Modal Verbs in English Grammar (सहायक क्रियापदे) – A Complete Bilingual Guide
Learn how to use can, could, may, might, must and should correctly, with clear rules, Marathi meanings and example sentences.
What are Modal Verbs? Modal verbs are helping verbs that show ability, permission, possibility, or obligation. They are always followed directly by the base form of the main verb (no “to”).
(इंग्रजी व्याकरणात, क्षमता, परवानगी, शक्यता किंवा कर्तव्य दाखवणाऱ्या सहायक क्रियापदांना ‘मोडल’ म्हणतात. यांच्यानंतर नेहमी मुख्य क्रियापदाचे पहिले रूप येते — “to” न वापरता.)
1. Can / Could — Ability and Permission (क्षमता आणि परवानगी)
English Rule: Use “can” for present ability or informal permission, and “could” for past ability or polite requests.
मराठी नियम: सध्याची क्षमता किंवा अनौपचारिक परवानगीसाठी “can” वापरतात, तर भूतकाळातील क्षमता किंवा नम्र विनंतीसाठी “could” वापरतात.
Examples (उदाहरणे):
- Ability: She can swim very well.
- Permission: Can I use your pen?
- Past ability: He could run fast when he was young.
Example Sentence: Could you please help me with this bag?
(तुम्ही कृपया मला या बॅगसाठी मदत कराल का?)
2. May / Might — Possibility (शक्यता)
English Rule: Use “may” for formal permission or a fairly likely possibility, and “might” for a weaker or less certain possibility.
मराठी नियम: औपचारिक परवानगीसाठी किंवा बऱ्यापैकी शक्य असलेल्या गोष्टीसाठी “may” वापरतात, तर कमी खात्रीशीर शक्यतेसाठी “might” वापरतात.
Examples (उदाहरणे):
- Permission: May I come in, sir?
- Possibility: It may rain this evening.
- Weaker possibility: She might join us later.
Example Sentence: He might not come to the party tonight.
(तो कदाचित आज रात्रीच्या पार्टीला येणार नाही.)
3. Must / Should — Obligation and Advice (कर्तव्य आणि सल्ला)
English Rule: Use “must” for strong obligation or a confident conclusion, and “should” for advice or a mild recommendation.
मराठी नियम: तीव्र कर्तव्यासाठी किंवा खात्रीशीर निष्कर्षासाठी “must” वापरतात, तर सल्ला किंवा सौम्य शिफारशीसाठी “should” वापरतात.
Examples (उदाहरणे):
- Obligation: Students must wear their uniform.
- Conclusion: The lights are off — they must be asleep.
- Advice: You should drink more water every day.
Example Sentence: You should revise your lessons before the exam.
(परीक्षेपूर्वी तुम्ही तुमचे धडे पुन्हा पाहायला हवेत.)
Common Mistake for Marathi Speakers (मराठी भाषिकांची सामान्य चूक)
Marathi speakers often add “to” after a modal verb and say “I can to swim”. Modal verbs are always followed directly by the base verb, with no “to”. The correct form is “I can swim.”
(अनेकजण मोडल क्रियापदानंतर चुकीने “to” जोडतात — “I can to swim.” मोडल क्रियापदानंतर नेहमी मुख्य क्रियापदाचे पहिले रूप थेट येते, “to” शिवाय. योग्य वाक्य आहे: “I can swim.”)
Summary Table: Modal Verbs (तक्ता)
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can / Could | Ability, informal permission | She can swim. |
| May / Might | Formal permission, possibility | It may rain. |
| Must | Strong obligation, confident conclusion | Students must wear uniform. |
| Should | Advice, mild recommendation | You should drink more water. |
Test Your Understanding — Modal Verbs Quiz
तुमची समज तपासा! Answer all 10 questions and see your score at the end.
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