What are Semi-modal verbs?
Semi-modal verbs are a special class of verbs that behave a little like modal auxiliary verbs, and a little like normal verbs. Let’s compare them:
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modals have no meaning on their own. They modify another verb.
The verb that follows the modal is always in its basic form. It isn’t inflected for person or tense.
Modals do not change form.
Modals do not need the auxiliary do. To make negatives and questions, they invert the subject and verb.
Semi-modal Verbs
Semi-modals have no meaning on their own. They modify another verb.
The verb that follows the modal is always in its basic form. It isn’t inflected for person or tense. (The one exception is to be + used to, which is followed by a gerund.)
Have to and need to change form to reflect person and tense, but most semi-modals do not change.
Some semi-modals, like have to and need to use do in negatives and questions, but most of them invert.
Semi-modal can be categorized into those that stand alone and those that require to be.
Stand Alone Semi-modals
-need to
-have to
-used to
-ought to
-had better
-would rather
Semi-modals that Require to be
-to be + going to
-to be + about to
-to be + able to
-to be + supposed to
-to be + used to
Stand Alone Semi-modal Verbs
Need to
Usage: Required by someone or important for someone
Structure: Subject + need to + base form of verb
Note: Need to is inflected for person and tense, and requires the auxiliary do for negatives and interrogatives.
Read the following sentences. Notice the inflections! Can you turn the sentences into negations and questions? For higher level students, try using have to in the Present and Past Perfect sentences.
I need to sit down. I feel dizzy.
Sandra needs to work two jobs to make ends meet.
Sorry we a bit late. We needed to stop at the store on the way here.
Have to
Usage: An obligation or necessity
Structure: Subject + have to + base form of verb
Note: 1.) Have to is inflected for person and tense, and requires the auxiliary do for negatives and interrogatives. 2.) The modal must refers to the present or future. When we want to refer to the past, we use had to.
Read the following sentences. Notice the inflections! Can you turn the sentences into negations and questions? For higher level students, try using have to in Present and Past Perfect sentences.
Employees have to wear uniforms.
Sue has to do homework every evening.
John had to give me a ride yesterday because my car broke down.
Learn more about must and have to.
Used to
Usage: a habit or long action in the past that does not happen now.
Structure: Subject + used to + base form of verb
Read the following sentences. Can you turn the sentences into negations and questions?
Tom used to collect stamps.
We used to live in Toronto.
Learn more about used to and would.
Ought to
Usage: obligations (especially moral and ethical)
Structure: Subject + ought to + base form of verb
Note: This semi-modal is very formal, and can sound dated. For day to day speech, use should instead.
Read the following sentences, and replace ought to with should.
You really ought to be kinder to your sister.
Tom didn’t feel like going to church, but he thought he ought to.
You ought not stare at people.
Had better
Usage: an action someone should do to avoid a negative consequence
Structure: Subject + had better + base form of verb
Note: 1.) If you want to sound more casual, you can also use had best. 2.) Notice the contraction. Also, notice that, in the second example, the verb after had better is implied, not stated.
Read the following sentences, and continue the monologue.
We’d better be careful.
You’d better not tell the teacher on me!
I want another slice of cake, but I’d better not.
Would rather
Usage: an alternate way of saying ‘I would prefer’. But would rather is followed by a verb in its basic form, while prefer can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or by a verb in the infinitive.
Structure: Subject + would rather + base form of verb
Read the examples, and restate them using the verb prefer. Notice the contraction!
I’d rather stay home this afternoon.
Would you rather have sandwiches or salad for lunch?
Practice using would rather with speaking games.
Four Forms of Would Rather – high intermediate/advanced grammar lesson
Let’s practice!
Try the quiz to clarify and practice stand alone semi-modals.
Semi-modal Verbs that Require to be
Some semi-modals require the auxiliary verb to be.
To be + going to
Usage: a definite action in the future
Structure: Subject + to be + going to + base form of verb
Note: To sound more casual, we use gonna in place of going to. Be careful to still pronounce the contraction of to be!
I’m gonna work extra hard.
You’re gonna be great!
We’re gonna be in your neighbourhood.
They’re gonna be gone by next week.
Learn more about to be + going to and will.
To be + about to
Usage: an action that will occur in the immediate future
Structure: Subject + to be + about to + base form of verb
Note: You can add just before about to to emphasis immediacy.
The movie is about to start.
I was just about to call you when I got your message.
To be + able to
Usage: to have the ability to do something
Structure: Subject + to be + able to + base form of verb
Note: Able to is similar to the modal verb can. Both refer to the ability to do something. You can also use to be + capable of.
He is able to pass the exam.
Are you able to lift 20 pounds?
The secretary was able to find the document.
We were unable to meet the deadline.
To be + supposed to
Usage: an obligation that is expected or that someone has agreed to/what we expect to happen
Structure: Subject + to be + supposed to + base form of verb
Note: This semi-modal is similar to should and have to. All three imply a sense of obligation.
The children are supposed to be in bed by now.
You were supposed to be here an hour ago.
It wasn’t supposed to rain today.
To be + used to
Usage: to be accustomed to something
Structure: Subject + to be + used to + gerund form of verb (verb+ing)
Note: Be careful not to confuse this with used to + basic form of a verb.
I don’t mind the weather. I’m used to it.
He’s used to getting his own way.
We weren’t used to luxury when I was child. Life was different then.
Learn more about used to versus to be + used to.
