Whats the difference between an auxilliary verb and a modal verb?
An auxilliary verb is a helping verb in that it helps to give the main verb in a sentence more meaning. An auxilliary verb on its own has little meaning. For example:- I am running. (Here the auxilliary verb (to be – am) is helping the action verb (to run – running). A modal verb is a helping verb too, but it gives a special meaning to the main verb. It has an actual meaning on its own. For example:- I can speak English. (Here the modal verb (can) is helping the action verb (to speak). It shows the ability of the subject to speak English.
