Modal verbs Explanation

Modal Use Examples:

Can Describe ability/capacity I can drive very well.
Give options or alternatives We can go by taxi or bus
Polite requests, permission. Can I use your phone
please?
Be able to Describe ability or capacity She is able to carry out 4
to do something. activities at the same time.
I was able to run 500
meters without getting
tired.
Could (cud) Capacity in the past (past of I could not swim when I
“can”) was a kid.

Polite permission/request Could I make a phone call

from your phone?
Suggestion (possible We could go to the new
option/alternative) restaurant or we could stay
home.
Possibility (low probability
or one possibility of many) It could rain today.
She could be at home.
May Super polite requests May I use your toilet?

Probable possibilities, more It may rain today.

probable than “could” She may be at home.

Might Probable possibilities (more It might rain today.

than could, same as may) They might be good
people.

Should (shud) Give advices, suggestions, He should go to the doctor.

personal opinions. If he doesn’t feel well.
Rational probability.
He should be fine.
Ought to Can indicate correctness or She ought to study harder.
duty, a repetitive advice or You ought to leave that
suggestion. person.
Must Obligatory necessity. You must go to school
When something is Children must obey their
required by a rule or law parents
Very high probability She must be at home
Have to To express something We have to do the
 obligatory, when homework.
something is required or She has to be at 6 o’clock in
necessary the meeting.

Will Future secure, voluntary I will make dinner.

action.
The summer will be very
Predictions hot.

Possible promises, a I will call you at 4 pm.

spontaneous decision, an
opinion, hope, uncertainty
or assumption regarding
the future.
Would (wud) Uncertain future, it can be if I had time, I would travel
used for the past of will, more often.
uncertain possibilities He said he would come
Repetition in the past When I lived in Paris, I
would always go to the
Champs Elysees.
Shall This is normally used for Shall we begin?
polite questions or The defendant shall pay a
suggestions fine of $200.
Need to/ needn’t Express that something is I need to study this
important for you to do. It afternoon.
is often used for something She needs to save more
that is important one time, money
rather than referring to a They needn’t money.
responsibility or duty. They’re rich.

Grammar structure for modal verbs

Affirmative: Subject+ MV+ verb infinitive+ complement
Negative: Subject+ MV+ not+ verb infinitive+ complement
Interrogative short ans: MV+ subject+ verb infinitive+ complement?
Interrogative long ans: Wh question+ MV+ subject+ verb infinitive+ complement?

Grammar structure for have to: (we use the conjugation of present or past simple)
Affirmative: subject + have to + verb infinitive + complement
Negative: subject + aux do (pres/pas) + not + have to+ verb infinitive+ compl.
Interrogative short ans: aux do (pres/pas) + subject + have to+ verb infinitive +
complement?
Interrogative long ans: wh question + aux do (pres/pas) + subject + have to+ verb infinitive
+ complement?
Examples:
Can:
- She can speak 5 languages at the same time.
- We can buy a house or a car, but we cannot (can’t) buy both.
- She can go by train or car, but she can’t go walking because it’s dangerous
- She can watch tv because she did the homework.
- They can’t dance salsa very well
- I can’t study numbers at all. But I can do the basic mathematic operations.
- People cannot write poetry because they don’t read.
- What can you do?
- How many things can you do at the same time?
- Can you do me a favor, please?
- Can we get to know each other?
Be able to:
- I am able to eat two burgers in 40 minutes.
- She is able to carry out three activities at the same time.
- My friends are able to stay up till late at night.
- I was able to stablish conversations with unknown people when I was 17
- You were able to run 20 kms in one hour, now you are able to run only 5 kms in
one hour.
- He is not able to talk to her right now, but he will be able to do it later.
- We should be able to do our homework ourselves.
- You are not able to reach high speed in your car.
- I am not able to call her after what happened last Saturday.
- What are you able to do for love? For love, I am able to go to another city.
- What would you be able to do for love? I would be able to lend her my motorcycle.
- Are you able to speak English at the end of this year?
- Is she able to study hard?
Could:
- I could run long distances when I was younger
- She could play the drums and the guitar when she was a child.
 - Carol could be the right person for the position.
- Today, there could be some manifestations despite the rain.
- I could get a lot of money, if you helped me to grow.
- You could not have a healthy life. If you continue eating like that.
- If you are like that, nothing could change you.
- Oliver and Steve could not get along with each other when they were students.
- Christine couldn’t win the exam. She didn’t study.
- They couldn’t hang out; they didn’t have permission.
- Could you do me a favor?
- What could you do when you were 15’?
- Could I make a call from your cellphone?
- Where could they go without money?
- Could we get to know each other?
May:
- My job may pay me at the end of this month.
- I may be paid at the end of this month by SENA.
- If I study hard, I may have big chances to win the exam.
- You may not receive the same treat. If you are not honest.
- We may not go out these days. It’s risky
- I may not have any chances with her. She feels nothing for me.
- May I have your phone number? I am very interested in you.
- May I go to the bathroom, please?
- May I use your phone?

Might:
- It might be possible that Paola travels in December
- He might be with her. If he calls her every day.
- It is cloudy today. It might rain later.
- She loves you. She might not be with someone else.
- She might not be with someone else because she loves you.
- If you don’t buy the bill, you might not win the lottery.
Should:
- We should pay more attention to the class.
- I think you should analyze the situation better / you should look for help
- Maria should study for tomorrow’s final test
- If you want to have a better life conditions, you should work harder.
- They should not attack the citizens
- I think you shouldn’t eat late at night, it’s not healthy
 - She believes they shouldn’t be in that condition.
- People should not smoke. It’s bad for the lungs
- Should I tell what I feel?
- What should they do to learn better?
- Should you stop loving her?
- Where should we go to be in peace?
Ought to:
- We ought to do more exercise
- She ought to leave that man.
- They ought to clean that mess.
- Camila and Sophia ought to be more honest.
- Mark ought not to bring unknown people to the house.
- You ought not to lie to her, she’s a good person.
- My friends oughtn’t to have done that mess in Sophie’s house.
- You oughtn’t to cheat in the test. It is easy.
- Ought she to call the police?
- What ought they to do to solve those problems?
- Ought you to be more attentive with the people you love?
- When ought we to go visit our relatives?
Must:
- People must stay at home.
- Young people must respect older people.
- We must study every day to learn and understand better.
- You must wash your hands before each meal.
- She mustn’t smoke in a hospital.
- Students mustn’t take out their notes in a final test.
- We have a lot of work tomorrow. You mustn’t be late.
- You mustn’t tell anyone what I just told you. It’s a secret.
Have to:
- She has to pick her children up at 5 pm.
- We have to study for tomorrow’s test.
- You are old enough; you have to be responsible of your acts.
- Young people don’t always have to be dependent.
- She doesn’t have to talk, if she doesn’t want to
- I don’t have to go to the meeting. It does not concern me.
Will:
- They will be on time at the airport. If they have a fast car.
 - I will always love you
- I will be waiting right here for you.
- Maria will not call me because she’s angry with me.
- She won’t be worried. If you explain her the situation.
- I won’t buy anything unnecessary; I need to save money.
- Will you marry me?
- Will you be happy?
- What will you do after finish the program?
- What will you do in the next 2 years?
Would:
- I would do anything for you
- I would like to get to know you, would you have any problem, if we talk?
- I would buy different things. If I had more money than attitudes.
- They would tell you the truth, but they are liars.
- I would love to not go to face-to-face classes.
- I would love to be with you because I enjoy spending time with you.
- I’d love to be with you. I like you.
- We would like to go to Japan next year.
- I would rather get a new cellphone/ I would prefer to get a new cellphone.
- You would be here rather than being there.
- She wouldn’t go to the parties. Her parents didn’t allow her to go.
- I wouldn’t obey you. If you were my dad.
- They wouldn’t break windows when they were teenagers.
- She wouldn’t study programming, she’s not good with codes.
- Would you pass me the salt, please?
- Would you mind to pass me the salt, please?
- Would you have a minute?
- Would Marie be angry with me. If I take her cellphone to call?
- Would you like to have a coffee with me?
- Would you have a coffee with me?
- Would they be able to finish the book in two hours?
- What would you do if you found 50 thousand dollars?
- Where would you go every afternoon after school?
- Would you lend me 50 thousand pesos?
- Would we get to know each other?
- Would you like to get to know each other?
Shall:
- Shall you call her?
- Shall we go?
 - Where shall we have dinner?
- Why shall they study at the library?
- Shall you finish already?
- You shall wake up.
Need to/ needn’t:
- I need to spend more time with my children because I've been so busy lately.
- I needed to finish the homework on time.
- I have needed to be heard.
- We need to focus on getting a new business this month.
- You need to be ready for the coming protest.
- People need to be conscious of what they do.
- You don’t need to lie to me/ you needn’t lie to me
- They need go to the party.
- They needn’t get the money now.
- She needn’t win the exam. / She doesn’t need to win exam.
- She didn’t need to win the exam
- Michael doesn’t need to study to get good grades.
- Michael needn’t study to get good grades.
- What do we need to do to change the world?
- What did you need to be a better person?
- Need he study to get a great result?