What is a phrasal modal?

A phrasal modal is a combination of a modal verb (like *can*, *should*, *will*, etc.) and an adverbial particle (like *out*, *up*, *away*, *off*, *on*, etc.) that together express a particular meaning. These phrasal modals often have a more nuanced meaning than the modal verb alone and can sometimes be used in place of a single modal verb.

Here are some common phrasal modals and their meanings:

Phrasal Modal | Meaning | Example

------- | -------- | --------

*be able to* | Ability | I *am able to* speak French.

*have to* | Obligation | You *have to* wear a helmet.

*have got to* | Strong obligation | We *have got to* leave now.

*be supposed to* | Expectation | You *are supposed to* be quiet in the library.

*be going to* | Future intention | I *am going to* go to the store.

*be about to* | Immediate future | She *is about to* cry.

*be allowed to* | Permission | Children *are allowed to* play here.

*ought to* | Moral obligation | You *ought to* apologize.

*be bound to* | Certainty | It *is bound to* rain.

*be likely to* | Probability | They *are likely to* win.

*be due to* | Scheduled | The train *is due to* arrive at 10:00.

*be meant to* | Purpose | This book *is meant to* help you learn.

Here are some important things to keep in mind about phrasal modals:

* They often have a more informal tone. While "You should go" is perfectly grammatically correct, "You ought to go" might sound more formal.

* They can be used in a variety of tenses. You can say "I am able to" or "I was able to" or "I will be able to."

* They can be used with different subjects. You can say "He has to go" or "They have got to leave" or "The car is supposed to be fixed."

* They can be tricky for non-native speakers. It's important to learn the specific meanings of each phrasal modal and how to use them correctly.

Overall, phrasal modals are an important part of English vocabulary and can add nuance and flexibility to your speech and writing.