English Modal Verbs Table

Modal
Usage Example
verb
I can do several things
ability
at the same time.

can when something is possible Miracles can happen.

permission You can go now.
informal requests Can you come for a minute?
She said she could pay
past form of "can"
for us as well.
Could you move
could polite requests
your bag, please?
It could be that he
possibility
missed the train.
possibility It may rain tomorrow.
may ask or give
May I speak?
permission (formal)
He said he might
past form of "may"
might change his mind.
possibility This might fail.
you have to do it You must obey the law
must it's very logical or They left so early, they
very likely to happen must be home by now.
must not/ you are not
You mustn't smoke in here.
mustn't allowed to do it
future for "I" and "we" I shall see him tomorrow.
shall questions and suggestions for
Let's continue, shall we?
"I" and "we"
 the right thing to do  She should call the police.
- What should I do?
advice - You should stop
thinking about it.
should
what is likely or We should be
expected to happen back by midnight.
future action or states Prices will go up
will (not plans) next summer.
promises and intentions It's alright, I'll pick it up.
past form of "will" He told me he would come.
What would you do
imagined situations
if you were him?
- Would you please sit down?
would - Would you like some tea?
for polite requests, offers and
- We are meeting with Sarah
invitations
next Saturday, would you like
to come along?
to say what you
I would like a piece of cake.
want to do or have
ought to the right thing to do You ought to apologize.
English Modal Verbs – Situations Table
Modal
Situation Example
Verb
requests
may May I sit down?
(formal)
requests
can Can I sit down?
(informal)
requests
could Could I sit down?
(polite)
requests
would Would you mind if I sit down?
(polite)
permission
may You may sit down.
(formal)
permission
can You can sit down.
(informal)
obligation You must tell the
must
(full) police the truth.
obligation You should tell
should
(partial) your friends the truth.
obligation (partial) You ought to tell
ought to
(less common) your friends the truth.
logical conclusions He left an hour ago, so he must
must
(stronger than "should") be there already.
He left half an hour ago,
logical conclusions
should I believe he should
(weaker than "must")
be there already.
possibility
can It can rain sometimes.
(general)
possibility It could rain, but it is
(weaker than could not very common in this
"may" and "might") part of the country.
possibility It's not very cloudy yet,
might
(weaker than "may") but it might rain.
possibility It starts getting cloudy –
may
(stronger than "might") it may rain soon.
future Look at the sky!
will
actions/states/intentions It will rain soon.