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Modals to express advice: SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER

o Modals to express assumption: WILL, SHOULD, OUGHT TO
o Modals to express criticism: CAN, COULD, MIGHT, SHOULD
o The semi-modal DARE
o Modals to express deduction: MUST, CAN'T, COULDN'T
o Modals to express habits: WILL, WOULD, USED TO
o Modals to express intentions: BE GOING TO, WILL
Modals to express necessity / obligation: MUST, HAVE (GOT) TO, NEED, SHOULD, OUGHT TO, SHALL
o Modals to express offers: CAN, COULD, WILL, SHALL, MAY
o Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T, BE
TO
o Modals to express possibility: MAY, MIGHT, CAN, COULD
o Modals to express predictions: BE GOING TO, WILL
o Modals to express requests: CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD
o Modals to express suggestions: SHOULD, COULD, MIGHT, SHALL
o The modal SHOULD to express surprise
o The modal WOULD to express unreal situations
o Modals to express willingness / unwillingness: WILL, WOULD
Modals to express ability: CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO

Modals in the second conditional
Tags:
ability

conditionals

modals

permission

possibility

request

BE TO

COULD

MIGHT

WOULD
Main clause
We can use modals other than would in the main clause of a sentence in the second conditional:
If no one was late, we could start the meeting on time. (ability)
If you asked George, he might be able to help you. (possibility)
If-clause
We can use could in the if-clause to express ability, possibility or permission:
I'd go to the beach with you if I could swim. (ability)
If you could be a famous person, who would you be? (possibility)
I wouldn't go to bars if people could smoke inside. (permission)
Were to in the if-clause makes the condition even less likely:
If he were to propose to you now, what would you say?
We can use would in the if-clause to express requests. Sometimes, the main clause is omitted:
If you'd just fill in this form, please.
Modals in the third conditional
Tags:
ability

conditionals

modals

possibility

BE TO

COULD

MIGHT
Main clause
We can use modals other than would in the main clause of a sentence in the third conditional:
If I had had the right tools, I could have fixed my bike. (ability)
If the weather had been worse, they might not have reached the top. (possibility)
If-clause
We can use could + perfect infinitive in the if-clause to express ability or possibility:
If he could have got to the station on time, he might have caught the train. (ability)
If I could have known this would happen, I'd never have started dating him. (possibility)
Were to + perfect infinitive is also possible in the if-clause; however, it is less common:
If he were to have asked me, I would have said yes.