Modal Verbs


Modal Verbs

 

 

Modal verbs are the verbs that are used to express ability, obligation, likelihood and possibility.

    Can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would are the modal verbs.


 Can

The modal verb can is used to:

•        Express ability; we use can if we are physically able to do something or know how to do something;

s   Elephants can pull heavy logs.

s   Cats can climb a tree.

•        Express possibility;

s   It can get cold there at night so take a jacket.

s   I know you can win the competition.

 •        To offer to do something for others;

s   I can drop you off at the station if you like.

s   Can I carry your bags for you?

 •        To ask for or give permission;

s   You can use my telephone to make the call.

s   Can I stay with you please?

 •        To request something;

s   Can you lend me some money?

s   Can I use your bathroom?

Could

Could is the past form of can and often replaces can in the past tense. Could is used to:

•        Express ability in the past;

s   I could pull a cart when I was very young.

s   She could swim across the river when she was only eight years old.

•        Ask for permission or to request something;

s   Could I please use your handkerchief?

s   Could we proceed with the meeting, please?

•        Give suggestions when asked;

s   You could apply for a new job.

s   We could go for the picnic if everyone is interested.

•        Express a possibility in the past that did not happen (Could + have + past participle);

s   We were happy because the flood could have destroyed our home but it didn't.

s   It was not good for play stunt. You could have broken your leg.

•        Express unrealized past ability: This is used to say that someone was able to do something, but he/she did not try to do it;

s   You could have informed me earlier about this matter, but you did not.

s   Why did you sit there doing nothing? You could have helped me 

•       Conditional Sentences


         s  If I got that promotion, I could finally afford a new car.


         s  If I got two - days leave , I could go to the hills.


•      Possibility and likelihood


          s  It seems it could rain any minutes.


           s  She could win this competition


•     Making offers


          s Could I give you a hand with dinner?


          s Could I give you a ride home? 


May 

May is used to to:

•   Granting  permission;

s   You may play in the garden once you have finished your work.

s   You may watch television for an hour.

 •   Asking permission;

s   May I use your phone to make a call?

s   May I borrow your pen?

•    Making Polite Offer 

s   May I join you to complete this task

s   May I help you carry these books

•    To express possibility; 

        s  She may come today.

        s   It might rain tomorrow.   

•      Express wishes;

s   May you live a long and prosperous life!

s   May the God be with you!

 •        Indicate about past actions (May + have + past participle);

s   She has not come today. She may have missed her bus.

s   I heard a strange sound. It may have been a dog cat in the kitchen. 


Might 


Might is used to to:

•   Expressing Possibility 

s   I am hoping that she might call me later.


s     You should pack an umbrella, it looks like it might rain. 


•   Politely asking permission

s     Might we go to the part this afternoon, Mom?


s     Might I ask you few questions? 


•    In Conditional Sentences


s      If you jumped from that height, you might get hurt.


s      If you worked hard, you might pass the exam.


•   Making Suggestions


s     You might try rebooting the computer, that should fix the problem for you. 


s     It tastes very good, though you might add a bit more salt. 


Shall

Shall is used to:

•        Make suggestions;

s   Shall I bring a cup of tea for you?

s   Shall we arrange a party tonight?

•        Volunteering to do something;

s   I shall wait for you till you come.

s   You seem to be hungry. I shall cook something for you.

•        Giving/asking instructions;

s   When shall I come to meet you?

s   We shall meet at the office at 10 a.m.

 •        Make promises;

s   I shall help you at any cost.

s   You shall have what you deserve.

•        Issuing Order

s   You shall not go out until you finish your work.

s   He shall complete the work by two o’clock.

•        Express a general statement

s   I shall buy a car next month.

s   We shall start our journey by tomorrow.

Should

Should is used to:

•        Give advice or a suggestion;

s   You should respect your parents and teachers.

s   Your nails are too long. You should trim them.

•        Express that a situation is likely in the present;

s   Neeraj left the office early. He should be at home by now.

s   Manan promised to reach the stadium on time. He should be there now

•        Express a situation that is likely to happen in the future;

s   The chief guest should arrive any time now.

s   My uncle sent me a gift yesterday, so it should arrive this week.

•        Express a weak obligation;

s   The guest should reach the venue by 8 p.m.

s   Passengers should board the train five minutes before the departure time.

•        Express an action that was expected in the past, but didn't happen;

s   You should have finished this work by yesterday.

s   I should have practised more to win the match.

 

Will

Will is used to:

•        Express actions that we decide to do in the future;

s   I will visit my parents next week.

s   He will play cricket tomorrow.

•        Express actions that we decide to do now;

s   I will pay the bill.

s   It is cold today. I will put on my blazer.

•        Make future predictions ;

s   She will win the match for she has all the potential needed for it.

s   The share market will boom in the coming days.

•            Make an offer, a promise or a threat;

s   I will lend you money whenever you need it.

s   I will throw you out if you trouble me.

•        Indicate habit or a predictable behaviour;

s   He will never follow what he has been told.

s   He will get angry if you speak anything against him.

 Would

The modal verb would is used to:

•        Make polite invitation or offer;

s   Would you like to have a cup of tea?

s   Would you like to come to the cinema with me?

•        Describe hypothetical situations;

s   It would be nice to have a barbecue.

s   Nobody would believe me if I told them I had seen a UFO.

•        To describe past habits

s   When I was at the hostel, I would go for a morning walk.

s   Every Saturday, I would play cricket.

•        Express indirect speech.

s   He said that he would finish his work next month.

s   She promised that she would give me a shirt.

 Must

Must is used to:

•        Express obligation or duty;

s   You must wear a helmet while riding your bike.

s   You must obey the rules of the traffic.

•        Emphasize that something is necessary;

s   You must work hard to succeed.

s   We must eat nutritious food to keep ourselves healthy.

•            Show that something is true;

s   There is a knock at the door. It must be Ram. 

s   She left the office early. She must be at home.

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