MODAL VERBS
1• The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would,
shall, and should.
Can: Expresses ability or possibility (e.g., "I can swim.")
Could: Indicates past ability or a possibility (e.g., "I could swim when I was younger.")
May: Suggests permission or a possibility (e.g., "You may leave early.")
Might: Indicates a weaker possibility (e.g., "It might rain later.")
Must: Indicates necessity or strong obligation (e.g., "You must finish your homework.")
Ought to: Suggests a recommendation (e.g., "You ought to see a doctor.")
Will: Expresses future intention (e.g., "I will call you tomorrow.")
Would: Indicates a hypothetical situation or polite request (e.g., "I would help if I could.")
Shall: Often used in formal contexts for suggestions or offers (e.g., "Shall we dance?")
Should: Indicates advice or a recommendation (e.g., "You should try the new restaurant.")
2• Certain verbs or expressions have virtually the same meaning as some modals. These are:
need (= must), had better (= should), have to/have got to (= must), be able to (= can), used to
(= WOUld), etc. I have got to hurry to catch the bus. (= I must hurry.)
* Need:
"You need to finish your homework."
(Equivalent: "You must finish your homework.")
* Had better:
"You had better call her before she leaves."
(Equivalent: "You should call her before she leaves.")
* Have to / Have got to:
"I have to submit my assignment by Friday."
(Equivalent: "I must submit my assignment by Friday.")
* Be able to:
"I am able to solve this problem."
(Equivalent: "I can solve this problem.")
* Used to:
"I used to go swimming every summer."
(Equivalent: "I would go swimming every summer.")
3. We use modal verbs to express: ability, advice, criticism, logical assumptions, necessity,
offers, obligation/duty, permission, possibility, probability, prohibition, requests or
suggestions
* Ability:
"She can swim very well."
* Advice:
"You should see a dentist if your tooth hurts."
* Criticism:
"You could have called me before coming over."
* Logical Assumptions:
"He must be at home; his car is in the driveway."
* Necessity:
"You must wear a seatbelt while driving."
* Offers:
"Would you like some coffee?"
* Obligation/Duty:
"Students must attend all classes."
* Permission:
"May I leave the room?"
* Possibility:
"It might rain later today."
* Probability:
"She should be back by now."
*Prohibition:
"You must not park here."
*Requests: "Could you please pass me the salt?"
*Suggestions "You should try this new restaurant."
FUNCTIONS OF MODAL VERBS AND
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS
1. Ability
Present: can, is able to
o "She can play the guitar."
Past: could, was able to
o "She could play the guitar when she was younger."
Future: will be able to
o "She will be able to play the guitar next year."
2. Possibility
Present: may, might, could
o "It may rain today."
Past: might have, could have
o "He might have missed the bus."
Future: may, might, could
o "We may go to the park tomorrow."
3. Probability
Present: must, should
o "He must be tired after such a long day."
Past: must have, should have
o "She must have been very happy to hear the news."
Future: will, should
o "The package should arrive tomorrow."
4. Logical Assumption
Present: must, have to
o "She must be at work right now."
Past: must have, had to
o "He must have left early."
Future: will have to
o "You will have to be there on time."
5. Permission
Present: can, may
o "You can go to the party."
Past: could
o "They could borrow my car when I was in town."
Future: will be allowed to, may
o "You will be allowed to enter the concert with a ticket."
6. Necessity
Present: must, have to
o "You must finish your homework."
Past: had to
o "I had to leave early yesterday."
Future: will have to
o "You will have to finish this by tomorrow."
7. Advice
Present: should, ought to
o "You should eat more vegetables."
Past: should have, ought to have
o "You should have called me."
Future: should, ought to
o "You should see a doctor next week."
8. Criticism
Present: should, ought to
o "You should be more careful."
Past: should have, ought to have
o "You should have been more responsible."
9. Obligation
Present: must, have to
o "We must follow the rules."
Past: had to
o "I had to attend the meeting."
Future: will have to, must
o "We will have to submit the report by Friday."
10. Requests
Present: can, could, will, would
o "Can you pass me the salt?"
Past: (No specific past form, but more polite forms use past tense modals)
o "Could you help me?"
Future: can, could, will, would
o "Will you help me tomorrow?"
11. Offers
Present: shall, will
o "Shall I help you?"
Past: (No specific past form; offers are usually in the present or future)
Future: will
o "I will carry your bags."
12. Suggestions
Present: should, could
o "You could try a new approach."
Past: could have, should have
o "You could have asked me for help."
Future: should, could
o "You should consider going to the gym."
13. Prohibition
Present: must not, can't
o "You must not smoke here."
Past: could not, was not allowed to
o "He was not allowed to leave the building."
Future: will not be allowed to, must not
o "You will not be allowed to enter without a pass."
14. Duty
Present: must, ought to
o "You must pay your taxes."
Past: had to
o "I had to take care of my siblings."
Future: will have to
o "You will have to finish the report by Monday."
