MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that also have (modal) meaning; they denote likelihood, ability, permission and obligation.
MODAL VERBS OF PERMISSION
- Could
o Could I have some more juice?
- Can
o Can I go to the toilet?
- May
o May I marry your daughter?
- Might
o Might I ask you for a favor?
MODAL VERBS OF POSSIBILITY
- Could
o We could go to the party tonight.
- Can
o Smoking can cause cancer.
- May
o You may experience side effects.
- Might
o You might need to have that looked at.
- Can't (impossibility)
o That can't be him.
MODAL VERBS OF PROBABILITY
- Might
o It might rain tomorrow.
- May
o I may have done a bad thing.
- Must (very strong probability based on deduction)
o Everyone's wearing jackets – it must be cold there.
- Could
o That could have happened.
- Have to (strong probability, often based on the speaker's beliefs)
o He's been running for 30min – he has to be tired.
MODAL VERBS OF OBLIGATION
- Must (internal obligation or expressing authority of the speaker)
o I have to go wash the dishes (or I'll feel bad).
- Should (mild obligation, advice)
o You should leave now.
- Have to (external obligation)
o I have to learn this (or I'll fail the exam).
MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY
- Can
o I can swim.
- Could (past ability)
o I could swim when i was 5.
- Be able to
o Is he able to beat him?
MODAL VERBS OF PROHIBITION
- Must not
o You must not walk on the grass.
- May not
o You may not go to the bathroom.
- Cannot
o You cannot smoke here.
MODAL VERBS OF ADVICE
- Should (used when speaking in the second or third person)
o You should go to the doctor's.
- Would (used when speaking in the first person)
o I wouldn't do that.
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that also have (modal) meaning; they denote likelihood, ability, permission and obligation.
MODAL VERBS OF PERMISSION
- Could
o Could I have some more juice?
- Can
o Can I go to the toilet?
- May
o May I marry your daughter?
- Might
o Might I ask you for a favor?
MODAL VERBS OF POSSIBILITY
- Could
o We could go to the party tonight.
- Can
o Smoking can cause cancer.
- May
o You may experience side effects.
- Might
o You might need to have that looked at.
- Can't (impossibility)
o That can't be him.
MODAL VERBS OF PROBABILITY
- Might
o It might rain tomorrow.
- May
o I may have done a bad thing.
- Must (very strong probability based on deduction)
o Everyone's wearing jackets – it must be cold there.
- Could
o That could have happened.
- Have to (strong probability, often based on the speaker's beliefs)
o He's been running for 30min – he has to be tired.
MODAL VERBS OF OBLIGATION
- Must (internal obligation or expressing authority of the speaker)
o I have to go wash the dishes (or I'll feel bad).
- Should (mild obligation, advice)
o You should leave now.
- Have to (external obligation)
o I have to learn this (or I'll fail the exam).
MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY
- Can
o I can swim.
- Could (past ability)
o I could swim when i was 5.
- Be able to
o Is he able to beat him?
MODAL VERBS OF PROHIBITION
- Must not
o You must not walk on the grass.
- May not
o You may not go to the bathroom.
- Cannot
o You cannot smoke here.
MODAL VERBS OF ADVICE
- Should (used when speaking in the second or third person)
o You should go to the doctor's.
- Would (used when speaking in the first person)
o I wouldn't do that.