Journal MELT (Medium for English Language Teaching)
Vol 3, No 2 (2018): MELT December 2018

STUDENTS’ ERRORS IN USING MODALS

Enni Maisaroh (English Education Department Universitas Potensi Utama, Medan, North Sumatera)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Dec 2018

Abstract

This study deals with the students’ errors in using modals of Can, May and Must. There were 25 students chosen as the sample who were asked to write compositions containing the modals. There were errors found in the writings which were categorized into 10 types according to the use of the modals. Type 1 (modal + simple infinitive to) is the dominant errors while Type 5 ( modal + pronoun) is the fewest. In all, there were 52 errors made in 192 modals used. Therefore, the percentage of the errors is 27%. This implies that the students could use the modals quite well. The second most difficult in the compositions is Must (34.92%) while according to their responses in the questionnaire the most difficult modal verb is May (48%) the causes of the errors were that the students lacked the knowledge of the uses; They seldom, practiced the use of the modals in compositions , and applied translation approach to use the modals in their writings. It is suggested that they be taught the pattern modal + simple infinitive to because this is the most common error.

Copyrights © 2018






Journal Info

Abbrev

MELT

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Journal MELT (Medium for English Language Teaching) is a scientific journal which published by English Education Study Program, University of Potensi Utama Medan. MELT Journal published twice a year in June and December. This journal is the forum for academics and researchers to share the ...