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Modal Verbs

The document summarizes the different uses and examples of modal verbs in English including: 1) Can, could, may, might are used to express ability, permission, possibility, offers, requests and polite forms. 2) Must, have to are used to express obligation or certainty. 3) Will, would, shall are used to make predictions, promises, requests and talk about the past. 4) Should, ought to are used to give advice or talk about expectations and polite suggestions.

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104 views2 pages

Modal Verbs

The document summarizes the different uses and examples of modal verbs in English including: 1) Can, could, may, might are used to express ability, permission, possibility, offers, requests and polite forms. 2) Must, have to are used to express obligation or certainty. 3) Will, would, shall are used to make predictions, promises, requests and talk about the past. 4) Should, ought to are used to give advice or talk about expectations and polite suggestions.

Uploaded by

issay iris
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Form

Modal verb + Verb (bare infinitive)


Modal
verbs Usages Examples
Ability I can play the piano very well.
Permission Can I go now?
Possibility It can be a very good day tomorrow.
Offer I can help you with this homework. Don’t worry!
Can Request Can you please pass me the salt?
Ability in the past I could play the piano well when I was 9.
Polite permission Excuse me, could I come in?
Possibility A hailstorm could come here tomorrow.
Polite offer No problem. I could give you a lift.
Could Polite request Could you please move to the next slide?
Permission May I leave early?
May Possibility Astronauts may discover life in other planets.
Polite permission Might I take you home?

Might Possibility I might visit him tomorrow if the weather is nice.


Obligation You must do homework.
He must be at the cinema now. He told me about
Must Certainty that yesterday.
Mustn't Prohibition You mustn’t play here. It’s dangerous.
Prediction The weather forecast predicts that it’ll rain tonight.
Promise I’ll finish all the homework by Friday.
Spontaneous decision I’ll lend you some money.
Will Request/ demand Will you please give me that book?
My dad said that he would  give me some toys on
Used as the past form of “will” my birthday.
Would Polite request/ demand Would  you mind closing the door, please?
Prediction This time tomorrow I shall be in London.
Offer/ suggestion Shall we discuss this further with him?
Modal
verbs Usages Examples

Advice You should see the doctor. It’s swollen.


Prediction/ expectation The project should be done before May.
Should Polite suggestion Should I call her to say sorry?
You ought to say good bye to your parents when
Obligation you leave.
Ought to Advice You ought to sleep early. You look really tired.
Used to talk about something
Needn't not necessary You needn’t give him any advice. He won’t listen.

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