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modal auxiliary
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noun
Grammar. any of the group of English auxiliary verbs, including can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must, that are used with the base form of another verb to express distinctions of mood.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of modal auxiliary
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby modal auxiliary
mockumentary, mock-up, mod, modacrylic fiber, modal, modal auxiliary, modalism, modality, modal logic, mod cons, modding
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023