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Modals - English Grammar: Can Can Can Can Can Can

This document discusses the different uses of modal verbs in English grammar. It outlines 12 modal verbs - can, could, may, might, must, must not/may not, need not, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. For each modal verb, it provides the uses and examples to illustrate when and how they are used in sentences. The modal verbs can express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, necessity, advice, obligation, habits and more.

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sofiacunha92
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487 views

Modals - English Grammar: Can Can Can Can Can Can

This document discusses the different uses of modal verbs in English grammar. It outlines 12 modal verbs - can, could, may, might, must, must not/may not, need not, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. For each modal verb, it provides the uses and examples to illustrate when and how they are used in sentences. The modal verbs can express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, necessity, advice, obligation, habits and more.

Uploaded by

sofiacunha92
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modals - English Grammar

1) can

Use Examples

ability to do sth. in the present (substitute


I can speak English.
form: to be able to)
permission to do sth. 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 Arizona.

2) could

Use Examples

ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form:


I could speak English.
to be able to)
permission to do sth. in the past (substitute
I could go to the cinema.
form: 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 Montana.

3) may

Use Examples

possibility It may rain today.


permission to do sth. in the present
May I go to the cinema?
(substitute form: to be allowed to)
polite suggestion May I help you?

4) might

Use Examples

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


hesitant offer * Might I help you?

5) must

Use Examples
force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today.
possibility You must be tired.
advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.

6) must not/may not

Use Examples

You mustn't work on dad's computer.


prohibition
You may not work on dad's computer.

7) need not

Use Examples

I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going


not necessary
to the restaurant tonight.

8) ought to

Use Examples

advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.


You ought to switch off the light when you
obligation
leave the room.

9) shall

instead of will in the 1st person

Use Examples

suggestion Shall I carry your bag?

10) should

Use Examples

advice You should drive carefully in bad weather.


You should switch off the light when you
obligation
leave the room.

11) will

Use Examples

wish, request, demand, order (less polite than


Will you please shut the door?
would)
prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday.
promise I will stop smoking.
spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? - I
will.
She's strange, she'll sit for hours without
habits
talking.

12) would

Use Examples

wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please?
habits in the past Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.

* no past forms - future forms

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