Modal verbs
Modal verbs are used to talk about ability, possibility, obligation, prohibition, or to make requests or offers.
Form
Modal verb + Verb (bare infinitive)
Modal verbs | Usages | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Can | Ability | I can play the piano very well. |
Permission | Can I go now? | |
Possibility | It can be a very good day tomorrow. | |
Offer | I can help you with this homework. Don’t worry! | |
Request | Can you please pass me the salt? | |
Could | Ability in the past | I could play the piano well when I was 9. |
Polite permission | Excuse me, could I come in? | |
Possibility | A hailstorm could come here tomorrow. | |
Polite offer | No problem. I could give you a lift. | |
Polite request | Could you please move to the next slide? | |
May | Permission | May I leave early? |
Possibility | Astronauts may discover life in other planets. | |
Might | Polite permission | Might I take you home? |
Possibility | I might visit him tomorrow if the weather is nice. | |
Must | Obligation | You must do homework. |
Certainty | He must be at the cinema now. He told me about that yesterday. | |
Mustn't | Prohibition | You mustn’t play here. It’s dangerous. |
Will | Prediction | The weather forecast predicts that it’ll rain tonight. |
Promise | I’ll finish all the homework by Friday. | |
Spontaneous decision | I’ll lend you some money. | |
Request/ demand | Will you please give me that book? | |
Would | Used as the past form of “will” | My dad said that he would give me some toys on my birthday. |
Polite request/ demand | Would you mind closing the door, please? | |
Shall | Prediction | This time tomorrow I shall be in London. |
Offer/ suggestion | Shall we discuss this further with him? | |
Should | Advice | You should see the doctor. It’s swollen. |
Prediction/ expectation | The project should be done before May. | |
Polite suggestion | Should I call her to say sorry? | |
Ought to | Obligation | You ought to say good bye to your parents when you leave. |
Advice | You ought to sleep early. You look really tired. | |
Needn't | Used to talk about something not necessary | You needn’t give him any advice. He won’t listen. |
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