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Can/could/be Able Are Used To Show A Lot of Different Ideas in English

Auxiliary verbs are used with the main verb to show tense, form negatives, or ask questions. Common auxiliary verbs are have, be, and do. Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb used to show ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. Examples of modal verbs are can, may, shall, must, and will. Each modal verb has multiple uses including showing ability, permission, possibility, necessity, lack of necessity, and making suggestions.

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19 views

Can/could/be Able Are Used To Show A Lot of Different Ideas in English

Auxiliary verbs are used with the main verb to show tense, form negatives, or ask questions. Common auxiliary verbs are have, be, and do. Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb used to show ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. Examples of modal verbs are can, may, shall, must, and will. Each modal verb has multiple uses including showing ability, permission, possibility, necessity, lack of necessity, and making suggestions.

Uploaded by

Lisa Nassar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What are auxiliary verbs?

Auxiliary (or Helping) verbs are used with the main verb to show the verbs tense or to form a negative or
questions. The most common auxiliary verbs are: have, be, and do.

e.g. Does Sam write all his own reports?

I haven’t done all my homework yet.

Terry is writing an email to a client at the moment.

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb. They are used to show ability, possibility, permission, or
obligation.

Examples of modals:

1. Can/could/be able to
2. May/might
3. Shall/should
4. Must/have to
5. Will/would

Can/could/be able are used to show a lot of different ideas in English.

1. To show ability or lack of ability

e.g. Tom can write poetry very well.

Heather is able to solve complicated math problems.

Someone will be able to help you in a few minutes.

When I was a child I could climb trees.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to see her today.

2. Possibility/Impossibility
e.g. You can catch that train at 10:43.
He can’t see you right now. He’s in a meeting.
I could try to come home early so we can be on time.

3. Ask permission/give permission


e.g. Can you lend me some money? (informal)
You can borrow some money.
Could you make me an egg please? (polite)
4. Make a suggestion
e.g. You could take a tour of the castle tomorrow.

May/Might are used to show a lot of different ideas in English.

1. Formal permission/ formal prohibition


e.g. You may start your exam now.
You may not wear sandals to work.

2. Polite request
e.g. May I help you?

3. Possibility/negative possibility
e.g. We may go out for dinner tonight. Do you want to join us?
Our company might not renew contracts this year.

4. Make a suggestion (when there is no better alternative)


e.g. You might as well take Friday off. There’s no work to be done anyway.
You may as well come inside. He’ll be home soon.

5. Polite suggestion
e.g. You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our special today.

Shall, should, ought to are used to show a lot of different ideas in English.

1. To offer assistance or polite suggestion (when you are quite sure of a positive answer)
e.g. Shall we go for a walk?
*Shall is only used with I or we. Used instead of will only in formal English.

2. To offer assistance or polite suggestion (when you are not sure of a positive answer)
e.g. Should I call a doctor?

3. A prediction or expectation that something will happen.


e.g. I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on time.
The proposal should be finished on time.

4. To give advice
e.g. You should check your work before you send it.
You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.

5. To give advice (about something you think wrong or unacceptable)


e.g. James shouldn’t teach him words like that!
Must, have to, need to, don’t have to, needn’t are used to show a lot of different ideas in English.

1. Necessity or requirement
e.g. You must have a passport to cross the border.
I need to drop by the library and pick up a book.
*Need to and have to are often used in the same context but need to is often used to express
something less urgent.

2. Almost 100% certain


e.g. You have lived here for a very long time. Your Arabic must be very good.

3. To persuade
e.g. You must try this dish. It’s amazing.
You have to visit us while you’re in the country.

4. Prohibited or forbidden
e.g. You must not drive over the speed limit.
You mustn’t leave medicine in the reach of children.

5. Lack of necessity

e.g. You don’t have to park the car there. The valet will do it for you.

Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a holiday.

You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

Will/would are used to show a lot of different ideas in English.

1. Polite request or statement


e.g. Will you please take out the trash?
Would you mind if I sat here?
I would like to sign up for the workshop.

2. Habitual past action


e.g. When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my dolls.
Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.

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