Verbs are vital components of the English language. They enable authors to express actions and experiences and are necessary for conveying meaning. Modal verbs are used to demonstrate possibility, ability, permission, or necessity in specific instances. These verbs can cause confusion for authors, especially those not as familiar with English grammar.

Here, we’ll explain how to use verbs and modal verbs, and why scientific writing depends on the correct usage of each.

What are verbs?

Before explaining modal verbs, understanding the fundamentals of verbs is key. Verbs are used to show that the subject of a sentence is doing something (action), experiencing or feeling something (state of being), or that something is happening (occurrence).

For example, here the verb describes an action:

The participant sat in a chair.

In the following example, the verb describes a state of being:

The participant enjoyed helping with the study.

In this example, the verb describes an occurrence:

The participant became restless after repeated rounds.

Evidently, verbs link the subject with any ensuing description, helping to provide a sense of continuity within sentences and establish meaning.

Verbs are important in scientific writing because they describe the actions that were taken during a study and any occurrences observed under controlled conditions. Of course, scientific writing usually reflects on studies that have already been conducted, therefore it’s common for verbs to be used in their past tense forms.

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are words that demonstrate possibility, ability, permission, or necessity. Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb, meaning they help form the tenses and moods of other verbs. In essence, they provide supplementary or additional information to a sentence and its action. Common examples of modal verbs are ‘may/might,’ ‘can/could,’ ‘shall/should,’ and ‘must.’

Nuances of modal verbs

‘May’ and ‘might’ both express possibility but differ in likelihood and tense. ‘May’ is used most often in the present tense and to describe a probable hypothetical. In contrast, ‘might’ is used most often in the past tense and to describe an unlikely hypothetical. For example:

The participant may experience side effects from the dose.

If the study had been conducted using a different sample, the results might have been more accurate.

‘Can’ demonstrates possibility while also indicating ability and permission. ‘Could’ does the same but in the past tense.

The sample can be taken from another area.

The participants could leave the study at any stage.

‘Shall’ indicates a future action, whereas ‘should’ indicates likelihood.

We shall investigate the anomalies in a future study.

Results should showcase stronger tendencies towards illness in older cohorts.

Finally, ‘must’ indicates either certainty or necessity.

The data must indicate the presence of CO₂.

Procedures as explained below must be followed.

The nuances of model verbs, then, enable authors to consider how likely something is to occur, whether something has the ability or permission to carry out an action, and how necessary specific actions are.

How to use modal verbs in scientific writing

Modal verbs play an important role in scientific writing.

Science is based on hypotheticals that are either confirmed or challenged through repeated studies and extensive reflections. Because of this uncertainty, authors need to be wary of being too definitive when it comes to making observations and assumptions.

As an author engaging in scientific writing, this means avoiding language such as ‘should’ and ‘must’ in certain instances. ‘Exaggerating’ or ‘absolute’ phrases, such as the examples below, are phrases to avoid in academic writing.

The results of this study must be applicable to all population groups.

There should be no other anomalies in future studies.

While these assumptions might eventually be proven true, they overgeneralize and risk making false claims. Other modal verbs such as ‘might’ and ‘may’ are more appropriate for scientific writing, allowing authors to temper conclusions to demonstrate possibility rather than absolute truth.

Be persuasive but cautious

Authors should aim to be persuasive but cautious in their writing. Although findings may have the data to support them, scientific research is always developing, and once-accepted theories are often displaced by newer ones. Using the correct modal verbs ensures that authors do not overgeneralize, keeping in line with scientific accuracy.

At MDPI Author Services, we specialize in helping researchers prepare their manuscripts for publication. Our Figure Editing Service provides publication-ready figures that clearly communicate your research to readers. Figure editing enhances your charts and graphs by revising the colors, shading, size, resolution, borders, font, and file type. This is all completed in one business day after payment. Click here for a free quote.

Subscribe to the Author Services Newsletter for tips, discounts, and updates.