9 modals
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This document summarizes the different uses of modal verbs in English grammar. It discusses 12 modal verbs - can, could, may, might, must, must not/may not, need not, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. For each modal verb, it provides examples of how they are used to indicate ability, permission, possibility, necessity, prohibition, advice, obligation, suggestions, predictions and more.
9 modals
- 1. Modals - English Grammar 1) can Use Examples ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) I can speak English. permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) Can I go to the cinema? request Can you wait a moment, please? offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow. suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the weekend? possibility It can get very hot in Arizona. 2) could Use Examples ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) I could speak English. permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be allowed to) I could go to the cinema. polite question * Could I go to the cinema, please? polite request * Could you wait a moment, please? polite offer * I could lend you my car till tomorrow. polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend? possibility * It could get very hot in Montana. 3) may Use Examples possibility It may rain today. permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) May I go to the cinema? polite suggestion May I help you? 4) might Use Examples possibility (less possible than may) * It might rain today. hesitant offer * Might I help you?
- 2. 5) must Use Examples force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today. possibility You must be tired. advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt. 6) must not/may not Use Examples prohibition You mustn't work on dad's computer. You may not work on dad's computer. 7) need not Use Examples not necessary I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going to the restaurant tonight. 8) ought to Use Examples advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather. obligation You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room. 9) shall instead of will in the 1st person Use Examples suggestion Shall I carry your bag? 10) should Use Examples advice You should drive carefully in bad weather. obligation You should switch off the light when you leave the room. 11) will
- 3. Use Examples wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would) Will you please shut the door? prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday. promise I will stop smoking. spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? - I will. habits She's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking. 12) would Use Examples wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please? habits in the past Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.