Modal auxiliary verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs are used with a main verb to show, mood and ideas such as ability, possibility and permission. The main Modal auxiliary verbs are listed in table
Modals
can will must shall may
could would ought to should might
• Can: Can is used
1) to express ability:
Ryan can speak French but he cannot speak German.
Superman can do things that ordinary people can’t.
2) to express request:
Can you help Sue?
Can I offer you something to drink?
3) to express permission:
Can I use your cell phone?
You can’t go out with Victor.
4) to express possible:
If the weather is perfect tomorrow, we can go on a picnic.
I can be ready by five.
I will be ready five.
Could: Could is used
1) to express abilities in the past:
Jason could do 50 push-ups in five minutes when he was young.
Jason could talk when he was four.
2) to express permission:
Could you lend me two grants?
3) to express future possibility: it expresses more uncertainty than may
I could get an A or B in grammar. It depends on the final exam.
4) could with present perfect tense is used to express something in the past may be real.
You could have been killed in that accident.
I could have won that game.
Shall: shall is used to express the simple future for the first person.
Shall we meet at the bus stop?
I shall never forget your help.
Should: Should is used
1) to give advice and opinions
You are driving too fast; you should slow down a little bit.
You have gained a lot of weight. You should go on a diet
2) to express expectations:
Are you ready? The taxi should be here soon.
Twenty dollars is enough. It shouldn’t cost more than that.
3) to suggest a less strong possibility
If you should pass the bakery, can you buy some bread?
4) Should with present perfect tense means something in the past should not be done.
The baby is crying. You shouldn’t have talked so loudly.
Mom is angry. You shouldn’t have come back so late.
Will: Will is used
1) present to future tense:
Sean will leave tomorrow. She will be back in a few days.
If it rains, the soccer game will be put off.
2) express willing,
If you won’t go and help him, I will.
I will wash the dishes if you cook.
Would: Would is used
1) as the past tense of will:
She said she would buy dinner on her way home.
I believed it would rain so I brought my raincoat.
2) to express polite request:
Would you please take off your coat?
Would you mind turning the radio off?
3) to express actions take place in the past:
I would fish and swim in the river when I lived in the countryside.
I used to go swimming in the river when I lived in the countryside.
4) to express desire
I would like to have one day off.
I’d love to stay for a few more days.
May: May is used to
1) express possibility in the present or in the future.
It may rain.
Elizabeth may know his telephone number.
2) for permission:
May I come in?
You may come if you want.
3) to express wish or hope.
May you a long life!
Might: Might is used
1) to express possibility in the present or in the future.
Ashley might be in the library. I am not sure.
George might come as well.
He may come.
He might come. (the chance that he comes is less likely than may)
2) might with present perfect tense means speculation about the past.
Edward is late.
He might have missed his bus or he might haveoverslept.
Difference between the modal verbs.
1) The modals used to express future possibility
2) The modals used to express request
3) The modals used to express permission
4) The modals used to give advice
5) The modals used to express preference
Exercise: Use an appropriate modal verb to compete each sentence