![]() ![]() The stronger the modal, the stronger the possibility. This use of modals hedges, or weakens, the certainty of a sentence. This second table organizes examples of each modal by its use, also including an explanation. Notice that the same modal can have different strengths when it’s used for different functions (e.g., may or can). Eight modal verbs are listed under each of the functions they can perform in academic writing, and are ordered from strongest to weakest for each function. In academic writing, modal verbs are most frequently used to indicate logical possibility and least frequently used to indicate permission. Necessity: expresses directness in attitudeīefore: Wash your hands before preparing food.Īfter: You must wash your hands before preparing food. ![]() Logical possibility: expresses a degree of probabilityīefore: This is the fastest way to drive to Westwood.Īfter: This might be the fastest way to drive to Westwood. Each function alters a sentence’s perspective differently. This handout is best used with a piece of writing that benefits from being subjective. They are especially common in discussion sections of research papers. Modals can also serve a social function to show uncertainty or politeness. This handout shows how modals in academic writing can change a sentence’s meaning into a prediction, suggestion, or a question. Modals do not have subject-verb agreement or take the infinitive “to” before the next verb. Modal verbs (will, would, should, may, can, could, might, must) precede another verb. ![]()
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