Grammar Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.
They are used alongside main verbs and do not change form according to subject. Here’s an
overview of common modal verbs and their uses:
1. Can / Could
Expresses ability, permission, or possibility.
Uses:
Ability:
Can (present/future ability):
Example: I can drive a car. (I know how to do it now)
Could (past ability):
Example: He could play the piano when he was younger. (But maybe he can’t anymore)
Permission:
Can (informal):
Example: Can I borrow your pen? (A request)
Could (polite permission):
Example: Could I leave early today? (A more polite request)
Possibility:
Can (general possibility):
Example: It can be dangerous to swim here. (Generally, it is dangerous sometimes)
Could (a possible event):
Example: It could rain later. (Less certain than "can")
2. May / Might
Expresses permission or possibility, but may is more formal.
Uses;
Permission (formal):
May:
Example: May I use your phone? (Formal permission)
Possibility:
May (formal possibility):
Example: They may come to the party. (It’s possible)
Might (less certain):
Example: He might win the race. (We are less sure)
Difference between May and Might:
May suggests a stronger chance or more likelihood, while might implies a more remote
possibility.
Example:
She may pass the exam. (It’s likely she will)
She might pass the exam. (It’s possible, but less certain)
3. Must
Expresses strong necessity, obligation, or certainty.
Uses:
Obligation:
Must (strong obligation):
Example: You must wear a helmet while riding a bike. (It’s necessary)
Deduction (certainty about a situation):
Must (logical conclusion):
Example: She must be the manager; everyone is listening to her. (We are sure she is the
manager based on evidence)
Note:
Must is very strong and indicates something that is necessary or that we are certain about.
4. Shall / Should
Expresses intention, advice, suggestion, or expectation.
Uses:
Future Intention:
Shall (used with "I" or "we" for formal offers or suggestions, common in British English):
Example: Shall we go for a walk? (A suggestion)
Advice:
Should (to give advice or recommendations):
Example: You should eat more vegetables. (Advice to do something)
Expectation:
Should (to express what is expected or likely):
Example: The movie should start at 8 PM. (We expect it to start then)
Difference between Shall and Should:
Shall is mostly used in formal contexts or with offers and suggestions, while should is used to
give advice or to indicate expectations.
5. Will / Would
Will expresses certainty or future action, while would is more hypothetical or polite.
Uses:
Future Intentions:
Will (for future actions or promises):
Example: I will help you with your project tomorrow. (A future action)
Conditional:
Would (for hypothetical situations, often in conditionals):
Example: If I had time, I would travel more. (A hypothetical situation, but it’s not real)
Polite Requests:
Would (to ask politely):
Example: Would you like some coffee? (A polite offer)
Difference between Will and Would:
Will is definite and refers to the future, while would is used for imagined, hypothetical, or
polite situations.
Example:
I will call you tomorrow. (Certain future action)
I would call you, but I don’t have your number. (Hypothetical)
Practice : Modals
26 can, could and (be) able to
27 could (do) and could have (done)
28 must and can’t
29 may and might 1
30 may and might 2
31 have to and must
32 must mustn’t needn’t
33 should 1
34 should 2
35 I’d better ... it’s time ...
36 would
37 can/could/would you ... ? etc. (Requests, offers, permission and invitations)
