STUDENTLERDI BIRLESTIRIW: XALÍQARALÍQ IZERTLEWLER HÁM PÁNLER BOYINSHA BIRGE
ISLESIW 1-XALÍQARALÍQ STUDENTLER KONFERENCIYASÍ. NÓKIS, 2025-JÍL 20-21-MAY
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THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MODAL VERBS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK
Sarsenbaev Bekpolat Abatovich
1st year student of Gulistan State Pedagogical Institute
Naimova Nazira Kairatdinovna
Assistant teacher of University of Innovative Technologies
Abstract
. Modal verbs play a significant role in expressing modality, such as ability, permission,
obligation, and possibility, across languages. This article provides a comparative analysis of modal
verbs in English and Uzbek, identifying both similarities and differences. While English relies on a
fixed set of auxiliary modal verbs, Uzbek employs a more flexible combination of lexical items,
auxiliary verbs, and grammatical constructions to express modality. The study reveals that although
both languages cover similar semantic fields, their structural and syntactic realizations differ
substantially. Understanding these distinctions enhances cross-linguistic competence and supports
more effective translation, language teaching, and linguistic research.
Keywords
: Modal verbs; English language; Uzbek language; modality; grammatical comparison;
auxiliary
verbs;
permission;
obligation;
possibility;
cross-linguistic
analysis
Introduction.
Languages around the world exhibit both similarities and differences in their
grammatical systems. In this regard, modal verbs, which express modality such as ability, permission,
obligation, and possibility, play a crucial role in communication. Moreover, the comparison of English
and Uzbek modal verbs offers insights into the typological and functional peculiarities of both
languages. Therefore, this article aims to provide a detailed comparative analysis of modal verbs in
English and Uzbek, highlighting their similarities and differences.
In English, core modal verbs include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and
ought to. Conversely, Uzbek expresses modality through a combination of auxiliary verbs, suffixes,
and modal expressions such as mumkin (possible), kerak (necessary), shart (must), lozim (necessary),
and auxiliary constructions like -sa bo‘ladi (it would be good if).
Thus, while English relies heavily on a fixed set of modal verbs, Uzbek employs a more flexible
system involving multiple grammatical strategies.
In English, ability is typically conveyed through can and could:
She can swim [5, 887-892].
Meanwhile, in Uzbek, the same meaning is expressed with verbs like bilmoq (to know) or auxiliary
expressions:
U suzishni biladi. (She knows how to swim.)
Hence, the Uzbek construction tends to emphasize knowledge or acquired skill rather than immediate
physical ability.
English uses may or can to express permission:
You may leave now.
On the other hand, Uzbek expresses permission through the word mumkin or polite requests:
Siz ketishingiz mumkin. (You may leave.)
In other words, while English often uses direct modal verbs, Uzbek typically prefers descriptive
phrases to convey permission.
Obligation in English is expressed using must, have to, should, and ought to:
You must submit the report.
Similarly, in Uzbek, words like kerak, shart, lozim convey necessity:
Hisobotni topshirish kerak. (It is necessary to submit the report.)
Notably, the Uzbek expressions lack subject agreement, often appearing as impersonal constructions,
which differentiates them from English.
STUDENTLERDI BIRLESTIRIW: XALÍQARALÍQ IZERTLEWLER HÁM PÁNLER BOYINSHA BIRGE
ISLESIW 1-XALÍQARALÍQ STUDENTLER KONFERENCIYASÍ. NÓKIS, 2025-JÍL 20-21-MAY
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131
Modal verbs like might, may, must are used in English to express different levels of certainty:
It might rain tomorrow.
By contrast, Uzbek uses adverbs and modal expressions:
Ertaga yomg‘ir yog‘ishi mumkin. (It is possible that it will rain tomorrow.) [1, 386-390].
Thus, although both languages express possibility, Uzbek relies more on lexical means rather than
grammaticalized modal verbs.
English modal verbs are invariant; they do not change form according to the subject:
She can go. / They can go.
In contrast, Uzbek modal expressions agree with verbs through suffixes, and the choice of auxiliary
words depends on tense and mood.
Consequently, this shows that English modals function more syntactically like auxiliary verbs,
whereas Uzbek modals blend syntactic and lexical strategies.
Both languages express the same basic modal ideas. However, English does so with a smaller, fixed
set of grammatical verbs, while Uzbek uses a combination of words, suffixes, and expressions, making
its system more flexible but less grammaticalized.
Conclusion. In summary, while both English and Uzbek languages use modal expressions to
convey ability, permission, obligation, and possibility, they do so through fundamentally different
systems. On the one hand, English relies on a concise set of auxiliary modal verbs. On the other hand,
Uzbek utilizes a broader range of lexical and grammatical devices. Therefore, understanding these
differences is essential for learners, translators, and linguists alike. In the future, further research could
explore the pragmatic implications of modal usage in bilingual communication contexts.
References
:
1. Abdumutal o‘g‘li, A. A. (2024). UZBEK ALTERNATIVES TO MODAL VERBS IN
ENGLISH. Ethiopian International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 11(04), 386-390.
2. Bakhtiyarovna, S. M. (2024). COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MODAL VERBS IN
ENGLISH AND UZBEK. CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PEDAGOGICS, 5(10), 203-
206.
3. Malika, B., & Tilovmurod, M. (2024). THE PLACE AND IMPORTANCE OF USING
MODAL VERBS IN SENTENCES. O'ZBEKISTONDA FANLARARO INNOVATSIYALAR
VA ILMIY TADQIQOTLAR JURNALI, 3(33), 1-4.
4. Marhabo, M. (2023). Means of Modality in Linguistics as A Universal Linguistic Event.
International Journal on Integrated Education, 5(4), 131-136.
5. Narimanova, A. (2022). Structure of modal verbs in English. Oriental renaissance: Innovative,
educational, natural and social sciences, 2(12), 887-892.
СОПОСТАВИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ ЗАЛОГОВЫХ ЗНАЧЕНИЙ ГЛАГОЛОВ
КАРАКАЛПАКСКОГО И АНГЛИЙСКОГО ЯЗЫКОВ
Сатуллаева Н.Ж
Ph.D, старший преподаватель
кафедры английского языка и литературы
Есбергенова А
Студентка КГУ
Грамматическая категория залога, в основе которой лежат отношения между действием,
его агенсом и объектом действия, относится к числу наиболее ранних языковых категорий и
имеет статус языковой универсалии, поскольку лежащие в ее основе отношения имеют
большое значение в жизнедеятельности человека и характере взаимоотношений человека с
окружающим миром. Залоговые отношения находят свое выражение в той или иной форме,
