Could

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also
commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
Examples:
Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can
also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
Might I borrow your pen? request
Should
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as
well as expectation.
Examples:
When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation
Would
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb "will."
Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past. For more information on the grammar behind the modal verb
"would," visit the following tutorials: Conditional Tutorial, Future in the Past, and Would Always.
Examples:
If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. conditional
I knew that she would be very successful in her career. past of "will"
When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach. repetition

Task 1: Choose the correct answer for each gap below. (could, might, should, and would)
1.
Donna: If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I could afford to quit my job and travel the world.

Sam: Where would you go if you had that much money?

Donna: I don't know, I might choose to spend a year in Paris - or perhaps I might go to Kenya.

Sam: How often do you buy lottery tickets?

Donna: Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, I should try buying some tickets.

Sam: That might help.

2.
Waitress: Hi, my name is Sandy - I'll be your waitress tonight. What can I get for you?

Tony: I haven't decided yet. Is there anything you would recommend? Is there anything you think I should try?

Waitress: You could try the Cajun catfish - or perhaps the Gumbo. They're both delicious.

Tony: That sounds wonderful, but that might be a little too spicy for me. Actually, the prawns sound good. Umm, could I
have the barbecued prawns?

Waitress: Sure, would you like a salad with that?

3.
Jan: What should we look for in a candidate when we vote in a presidential election?

Peter: I think citizens should vote for a President who has the ability to improve the quality of life in the United States.

Jan: What would you do if you were President of the United States?

Peter: I would focus on reducing environmental pollution.

Jan: Every candidate always says he's going to do that, but it's a really complicated problem - it's not one which is easily
solved. What makes you think youcould actually stop pollution?

"Might not" vs. "Could not"

"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to
happen.
Examples:
Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
Task 2: Choose the correct answer for each gap below.

1. Unfortunately, James and Michelle had already made plans, so they couldn't come with us to the exhibition at the
Museum of Contemporary Art.

2. They have had several major snow storms in the mountains during the last month. We had better call the highway
patrol to check road conditions. The road to Smithsville might not be passable.

3. We should call Tim before we go over to his house; he might not be there. I don't want to drive all the way there for
nothing.

4. In order to win the pie eating contest, Norman would have to eat sixteen pies in ten minutes. He couldn't possibly eat
that many pies - he would explode!

5. I know Eve wants to go to the ballet with us, but we'd better call her before we get her ticket. She works Wednesday
nights, and she might not be able to get time off that evening.

6. Susan couldn't hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly.

7. It might not be a bad idea to take some snacks along while we're hiking. Last time, we got so hungry we had to come
back early without finishing the hike.

8. Jerry might be angry, or he might not. You never really know with him because he's so temperamental.

9. Jerry couldn't be angry at me. I've never done anything to upset him.

10. The lamp might not be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.

11. When you were a child, you could swim from here to the little island in the middle of the river, couldn't you? At least,
that's what your father told me.

12. She couldn't possibly be the winner of the talent show! The other acts were much better than hers.

13. Frank and Sarah couldn't get tickets to the concert. The concert was sold out a little over an hour after tickets went on
sale.

14. I heard that band is really popular, and tickets sell out quickly. You might not get tickets if you wait too long.

15. That concert has been sold out for weeks. You couldn't get tickets even if you knew the band personally. It's
impossible!

16. It might not be a bad idea to get a car alarm for your new sports car. New cars tend to attract thieves.

17. That couldn't possibly be Mr. Jones. He's lost so much weight that he looks like a completely different person.

18. You couldn't do the job if you didn't speak Arabic fluently.

19. Jane and Bill might not have gotten the invitation to the party. Perhaps, that's why they didn't show up. I doubt they
would actually skip your birthday party - they're your best friends!
20. I couldn't have left my keys at Simon's house. I wouldn't have been able to drive home if I had done that. They must
be somewhere here in the apartment. Let's keep looking.

Modal Verb Exercises

Task 1: Choose the correct answer for each gap below.

Donna: If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I (might, could) afford to quit my job and travel the world.

Sam: Where (would, should) you go if you had that much money?

Donna: I don't know, I (would, might) choose to spend a year in Paris - or perhaps I (would, might) go to
Kenya.

Sam: How often do you buy lottery tickets?

Donna: Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, I (could, should) try buying some tickets.

Sam: That (should, might) help.

Task 2: Choose the correct answer for each gap below.

1. Unfortunately, James and Michelle had already made plans, so they (couldn't, might not) come with us to
the exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

2. They have had several major snow storms in the mountains during the last month. We had better call the
highway patrol to check road conditions. The road to Smithsville (couldn't, might not) be passable.

3. We should call Tim before we go over to his house; he (couldn't, might not) be there. I don't want to drive
all the way there for nothing.

4. In order to win the pie eating contest, Norman would have to eat sixteen pies in ten minutes. He (couldn't,
might not) possibly eat that many pies - he would explode!

5. I know Eve wants to go to the ballet with us, but we'd better call her before we get her ticket. She works
Wednesday nights, and she (couldn't, might not) be able to get time off that evening.

6. Susan (couldn't, might not) hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly.

7. It (couldn't, might not) be a bad idea to take some snacks along while we're hiking. Last time, we got so
hungry we had to come back early without finishing the hike.

8. Jerry might be angry, or he (couldn't, might not). You never really know with him because he's so
temperamental.

9. Jerry (couldn't, might not) be angry at me. I've never done anything to upset him.

10. The lamp (couldn't, might not) be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.