1. Descriptive Grammar – 2S, 2016 Mrs. Belén Berríos Droguett
Operator verbs (v)
Descriptive Grammar – 2S, 2016
Mrs. Belén Berríos Droguett

2. Function
This class appears in VPs as auxiliaries or operators, which happen next to a main verb
There are two types:
Modal verbs
Primary verbs
Generally, these verbs are considered invariable or unchangeable, still they can have a “present/past” form (can – could)
In the case of primary verbs, there can be recognized specific uses:
Be for progressive tenses and the passive voice
Have for the perfect tenses
Do for questions in present and past

3. Form Primary Auxiliaries Modal Verbs
There are only three members in this group: be, have, do
They are the most important and most used verbs in English
Among their characteristics are the change in tense, irregular forms and their possibility of being auxiliary or main verb
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs happen always next to a main verb, they are supposed to have a present and past forms, however the second one can be used in future and presents forms too (according to the context they happen)
Can/could Will/would May/might
Shall/should Must Ought to*

4. Meaning
For AITEG, there can be noticed two main meanings to divide the modals:
Human control over events
Judgment about the “like-ability” of something to happen (or not)
Although these two ideas seem very useful to consider when analyzing, it is better you do not over think about them
As you may know, the use of modal verbs is related to a certain meaning they imply, but this can be more clearly seen inside a sentence and the classification is not really worthy