter.
I should call my mother more often.
You should apply for a job at my company.
Will is particularly versatile, having several different meanings in the first person. Will is used to expressing willingness or determination. Will express intention. Will denote predictions. Will is also used to express the capacity or capability. It is used to express persistence.
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