MODAL

VERBS
Can , Could
May , Might
Shall , Should
Will , Would MODAL VERBS
Must
THIS WORDS ARE USED TO
EXPRESS

Probability

Suggestion

Possibility

Without this English cannot be Spoken or Written

LET SEE !!
CAN , COULD
Modal Verb “Can”: Ability or Inability in the present or
Future.

I can do it
I can swim
I cannot swim
or else
I can swim = I am able to swim

Some common mistakes

I can able to swim Or
I cannot able to swim
You cannot compile “ Can” and “able” in
one and the same sentence
SOME COMMON ERRORS
He cans swim = Not correct
He can swim
There cannot be the letter “S” after “can” or any other Modal
verbs.
He will can swim = Not correct
It is not correct to combine two or more Modal verbs
We raise Questions?
Do you swim (or) Can you swim?
Its not correct to say;
Do you can swim?
Modal verbs cannot be combined with an Auxiliary verb
LET’S SEE EXAMPLES

He can play Piano.

We can win the game next time.
You can learn to speak English in six
months.
CAN!!!!
Can”, can be used For giving or not giving
“

Permission.
Note: For asking permission Could is better.
Examples:
1. You can use my car. – Giving permission
2. You cannot talk loud in the library. – Not
GP
Let’s see Could”

MODAL VERB “COULD” ABILITY OR

LACK OF ABILITY IN THE PAST.

She could dance well five years back.

Could can be used to describe the “Possibility”.
The train could be late.
( I am not sure whether the train was late or not)
Past Possibility:
You could have passed in the exam, if you have
prepared well.
TAKE A SMALL BREAK
COULD!!!
General Possibility,
“Can”, can be used (but less common).
“It is raining cats and dogs“- it means heavy rain
You can or could catch cold if you get wet in the rain.
Making a request-{Always in the question form.}
Examples:
1. Could you lend me your pen for a while please?
2. Could I go out to play now?
3. Can I speak to Suresh please? (or)
Could I speak to Suresh please?
Could is a better word while requesting.
MAKING SUGGESTION(ALWAYS IN
THE AFFIRMATIVE) AGREEING

What do you suggest we have for the lunch?

We Could have some Tandoori chicken.
MAY AND MIGHT
May – Asking for permission.
Examples;
May I use your pen?
May I leave now, sir? Yes you may.
A Strong Possibility in the Present or
Future.
It may rain soon.
MIGHT

A possibility in the present or future (Slightly weaker than May)

It might rain soon.

It could rain soon.
But may and might are more common
There is no wrong in using could. Even the native
speaker use it, but the correct expression is may/
might.
Possibility in the past (followed by “have done”).
He might have missed his flight.
FEW MORE EXAMPLES
I could have reached the Bus stop on time, if I
had come via Theni.
I might have failed in the exam if had not
prepared well for it.
She has not come yet. She might have missed the
bus.
He could have travelled by flight instead of by
train to reach here.
SHALL, WILL
• In modern English “Shall” is not commonly
used, “Will” is been used in the place where
shall has to be used.
• Even native speaker too have almost
forgotten the word “Shell”
• Shall is used only in certain documents {Legal
Documents}
• So don’t worry, What to use either “Shall or
Will” .
LET’S GO FURTHER!!
Shall and Will are used for simple future tense.

Person Normal Future Strong Future

tense tense

I/ WE Shall Will

You Will Shall

He/She/It/They Will Shall

EXAMPLES NORMAL
FUTURE TENSE
• I shall try to get 1st class this year.
• We shall play football match this evening.
• You will find the book on the table.
• He/she will go to USA for higher studies.
• The train (It) will come late by 30 minutes due to
maintenance work of the railway track.
• All the agriculturist (they) of the village will get
interest free loan this year.
STRONG/COMMANDING

Your mother “ your grandma is coming by the evening train,

who will go to the station to receive her?
YOU- I will (Strong Promise).
We will win the game this time come what may (strong
determination).
You shall obey my orders and finish the work by 5pm (strong
order from a higher authority).
The game shall not start till the minister arrives (strong order)
The agriculturalist shall take crop insurance to avail interest free
loan. (strong Condition).
The tenant shall pay the rent before the 5th of every month
(condition in the legal documents).
CONTRACTION
FORMS

I shall/ will I ‘ll

We will We’ll

You will You’ll

He will He’ll

She will She’ll

 I/we will not I/WE Won’t

You will not You won’t

He/ she/it/they will not He/ she/it/they won’t

SHALL NOT = SHALL NOT

THERE IS NO CONTRACTION FOR SHALL
NOT.
THANK YOU