This page will contain list of modal verbs and verbs that are not modal but may express modality.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
advice | thrâh- | v | NL “thrag-” (bring) < TK “thrak-” (bring, hale, drag by force) | with prefix “thu-” transforms into “thuthrâh-” (to insist); target person should be marked with dative case |
allow | dabh- | v | NL < Noldorin “dâf” (permission) < Etym. “DAB” (give way, make room, permit, allow) | use with objects in Dative case |
amen | gâkh | expr | AN, equivalent of Quenya “nai” | wishing; more like interjection than verb |
answer | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
appear | thak- | v | NL < Sindarin “thia-” < Etym. “THÊ” | “look like”, not “look at”; meaning depends on aspect: perfective = “appear” or “turn out”, partial = “seem” |
ask for | has- | v | LOS, probably from Quenya “cesta” (to seek, search for, ask) or Qenya “iqista” (“request”, “please”, n) < Etym. “IQI” | |
ask for | khûl- | v | NL < HG “khul-” (to question, ask); changed to avoid ambiguity with suffixes “-ul” and “-ulg” | add prefix “thu-” to clarify meaning “demand” |
assume | ton- | v | NL < LOS “tonprakh” < SV (to suppose, presume) < LL “prakh” (to lure) | |
await | darb- | v | NL < Etym. “DAR” | |
be | kul- | v | LOS, compare with Quenya “cuilë” (life) < Etym. “KUY” (come to life, awake) | |
be able (to) | pâsh- | v | LOS | ability to do something physically or with enough knowledge |
be capable (of) | pâsh- | v | LOS | ability to do something physically or with enough knowledge |
beg | has- | v | LOS, probably from Quenya “cesta” (to seek, search for, ask) or Qenya “iqista” (“request”, “please”, n) < Etym. “IQI” | |
can | pâsh- | v | LOS | ability to do something physically or with enough knowledge |
command | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
command | kazh- | v | ZB < Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says” | |
could | pâsh- | v | LOS | ability to do something physically or with enough knowledge |
dare | hûr- | v | LOS < TK PN “Mauhûr”, Noldorin “hûr” (vigour, fiery spirit) < Etym. “KHOR” | |
daresay | ton- | v | NL < LOS “tonprakh” < SV (to suppose, presume) < LL “prakh” (to lure) | |
demand | khûl- | v | NL < HG “khul-” (to question, ask); changed to avoid ambiguity with suffixes “-ul” and “-ulg” | add prefix “thu-” to clarify meaning “demand” |
dream | taur- | v | NL < Summoning “taurzur” (dreams, n) | dream about, not sleep |
expect | darb- | v | NL < Etym. “DAR” | |
fear | furg- | v | NL, merging Quenya “þorya” (to dread, feel fear) < root “THOS”, with Qenya “varka” (to bode, dread, fear) < Primitive Elvish root “VṚKṚ” and with LOS “ufur-”, also “uf-” (to frighten) < TK PN “Ufthak”; see also “uf-”, “ufur” | passive, fear of smth., not frighten smb. else |
give oath | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
guarantee | fad- | v | NL < Quenya “vanda” (oath, pledge, solemn promise) | promise to smb. - use with object Dative case |
guarantee | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
guess | ton- | v | NL < LOS “tonprakh” < SV (to suppose, presume) < LL “prakh” (to lure) | |
have to | bolk- | v | RE | active = “need”, past/perfect passive (“bolkâkuz” = “have/had to”) |
have to | maug- | v | NL < Noldorin “bui” (I must), “baur” (need) < Etym. “MBAW” (compel, force, subject, oppress); compare with “mog” in name “Gothmog” | closer to “must”. Not used with passive constructions like “must be destroyed” – use gerundive instead |
hope | khard- | v | NL < Noldorin “hartha-”, “harthad” (n), Gnomish (n) “hodhir”, “hôth” | |
let | dabh- | v | NL < Noldorin “dâf” (permission) < Etym. “DAB” (give way, make room, permit, allow) | use with objects in Dative case |
let it be | gâkh | expr | AN, equivalent of Quenya “nai” | wishing; more like interjection than verb |
let's | gâkh | expr | AN, equivalent of Quenya “nai” | wishing; more like interjection than verb |
like | brogb- | v | LOS < HG “like, favor, fancy” | but not in expression “I would like” |
look (like) | thak- | v | NL < Sindarin “thia-” < Etym. “THÊ” | “look like”, not “look at”; meaning depends on aspect: perfective = “appear” or “turn out”, partial = “seem” |
love | brogb- | v | LOS < HG “like, favor, fancy” | but not in expression “I would like” |
make oath | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
make out | thak- | v | NL < Sindarin “thia-” < Etym. “THÊ” | “look like”, not “look at”; meaning depends on aspect: perfective = “appear” or “turn out”, partial = “seem” |
may | ilf- | v | NL < Mitanni Hurrian suffixes “-(i)lefa”, “-(o)lefa” of potential mood | probability of something to happen |
may it be so | gâkh | expr | AN, equivalent of Quenya “nai” | wishing; more like interjection than verb |
might | ilf- | v | NL < Mitanni Hurrian suffixes “-(i)lefa”, “-(o)lefa” of potential mood | probability of something to happen |
mortgage | fad- | v | NL < Quenya “vanda” (oath, pledge, solemn promise) | promise to smb. - use with object Dative case |
must | maug- | v | NL < Noldorin “bui” (I must), “baur” (need) < Etym. “MBAW” (compel, force, subject, oppress); compare with “mog” in name “Gothmog” | closer to “must”. Not used with passive constructions like “must be destroyed” – use gerundive instead |
need | bolk- | v | RE | active = “need”, past/perfect passive (“bolkâkuz” = “have/had to”) |
need | narg- | v | DS (want), LOS “nargzab-” (need, want, have to) < SV, probably from “nar-” (no) and “zab-” (to own, possess), so lit. “do not have” | |
offer | thrâh- | v | NL “thrag-” (bring) < TK “thrak-” (bring, hale, drag by force) | with prefix “thu-” transforms into “thuthrâh-” (to insist); target person should be marked with dative case |
order | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
order | kazh- | v | ZB < Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says” | |
ought to | maug- | v | NL < Noldorin “bui” (I must), “baur” (need) < Etym. “MBAW” (compel, force, subject, oppress); compare with “mog” in name “Gothmog” | closer to “must”. Not used with passive constructions like “must be destroyed” – use gerundive instead |
permit | dabh- | v | NL < Noldorin “dâf” (permission) < Etym. “DAB” (give way, make room, permit, allow) | use with objects in Dative case |
plead | has- | v | LOS, probably from Quenya “cesta” (to seek, search for, ask) or Qenya “iqista” (“request”, “please”, n) < Etym. “IQI” | |
pledge | fad- | v | NL < Quenya “vanda” (oath, pledge, solemn promise) | promise to smb. - use with object Dative case |
pledge | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
predict | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
promise | fad- | v | NL < Quenya “vanda” (oath, pledge, solemn promise) | promise to smb. - use with object Dative case |
propose | thrâh- | v | NL “thrag-” (bring) < TK “thrak-” (bring, hale, drag by force) | with prefix “thu-” transforms into “thuthrâh-” (to insist); target person should be marked with dative case |
recommend | thrâh- | v | NL “thrag-” (bring) < TK “thrak-” (bring, hale, drag by force) | with prefix “thu-” transforms into “thuthrâh-” (to insist); target person should be marked with dative case |
reply | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
request | has- | v | LOS, probably from Quenya “cesta” (to seek, search for, ask) or Qenya “iqista” (“request”, “please”, n) < Etym. “IQI” | |
request | khûl- | v | NL < HG “khul-” (to question, ask); changed to avoid ambiguity with suffixes “-ul” and “-ulg” | add prefix “thu-” to clarify meaning “demand” |
retell | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
risk | hûr- | v | LOS < TK PN “Mauhûr”, Noldorin “hûr” (vigour, fiery spirit) < Etym. “KHOR” | |
say | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
say | kazh- | v | ZB < Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says” | |
seem | bozd- | v | EH “bozd” (face, n) < Gnomish “gwint”, compare with LOS “ozt-” < HG “ozut-” (appear, seem) | modal meaning in expressions like “it seems” |
seem | thak- | v | NL < Sindarin “thia-” < Etym. “THÊ” | “look like”, not “look at”; meaning depends on aspect: perfective = “appear” or “turn out”, partial = “seem” |
shall | maug- | v | NL < Noldorin “bui” (I must), “baur” (need) < Etym. “MBAW” (compel, force, subject, oppress); compare with “mog” in name “Gothmog” | closer to “must”. Not used with passive constructions like “must be destroyed” – use gerundive instead |
should | maug- | v | NL < Noldorin “bui” (I must), “baur” (need) < Etym. “MBAW” (compel, force, subject, oppress); compare with “mog” in name “Gothmog” | closer to “must”. Not used with passive constructions like “must be destroyed” – use gerundive instead |
speak | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
suggest | thrâh- | v | NL “thrag-” (bring) < TK “thrak-” (bring, hale, drag by force) | with prefix “thu-” transforms into “thuthrâh-” (to insist); target person should be marked with dative case |
suppose | ton- | v | NL < LOS “tonprakh” < SV (to suppose, presume) < LL “prakh” (to lure) | |
swear | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
tell | gashn- | v | LOS, probably from Valarin “akašân” = “he (Eru) says”; compare with NL “goshn”, “gaz”, “gazd”, “kazh”; compare with Sindarin “can” (to cry out, shout, call), “-gon” (either “command” or “revered”) in PN “Turgon”, “Firgon”, all from Etym. “KAN” (dare) and early Primitive Elvish root “KAN” (cry aloud, command, lead, rule) | just make a meaningful sounds, say a word or more, but it's not necessary if other person answered, if speaker heard it, if speaker take the answer into consideration, etc.; with prefix “bhû-” means “predict”; with prefix ”kru-” means “answer”, “reply”; with prefix “ri-” means “interrupt”; with prefix “thu-” means “command”, “order”; do not mix with “ghâsh-” (to burn) |
venture | hûr- | v | LOS < TK PN “Mauhûr”, Noldorin “hûr” (vigour, fiery spirit) < Etym. “KHOR” | |
vow | gazd- | v | NL, combination of HG “gadhl” (to promise) < SV (but no source word given) with Noldorin “gwaedh”, “gwest” (oath, bond, troth) < Etym. “WED” (bind); compare with “gaz” (mouth) and “gashn-” (say) | more obligatory promise, usually invoking some divine being or spirit, or by leaving a mortgage. E.g. “Gazd turkûrz sha!” (Swear on precious!); if the oath is given to somebody, receiver should be marked with Dative case |
wait | darb- | v | NL < Etym. “DAR” | |
want | hiz- | v | NL < DS “hiz-”, “hizi-”, “izhi-” | want for self |
want | irm- | v | NL < Gnomish “erth” (wish, n.), “irm” (wish, intention, n.), “irn” (desired, wished for, adj.), Quenya “írë” < Etym. “ID” (n) “desire, wish” | want for others, want something to happen |
want | narg- | v | DS (want), LOS “nargzab-” (need, want, have to) < SV, probably from “nar-” (no) and “zab-” (to own, possess), so lit. “do not have” | |
warrant | fad- | v | NL < Quenya “vanda” (oath, pledge, solemn promise) | promise to smb. - use with object Dative case |
will | hiz- | v | NL < DS “hiz-”, “hizi-”, “izhi-” | want for self |
wish | irm- | v | NL < Gnomish “erth” (wish, n.), “irm” (wish, intention, n.), “irn” (desired, wished for, adj.), Quenya “írë” < Etym. “ID” (n) “desire, wish” | want for others, want something to happen |