Modals
The following is a conversation between two artists
Shankar: Shanti, yesterday the ABC Movies called me up seeking my opinion.
shanti: What is that?
Shankar: They've a role for a heroine in their film that is going to sets very soon. They
wanted to offer that role to you. Will you accept it?
Shanti: Did they really mean it? I've two doubts about it. First, can I do it? The second,
should I do it?
Shankar: Yes, you can certainly do it. Regarding your second doubt -I think it's not that you
should do it, you must do it.
Shanti: Why?
Shankar: We may like some roles and others we may not. But we accept them for the sake
of our career.
Shanti: Mmm... .
Shankar: Certain roles we should accept for the sake of satisfaction. That's why, I said you
must do it.
Shanti: Then I take your word as final to me. I shall do it. Tell the ABC Movies that I have
accepted the offer.
The words given in bold letters in the above conversation perform different functions.
They are called modal auxiliaries or modals. Their functions are given below.