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Meaning & use

semi-modals

noun·Academictechnical

Last updated

UK/ˌsemi ˈməʊdlz/
US/ˌsemi ˈmoʊdlz/

Meanings

  1. nounpluraltechnical

    A small group of verb phrases that work like modal verbs but change form and combine with to, such as have to, be able to, and need to.

    Grammar: Always plural; the singular semi-modal refers to one item, e.g. have to is a semi-modal.

    Patterns

    • semi-modals + plural verb
    • a semi-modal + singular verb

    In English grammar lessons, semi-modals are often taught after the true modals like can and must.

    Have to is a semi-modal because it takes -s in the third person: she has to go.

    Unlike can, the semi-modal be able to can be used in the future: I will be able to help.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    A verb phrase of this type used in a particular sentence, especially when it expresses obligation, ability, or willingness.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say a semi-modal or two semi-modals.

    Patterns

    • use a semi-modal
    • a semi-modal for obligation

    The teacher asked us to underline every semi-modal in the paragraph.

    Need to is a semi-modal that can also behave like an ordinary verb in questions.

    Learners often replace must with the semi-modal have to in past tenses.

Word forms

singularsemi-modal

Common combinations

true modals and semi-modals
The chapter contrasts true modals and semi-modals in a table.
a semi-modal of obligation
Have to is the most common semi-modal of obligation.
replace a modal with a semi-modal
In the past tense, you replace must with a semi-modal such as had to.
semi-modal verbs
Semi-modal verbs like be going to are very frequent in conversation.

Synonyms and how they differ

marginal modal
A more technical term used in some grammar books for the same group of verbs; semi-modal is the more common label in teaching materials.
quasi-modal
Another specialist term with the same meaning; it appears in academic descriptions rather than in classroom exercises.

Word family

modal noun
A verb like can, must, or should that does not change form and is followed by a bare infinitive.
modal verb noun
The full term for a core modal such as may or will.

Commonly confused: semi-modals or modal verbs?

semi-modals vs modal verbs

True modal verbs (can, must, should) do not take to or -s; semi-modals do, for example has to and is able to.

Practice

Which sentence uses a semi-modal correctly?

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