Semi Modal auxiliary Verbs/ Modal and semi modal verbs

Dare, need, used to, ought to, have to, had better are the semi-modal auxiliary verbs used in english language.

These semi-modal auxiliary verbs are preferred to express necessity, habitual action, moral obligation, advice etc.

semi-modal verbs	used for
dare	to show courage to do
need	necessity
used to	habitual action
ought to	moral obligation
have to	equal to must
had better	advice in specific situation

Table 6. Usages of semi-modal verbs

Dare, need, ought to, used to, have to and had better are generally considered as semi-modal verbs.

They are known so just because of they function similar to modal verbs.

Now, for better insight, let’s see the meaning and usages of semi-modal verbs one by one.

“Dare” means to be courageous, brave and even reckless while doing something.

“Dare” doesn’t conjugate in other forms.

How dare he challenge to me?
I dare not ask for compensation again.

Besides, “Dare” plays the role of main verb.

“Dare” as main verb

I can’t believe she dared (to) ask for leave. (“to” is optional here)
I’m confident that no one dares (to) challenge our legacy!
No, I can’t dare (to) complain against class teacher.

Need as the modal auxiliary verb hardly used but main verb.

Need as main verb

She needs that medicine in the evening.
He needed some money today, so he requested me.

Apart from these, “Have to” is alternative for “Must”; whereas, “Ought to” for “Should”. “Used to” is generally used to express repeated daily activities.

Modal verbs are secondary helping verbs and used to express modalities and degree of possibility and obligation.

Modality indicates different types of possibility and obligation that person expresses.

What does mood mean?

In english grammar, among many grammatical features, “Mood” is one of the most important. It is a property of verb and has several values such as, indicative, subjunctive, and imperative moods.

“Will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could, and must” are identified as basic, true modal verbs. Whereas, “Dare, need, used to, ought to, have to, and had better” are called as semi-modal verbs.

As per the characteristics of modal verbs, these neither conjugated forms nor take finite verb to construct meaning.

Actually, these haven’t their semantic meaning and take basic form of verb. “May” modal verb describes strong possibility, permission, polite offer, and wish.

On the other hand, “Can” modal expresses ability, forceful request, possibility, and permission but less effective compare to “May”.

Command, offer, and warning is given by “Shall” and “Will” is for willingness, determination, and future tense.