Identify the modal verb and modality in the following sentences.

1. It's snowing, so it must be very cold

outside.
2. She can speak six languages
3. We must wear a uniform at work.
4. May I speak to the principal?
5. You must not use your cellphone at the
church.
6. I might stop smoking.
7. You might consider my business proposal.
8. Could I pass the entrance exam?
9. The team is playing really well today; they must
win.
10. Smoking can cause cancer.

MODALS
Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
1. Permission
2. Ability
 3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability

Must
a. Strong obligation
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
b. logical conclusion/Certainty
 He must be very tired. He's been working all day long.

Must not
a. prohibition
You must not smoke in the hospital.

Can
a. Ability I can run fast.
b. Permission Can I use your phone please?
c. Theoretical Possibility Smoking can cause cancer.

Could
a. ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.
b. polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?
c. Possibility It could rain tomorrow!

May
a. Permission May I use your phone please?
b. possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!
Might
a. polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
b. possibility, probability
I might go on holiday to Australia next year.

should/would/ought to
50 % obligation
I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
Advice
 You should / ought to revise your lessons
logical conclusion
He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long.

Will
a. Strong Determination We will finish this project tonight.

Shall
a. Promise I shall return.
NOTE!!!
 We use a modal verb before a second verb.
 Modal verbs are not followed by to.
 modal verbs can have more than one meaning and function.