Modal Glossar Modal Use Examples ability to do something in the || can speak three languages. present ( to be able to) permission to do something in| Can | go out? the present (to be allowed to) can request Can you wait a moment, please? | offer can lend you some money if you want to. suggestion Can we visit Grandpa at the weekend? possibility It can get very hot in our area in August. ability to do something in the past | We could travel as often as we wanted. (substitute form: to be able to) Could you wait a moment, please? polite question | could \! could lend you my car till tomorrow. polite request Could we visit Grandma at the weekend? polite suggestion It could rain this afternoon. possibility possibility It may rain today. may ect + asi 2 permission to do something in May | go to the cinema? the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) polite suggestion May | help you? possibility (less possible than may) | It might rain today. might hesitant offer Might | help you?D> odal Glossary q Modal Use Examples necessity | must go shopping. certainty You must be tired. must advice, recommendation You must revise for the exam. must not prohibition You mustn't cheat in exams. You may no bring your pet to school may not not necessary | needn't go to the supermarket, we're ned not going to the restaurant tonight. advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather. ought to obligation You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room. should advice You should to drive carefully in bad weather. | obligation You should to switch off the light when you leave the room. wish, request, demand, order _ | Will you please shut the door? will prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday. promise | will call you tomorrow. a Can somebody dr've me to the airport? - I will. spontaneous decision