Modals

What are Modals?

Modal verbs are a category of the
auxiliaries: they too are ‘helping’
verbs. They help the main verb to
express a range of meanings:
possibility, probability, certainty,
permission, requests, instructions,
suggestions, offers and invitations,
wants and wishes, obligation and
necessity.
 Modal Meaning Example

Can you unlock this door for me?

can, could, may, Possibility This might come in useful.
might It could have been a disastrous accident.
When may she get up?

You must be Dr. Green.

cannot/can’t, must, Probability and He can’t have told me the whole story. We
ought to, should, will certainty ought to arrive home by noon.
That must be the postman now.

He cannot sing for toffee.

can, could, be able to Ability He could read and write from a very young age.
She was able to sign her name with difficulty.
She couldn’t stop laughing.

You can use my car if you want. You may

can, could, may Permission speak now, John.
Can I ask a question?
Would you give John a message for me, please?
can, could, will, Instructions and Would you do me a favor?
would requests Could you explain that again for me?
I would like this work finished by Friday.
could, may, might, Suggestions You could try again later.
 You might like to try this new
shall shampoo.
You may as well start again. Shall we
change the subject?

Will you have a cup of tea?

can, could, Offers and Would you like a biscuit?
shall, will, invitations I could give you a lift to the
would shops. Shall we dance?

must, mustn’t, Obligation I have to go now.

have to, have and I must get to the interview in good
got to necessity time.
The modals express two main types of meaning:
1.human control over events, such as is involved
in permission, intention, ability, or obligation

2. judgement whether an event was, is, or will

be likely to happen:
They may be away for the weekend. (‘It is
possible that they are . . .’)
That could be your mother. (‘It is possible that it
is . . .’) It must be past midnight. (‘It is certainly
the case that it is . . .’)
MODALS &
THEIR USE
 Can
Use Examples

ability to do in the present (substitute

I can speak English.
form: to be able to)

permission to do in the present

Can I go to the cinema?
(substitute form: to be allowed to)

request Can you wait a moment, please?

Offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow.

suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the weekend?

possibility It can get very hot in Tuguegarao.

 COULD
Use Examples

ability to do in the past (substitute

form: to I could speak English.
be able to)

permission to do in the past (substitute

form: I could go to the cinema.
to be allowed to)

polite question * Could I go to the cinema, please?

polite request * Could you wait a moment, please?

polite offer * I could lend you my car till tomorrow.

polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?

possibility * It could get very hot in Tuguegarao.

 MAY
Use Examples

possibility It may rain today.

permission to do in the
present (substitute form: May I go to the cinema?
to be allowed to)

polite suggestion May I help you?

 MIGHT
Use Examples

possibility (less
possible than may) It might rain today.
*

hesitant offer * Might I help you?

 MUST
Use Examples

I must go to the
force, necessity
supermarket today.

possibility You must be tired.

advice, You must see the new

recommendation film with Brad Pitt.
 MUST NOT/MAY NOT
Use Examples

You mustn't work on

dad's computer.
prohibition (must is a
little stronger)
You may not work on
dad's computer.
 NEED NOT
Use Examples
I needn't go to the
supermarket, we're
not necessary going to the
restaurant tonight.
ought to (similar to should – ought to; sounds a little
less subjective)
Use Examples
You ought to drive
advice carefully in bad
weather.
You ought to switch
Obligation off the light when
you leave the room.
Shall (used instead of will in
the 1st person)
Use Examples
Shall I carry your
Suggestion
bag?
 Should
Use Examples
You should drive carefully in bad
Advice weather.
Obligation You should switch off the light when
you leave the room.
 WILL
Use Examples
wish, request, demand,
Will you please shut the
order (less polite than
door?
would)
I think it will rain on
prediction, assumption
Friday.
Promise I will stop smoking.
Can somebody drive me
spontaneous decision
to the station? - I will.
She's strange, she'll sit
Habits for hours without
talking.
 WOULD
Use Examples

wish, request (more Would you shut the door,

polite than will) please?
Sometimes he would bring me
habits in the past some flowers.