Semi-modals are verbs that behave in an intermediate way between modal verbs and ordinary verbs. We will study need, dare, and ought to.
Basic Rules
need: It has two uses, as a modal verb and as an ordinary verb
- Modal verb: mainly in negative and interrogative sentences “Need I go? / You need not go.” (takes the base form; no third-person singular s)
- Ordinary verb: used in affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences “You need to go. / He needs to study. / Do you need help?”
In modern English, ordinary-verb need to do is far more common. Modal need is literary or old-fashioned.
dare: “have the courage to do something / have the nerve to do something”
- Modal verb: mainly in negative and interrogative sentences “I dare not say so. / Dare you do it?”
- Ordinary verb: “I don't dare (to) say so.” “How dare you say that!” (a common exclamatory criticism)
ought to: “should”
- It is a modal verb, but to is required “You ought to apologize.”
- Negative: ought not to / oughtn't to
- ought to have done: “should have done” (synonymous with should have done)
You needn't worry about it.（You do not need to worry about it）← modal need
You need to be careful.（You must be careful）← ordinary verb need
How dare you speak to me like that!（How can you speak to me in such a way!）
You ought to apologize to her.（You should apologize to her）
He ought to have arrived by now.（He should have arrived by now）← conjecture or regret about the past
Points to Remember
① The use of need depends on style: modal need is old-fashioned and literary. In everyday conversation, ordinary-verb need to do is common.
② had better + base-form verb: “should do something” (with a warning nuance) also functions like a semi-modal.
- Affirmative: You had better leave now.
- Negative: You had better not say that. (Pay attention to the position of not)
- Contraction: You'd better do it.
③ would rather + base-form verb: “would prefer to do something (or not to do something)” “I would rather stay home tonight.” “I would rather not go.”
④ may/might as well + base-form verb: “might as well do something / may as well do something” “We might as well start now.”
⑤ ought to is common in old-fashioned written English. In conversation and modern English, should is more common.
- need: modal verb (negative/interrogative) vs ordinary verb (need to do)
- How dare you ~! is an exclamatory criticism
- ought to + base-form verb = should (somewhat literary)
- had better + base form (warning); negative: had better not
- would rather + base form = would prefer to do something
Practice
- Translate “You do not need to worry about it” into English using need as a modal verb.
- Translate “He should have apologized to her” into English using ought to have.
- Translate “You had better leave immediately (warning)” into English using had better.