MODAL VERBS Auxiliaries, such as can, could, may, might, , will, would, shall, should,

must, have to, and ought to, that add specific meaning to verbs.

CAN
Functions Example Sentences
1. Ability I can run 10 km.
2. Possibility Staring at the sun can damage your eyes.
3. Permission Can I use your pencil?
4. Suggestion You can play guitar or drums on J&S Prom.
5. Request Can you hand me the stapler?
COULD
1. Ability (Past) I could run 10 km when I was young.
2. Possibility (Low Chance) Why isnt Maria here? She could be busy.
3. Impossibility He was obviously joking. He could not be serious.
4. Permission (More formal/Polite) Could I ask a question please?
Could I go now please?
5. Request Could you lend me a hand please?
MAY
1. To ask/give permission May I call you? Yes, you may call me later tonight.
2. To show possibility (high chance) Its 10:30. We may be late
MIGHT
1. To show Possibility (moderate chance) I might see you tomorrow.
The teacher might come to class late today.

WILL
1. Formulation of the simple future tense
with ALL pronouns.
2. Making a request with the pronoun YOU
in the question form (Informal
alternative to could)
3. To make offers/promises
SHALL
1. Formulation of the simple future tense
with pronouns I and We.
2. Offering to do something with the
pronoun I in question form.
3. Making/Asking for a suggestion with the
pronoun We in the question form
4. Future tense in official documents and
contracts
WILL VS. SHALL
I will attend the meeting, for I am the president.
We will attend the meeting, for we are the
officers.
John will call you.
We will come and see you.
Will you turn the TV down please?
Will you give me a hand please?
I will give you a lift after the party.
I will take care of everything for you.
I shall call you. I shall return.
We shall be there for you.
You look cold. Shall I put the heater on?
It looks nice outside. Shall we go for a walk?
The tenant shall pay for all the damages caused to the property.
Conveying a sense of importance or Duty.
You shall attend the meeting, because you are the president.
He/she shall attend the meeting, because he/she is the president.
They shall attend the meeting, because they are the officers.

SHOULD
1. Expressing an opinion or giving/asking
for an advice
2. Expressing an expectation
3. Expressing a regret about past action
You look tired. I think you should have some rest.
What should I say when I talk to her?
You should receive my letter in two days.
You should have been more careful

WOULD
1. Formulation of conditional 2 and
conditional 3 sentences.
2. Habit in the past (similar to used to)
3. Making a request with the pronoun
YOU in the question form. (alternative
to COULD)
4. In Polite Expressions
OUGHT TO
1. Advice
2. Obligation
MUST
1. Expressing a Necessity
2. Expressing Prohibition
3. Making logical conclusions (best guess)
4. Strong obligation or duty
5. Strong recommendation
HAVE TO
1. Expressing Necessity
2. Lack of necessity
I shouldnt have said that.
(2) If I were you, I would study harder.
(3) If you had warned me, I would not have told your father about the
party.
When I lived in the city, I would walk everywhere.
When she was at school, she would play the guitar everday.
Would you turn the TV down please?
Would you give me a hand please?
What would you like? What would you prefer?
I would like a glass of water please.
Same meaning as SHOULD.
My clothes are dirty. I ought to wash them.
You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.
Strong, serious, no non sense words.
A necessity felt by the speaker.
I must study tonight for the test tomorrow.
Children must not play with matches.
Nancy is yawning. She must be sleepy.
Look at that snow. It must be cold outside.
SOCO must do everything to solve the case.
I must review all of the rules about modal verbs.
You must see the new action movie of Jackie Chan. Its fantastic.
Necessity for external obligation.
I have to study tonight for the test.
I finished all of my work this afternoon. I dont have to study tonight.
Sir MCS 2016