MODAL VERBS
All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike
other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot
act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also
serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are:CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD /
OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD
!Note The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.
MODAL VERBS
Can, Could, Be able to
Can
Can is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use can to:
talk about possibility and ability
make requests
ask for or give permission
Structure of Can
subject + can + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").
subject
auxiliary verb
main verb
can
play
tennis.
He
cannot
play
tennis.
play
tennis?
can't
?
Can
you
MODAL VERBS
Use of Can
Can: Possibility and Ability
We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able or free to do:
She can drive a car.
John can speak Spanish.
I cannot hear you. (I can't hear you.)
Can you hear me?
MODAL VERBS
Normally, we use can for the present. But it is possible to use can when
we make present decisions about future ability.
A: Can you help me with my homework? (present)
B: Sorry. I'm busy today. But I can help you tomorrow. (future)
Can: Requests and Orders
We often use can in a question to ask somebody to do something. This is
not a real question - we do not really want to know if the person is able to
do something, we want them to do it! The use of can in this way is
informal (mainly between friends and family):
Can you make a cup of coffee, please?
Can you put the TV on?
Can you come here a minute?
Can you be quiet?
MODAL VERBS
Can: Permission
We sometimes use can to ask or give permission for something:
Can I smoke in this room?
You can't smoke here, but you can smoke in the garden.
(Note that we also use could, may, might for permission. The use of can for
permission is informal.)
Could
Could is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use could to:
talk about past possibility or ability
make requests
Structure of Could
MODAL VERBS
subject + could + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").
subject
auxiliary verb
main verb
My grandmother
could
swim.
She
could not
walk.
couldn't
?
Could
your
grandmother
swim?
MODAL VERBS
Use of Could
Could: Past Possibility or Ability
We use could to talk about what was possible in the past, what we were able
or free to do:
I could swim when I was 5 years old.
My grandmother could speak seven languages.
When we arrived home, we could not open the door. (...couldn't
open the door.)
Could you understand what he was saying?
We use could (positive) and couldn't (negative) for general ability in the
past. But when we talk about one special occasion in the past, we use be
able to (positive) and couldn't (negative).
Look at these examples:
MODAL VERBS
Past
+
-
General
Specific Occasion
My grandmother could
speak Spanish.
A man fell into the river yesterday. The
police were able to save him.
My grandmother couldn't A man fell into the river yesterday. The
speak Spanish.
police couldn't save him.
Could: Requests
We often use could in a question to ask somebody to do something. The
use of could in this way is fairly polite (formal):
Could you tell me where the bank is, please?
Could you send me a catalogue, please?
MODAL VERBS
Be able to
Although we look at be able to here, it is not a modal verb. It is simply the
verb be plus an adjective (able) followed by the infinitive. We look at be
able to here because we sometimes use it instead of can and could.
We use be able to:
to talk about ability
Structure of Be able to
The structure of be able to is: subject + be + able + infinitive
subject
be
main verb
able
adjective
infinitive
am
able
to drive.
She
is not
able
to drive.
able
to drive?
isn't
?
Are
you
MODAL VERBS
Notice that be able to is possible in all tenses, for example:
I was able to drive...
I will be able to drive...
I have been able to drive...
Notice too that be able to has an infinitive form:
I would like to be able to speak Chinese.
Use of Be able to
Be able to: ability
We use be able to to express ability. "Able" is an adjective meaning:
having the power, skill or means to do something. If we say "I am able
to swim", it is like saying "I can swim". We sometimes use "be able to"
instead of "can" or "could" for ability.
MODAL VERBS
"Be able to" is possible in all tenses - but "can" is possible only in the
present and "could" is possible only in the past for ability. In addition,
"can" and "could" have no infinitive form. So we use "be able to" when we
want to use other tenses or the infinitive.
Look at these examples:
I have been able to swim since I was five. (present perfect)
You will be able to speak perfect English very soon. (future simple)
I would like to be able to fly an airplane. (infinitive)
Exercises (SENTENCES).
Could he understand what you were talking about?
I could walk when I was less than a year old.
Could you tell me what time it is, please?
My grandfather was able to walk without any help last night
I would like to be able to play the piano.
How long have you been able to drive?
MODAL VERBS
Have to, Must, Must not / Mustn't
Must is a modal auxiliary verb.
Have to is NOT an auxiliary verb (it uses the verb have as a main verb). We
include have to here for convenience.
Have to (objective obligation)
We often use have to to say that something is obligatory, for example:
Children have to go to school.
Structure of Have to
Have to is often grouped with modal auxiliary verbs for convenience, but
in fact it is not a modal verb. It is not even an auxiliary verb. In the have to
structure, "have" is a main verb.
MODAL VERBS
The structure is:
subject + auxiliary verb + have + infinitive (with to)
Look at these examples in the simple tense:
subject
auxiliary
verb
main verb
have
infinitive
(with to)
has
to work.
She
do not
have
to see
the doctor.
Did
you
have
to go
to school?
MODAL VERBS
Use of Have to
In general, have to expresses impersonal obligation. The subject of have to
is obliged or forced to act by a separate, external power (for example, the Law
or school rules). Have to is objective. Look at these examples:
In France, you have to drive on the right.
In England, most schoolchildren have to wear a uniform.
John has to wear a tie at work.
In each of the above cases, the obligation is not the subject's opinion or idea.
The obligation is imposed from outside.
We can use have to in all tenses, and also with modal auxiliaries. We
conjugate it just like any other main verb. Here are some examples:
subject
auxiliary main verb
verb
have
infinitive
past simple
had
to work
yesterday.
present simple
have
to work
today.
MODAL VERBS
subject
auxiliary
verb
main verb
have
infinitive
future simple
will
have
to work
present
continuous
She
is
having
to wait.
present
perfect
We
have
had
to change
the time.
modal (may)
They
may
have
to do
it again.
tomorrow.
Must (subjective obligation)
We often use must to say that something is essential or necessary, for
example:
I must go.
MODAL VERBS
Structure of Must
Must is a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by a main verb.
The structure is:
subject + must + main verb
The main verb is the base verb (infinitive without "to").
Look at these examples:
subject
auxiliary must
main verb
must
go
home.
You
must
visit
us.
We
must
stop
now.
Use of Must
MODAL VERBS
In general, must expresses personal obligation. Must expresses what the
speaker thinks is necessary. Must is subjective. Look at these examples:
I must stop smoking.
You must visit us soon.
He must work harder.
In each of the above cases, the "obligation" is the opinion or idea of the
person speaking. In fact, it is not a real obligation. It is not imposed from
outside. It is sometimes possible to use must for real obligation, for
example a rule or a law. But generally we use have to for this.
We can use must to talk about the present or the future. Look at these
examples:
I must go now. (present)
I must call my mother tomorrow. (future)
We cannot use must to talk about the past. We use have to to talk about
the past.
MODAL VERBS
Must not, Mustn't (prohibition)
We use must not to say that something is not permitted or allowed, for
example:
Passengers must not talk to the driver.
Structure of Must not
Must is an auxiliary verb. It is followed by a main verb. The structure
for must not is:
subject + must not + main verb
The main verb is the base verb (infinitive without "to").
Look at these examples:
auxiliary must +
subject
not
main verb
mustn't
forget
my keys.
You
mustn't
disturb
him.
Students
must not
be
late.
MODAL VERBS
Use of Must not
Must not expresses prohibition - something that is not permitted, not
allowed. The prohibition can be subjective (the speaker's opinion) or
objective (a real law or rule). Look at these examples:
I mustn't eat so much sugar. (subjective)
You mustn't watch so much television. (subjective)
Students must not leave bicycles here. (objective)
Policemen must not drink on duty. (objective)
We can use must not to talk about the present or the future:
Visitors must not smoke. (present)
I mustn't forget Tara's birthday. (future)
MODAL VERBS
We cannot use must not to talk about the past. We use other structures to
talk about the past, for example:
We were not allowed to enter.
I couldn't park outside the shop.
Exercises (Sentences)
Yesterday I had to finish my Geography project.
She will have to wait in line like everyone else.
All employees must be on time for work.
We mustnt forget to take the chicken out of the freezer.
If you are under 13 you have to get your parents' permission.
Your daughter may have to try on a few different sizes.
The doctor must get here as soon as he can.
Do you have to work next weekend?
MODAL VERBS
Shall versus Will | Should versus Would
Shall versus Will
People may sometimes tell you that there is no difference between shall and
will, or even that today nobody uses shall (except in offers such as "Shall I
call a taxi?"). This is not really true. The difference between shall and will
is often hidden by the fact that we usually contract them in speaking with 'll.
But the difference does exist.
The truth is that there are two conjugations for the verb will:
1st Conjugation (objective, simple statement of fact)
Singular
Person
Verb
Example
Contraction
shall
I shall be in tomorrow.
I'll
you
will
You will see a large
building on the left.
You'll
he, she, it
will
He will be wearing blue.
He'll
MODAL VERBS
1st Conjugation (objective, simple statement of fact)
Plural
Person
Verb
Example
Contraction
we
shall
We shall not be there
when you arrive.
We shan't
you
will
You will find his office
on the 7th floor.
You'll
they
will
They will arrive late.
They'll
2nd Conjugation (subjective, strong assertion, promise or command)
Singular
Person
Verb
Example
Contraction
will
I will do everything
possible to help.
I'll
you
shall
You shall be sorry for this.
You'll
he, she, it
shall
It shall be done.
It'll
MODAL VERBS
2nd Conjugation (subjective, strong assertion, promise or command)
Plural
Person
Verb
Example
Contraction
we
will
We will not interfere.
We won't
you
shall
You shall do as you're
told.
You'll
they
shall
They shall give one
month's notice.
They'll
It is true that this difference is not universally recognized. However, let
those who make assertions such as "People in the USA never use 'shall'"
peruse a good US English dictionary, or many US legal documents which
often contain phrases such as:
Each party shall give one month's notice in writing, in the event of
termination.
Note that exactly the same rule applies in the case of should and would. It
is perfectly normal and somewhat more elegant, to write, for example:
I should be grateful if you would kindly send me your latest
catalogue.
Should
MODAL VERBS
Should is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use should mainly
to:
give advice or make recommendations
talk about obligation
talk about probability and expectation
express the conditional mood
replace a subjunctive structure
Structure of Should
subject + should + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").
MODAL VERBS
subject
auxiliary verb
main verb
He
should
go.
He
should not
go.
shouldn't
?
Should
he
Notice that:
Should is invariable. There is only one form of should.
The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
go?
MODAL VERBS
Use of Should
Should: Giving advice, opinions
We often use should when offering advice or opinions (similar to ought to):
TIP: People often say "They should..." Usually, the "they" is anonymous and
means the government, or the company, or somebody else - but not us!
You should see the new James Bond movie. It's great!
You should try to lose weight.
John should get a haircut.
He shouldn't smoke. And he should stop drinking too.
What should I wear?
They should make that illegal.
There should be a law against that.
People should worry more about global warming.
MODAL VERBS
Should: Obligation, duty, correctness
Another use of should (also similar to ought to) is to indicate a kind of
obligation, duty or correctness, often when criticizing another person:
You should be wearing your seat belt. (obligation)
I should be at work now. (duty)
You shouldn't have said that to her. (correctness)
He should have been more careful.
Should you be driving so fast?
Should: Probability, expectation
We use should to indicate that we think something is probable (we expect it
to happen):
Are you ready? The train should be here soon.
$10 is enough. It shouldn't cost more than that.
Let's call Mary. She should have finished work by now.
MODAL VERBS
Should: Conditionals
We sometimes use should (instead of would) for the first person singular
(I) and first person plural (we) of some conditionals:
If I lost my job I should have no money.
(If he lost his job he would have no money.)
We should be grateful if you could send us your latest catalogue.
Should: (If I were you I should...)
We often use the conditional structure "If I were you I should..." to give
advice.
If I were you, I should complain to the manager.
If I were you, I shouldn't worry about it.
I shouldn't say anything if I were you.
MODAL VERBS
Should: Pseudo subjunctive
We often use a special verb form called the subjunctive when talking about
events that somebody wants to happen, hopes will happen or imagines
happening, for example:
The president insists that the prime minister attend the meeting.
However, this is much more common in American English. British
English speakers would probably convey the same idea using should:
The president insists that the prime minister should attend the
meeting.
MODAL VERBS
Here are some more examples:
Subjunctive
typically American English
Using should
typically British English
The president is insisting that
pollution be reduced.
The president is insisting that pollution
should be reduced.
The manager recommended that Mary
join the company.
The manager recommended that Mary
should join the company.
It is essential that we decide today.
It is essential that we should decide today.
It was necessary that everyone arrive
on time.
It was necessary that everyone should
arrive on time.
MODAL VERBS
Should: Why should..? | How should..?
If we don't understand (or agree with) something, we may use "Why
should..?":
Why should it be illegal to commit suicide? It's your life.
"Why should..?" and "How should..?" can also indicate anger or irritation:
"Help me with this." | "Why should I?"
"Where are my keys?" | "How should I know?"
EXERCISES (SENTENCES)
People should understand that the world has changed. (Understanding,
understand, to understand)
Those children should be at school. (They should, should to, should)
If I were you I shouldnt complain. (Shouldnt, should not to, should to not)
Get me a drink | Why Should I? Get your own! (How should, Why should,
Shouldnt)
MODAL VERBS
Would
Would is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use would mainly
to:
talk about the past
talk about the future in the past
express the conditional mood
We also use would for other functions, such as:
Expressing desire, polite requests and questions, opinion or hope,
wish and regret...
Structure of Would
subject + would + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").
MODAL VERBS
+
subject
auxiliary verb
main verb
She
would
like
tea.
like
whisky.
like
coffee?
'd
-
She
would not
wouldn't
Would
she
Notice that:
Would is never conjugated. It is always would or 'd (short form).
The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
Be careful! Would and had have the same short form 'd:
He'd finished. (He had finished.)
He'd like coffee. (He would like coffee.)
Use of Would
MODAL VERBS
Would: Talking about the past
We often use would as a kind of past tense of will or going to:
Even as a boy, he knew that he would succeed in life.
I thought it would rain so I brought my umbrella.
Using would as a kind of past tense of will or going to is common in
reported speech:
She said that she would buy some eggs. ("I will buy some eggs.")
The candidate said that he wouldn't increase taxes. ("I won't
increase taxes.")
Why didn't you bring your umbrella? I told you it would rain! ("It's
going to rain.")
We often use would not to talk about past refusals:
He wanted a divorce but his wife would not agree.
Yesterday morning, the car wouldn't start.
MODAL VERBS
We sometimes use would (rather like used to) when talking about habitual past
behavior:
Every weekday my father would come home from work at 6pm and
watch TV.
Every summer we'd go to the seaside.
Sometimes she'd phone me in the middle of the night.
We would always argue. We could never agree.
Would: Future in past
When talking about the past we can use would to express something that has
not happened at the time we are talking about:
In London she met the man that she would one day marry.
He left 5 minutes late, unaware that the delay would save his life.
MODAL VERBS
Would: Conditionals
We often use would to express the so-called second and third
conditionals:
If he lost his job he would have no money.
If I had won the lottery I would have bought a car.
Using the same conditional structure, we often use would when giving
advice:
I wouldn't eat that if I were you.
If I were in your place I'd refuse.
Would: Desire or inclination
I'd love to live here.
Would you like some coffee?
What I'd really like is some tea.
MODAL VERBS
Would: Polite requests and questions
Would you open the door, please? (more polite than: Open the door,
please.)
Would you go with me? (more polite than: Will you go with me?)
Would you know the answer? (more polite than: Do you know the
answer?)
What would the capital of Nigeria be? (more polite than: What is the
capital of Nigeria?)
Would: Opinion or hope
I would imagine that they'll buy a new one.
I suppose some people would call it torture.
I would have to agree.
I would expect him to come.
Since you ask me I'd say the blue one is best.
Would: Wish
MODAL VERBS
I wish you would stay. (I really want you to stay. I hope you will stay.)
They don't like me. I'm sure they wish I'd resign.
Would: Presumption or expectation
That would be Jo calling. I'll answer it.
We saw a police helicopter overhead yesterday morning. | Really?
They would have been looking for those bank robbers.
Would: Uncertainty
He would seem to be getting better. (less certain than: He seems to be
getting better.)
It would appear that I was wrong. (less certain than: It appears that I
was wrong.)
MODAL VERBS
Would: Derogatory
They would say that, wouldn't they?
John said he didn't steal the money. | Well, he would, wouldn't he?
EXERCISES (SENTENCES)
I knew he would be famous one day. (To be, be, will).
He said that hed help me. (Hed, he would to, he woulded).
I asked him to walk faster but he wouldnt. (Would, wouldnt, d)
As children we would play together every day. (Playing, play, to play)
Nobody knew that one day he would be rich. (Will, would, would to)
If you asked me, Id say you were crazy. (Would I, Id, Id would)
Would you like to go? (To like, like, liked)
Do you think he'd help? | I'm sure he would. (He help, hed, he would)
He would seem to be improving. (Seems, seem, seemd)
MODAL VERBS
Modal
May
Example
Uses
May I have another cup of coffee?
Asking for permission
China may become a major economic
power.
Future possibility
David may invite Jessica to the match.
Might
Possibility of being
true
We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be
eating their dinner now.
Present possibility
They might give us a 10% discount.
Future possibility
She might come this evening
Strong possibility
May
MODAL VERBS
May is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use may mainly to:
ask for permission / polite requests
suggest something is possible
express future possibility
We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal
and not used very often in modern spoken English
May I borrow your pen?
May we think about it?
May I go now?
We use 'may' to suggest something is possible
It may rain later today.
I may not have time to do it today.
Pete may come with us
MODAL VERBS
In informal English, can is often used with the meaning to be allowed to.
e.g.
He says I can take the day off.
Can I have some more soup?
However, in formal English, it is considered more correct to use the
auxiliary may in such situations., for example:
He says I may take the day off.
May I have some more soup?
Might
Might is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use might mainly to:
express present and future possibility
ask for permission / polite requests
talk about past possibility
MODAL VERBS
Might
We use 'might' to suggest a possibility of something. Often we read that
'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little
difference and 'might is more usual than 'may' in spoken English.
She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.
It might rain this afternoon.
I might not have time to go to the shops for you.
I might not go.
For the past, we use 'might have'.
He might have tried to call while I was out.
I might have dropped it in the street.
MODAL VERBS
Like could and would, might can be used in polite requests and
suggestions. The auxiliaries could, would and might can be used to
express differing degrees of politeness:
Degree of Politeness
Auxiliary
Some what polite
could
Quite polite
would
Very polite
might
Thus, might expresses the highest degree of politeness.
e.g.
Might I observe what you are doing?
Might I offer some advice?
May, might and must are also used to express differing degrees of
probability:
Degree of Probability
somewhat probable
highly probable
Auxiliary
may, might
must
MODAL VERBS
For instance, may and might are often used in the Simple conjugation to
express the idea that an event is somewhat probable. For example:
You might be right.
It may snow later this afternoon.
Similarly, must can be used in the Simple conjugation to express the idea
that an event is highly probable.
e.g.
He must be mistaken.
In the following examples, the Perfect conjugations with may, might and
must are used to express differing degrees of probability relating to past
events.
Rupert might have taken the money, but it seems unlikely.
It is possible he may have called while we were out.
It must have rained last night, because the streets are wet.
MODAL VERBS
