Modals

A. MODAL VERBS
Modal Verbs are auxiliary or helping verbs which modify or change the meaning of the main
verbs. You use modal verbs in giving advice or suggestions, in making requests, or in giving
predictions and prohibitions.
Modal Verbs Meaning Examples
To express someone’s capability or She can swim very fast.
skill (ability) I can speak three languages.
Can I borrow your pen?
To give or ask for permission
You can leave early today.
It can get very hot in summer.
To indicate that something is
can This road can be dangerous at
possible (possibility)
night.
I can help you with your homework
if you’d like.
To make an offer or suggestion
I can drive you to the airport
tomorrow if you need a ride.
When I was younger, I could run
To express ability in the past (past long distance.
ability) She could dance for hours when
she was younger.
Could you help me with this
To make polite or formal requests assignment?
(polite request) Could I borrow your book for a
week?
To indicate something that might It could rain later this evening.
could happen or be true, especially when That loud noise could be coming
the likelihood is uncertain from the garage.
(possibility)
We could go to the park after lunch.
To offer suggestions You could try restarting the
computer.
If I had more time, I could learn to
To talk about hypothetical or
play the piano.
conditional situations
With more practice, she could
(conditional situations)
become an excellent musician.
To express actions that are certain or I will meet you at the park tonight.
planned to happen in the future She will start her new job next
(future action) week.
I will help you with your project.
To make promises or offers
I will call you later, promise.
To predict what might happen in the It will probably rain this afternoon.
future based on knowledge or He will be a great leader one day.
will
assumptions (predictions)
For decisions made spontaneously I will have the pasta, please.
at the time of speaking (decisions Oh, I will answer the phone!
made at the moment)
This will work perfectly.
To express certainty or confidence
You will definitely enjoy the
about something happening.
concert.
 To make requests, offers, or Would you like some coffee?
invitations more polite and formal Would you help me with this task?
To talk about something that was He said he would come to the
supposed to happen in the future party.
from a past point of view (future in They thought the meeting would be
the past) cancelled.
When we were kids, we would play
To describe repeated actions or
outside for hours.
habits in the past (past habits or
would Every summer, they would go
willingness)
camping by the lake.
To express actions or events that I would help if I had the time.
depend on a certain condition She would go, but she is feeling
(conditional situations) unwell.
If I were rich, I would travel the
To talk about something that is
world.
unlikely or imaginary (hypothetical or
She would buy that house if it were
imaginary situations)
cheaper.
Often used to make suggestions or Shall we go for a walk?
offer assistance, particularly in Shall I open the window for you?
Shall
formal situations
(Less commonly used
To express a strong intention or You shall have your money back
in daily speech;
determination, usually in formal tomorrow.
frequently used in
context (promises or determination) Justice shall be served.
British English)
To politely ask for advice or a What shall I do next?
decision Shall we start the meeting now?
You should see a doctor if you’re
To offer advice or suggest what is the feeling unwell.
right thing to do We should review the project
before the submission.
To express a sense of obligation, Students should submit their
often implying that something is the assignments on time.
correct or expected to happen You should apologize for being late.
should (obligation or duties)
To indicate what is expected or likely The bus should arrive at 3 pm.
to happen based on what is known The weather should improve by the
(expectations or predictions) weekend.
If you should need any help, just let
To express what would be a good or
me know.
expected outcome in a hypothetical
Should you encounter ay problem,
situation (conditional statements)
please contact support.
To ask for or give permission in a May I leave the room?
polite or formal manner (permission) You may start your exam now.
It may rain later, so bring your
To express that something is umbrella
possible but not certain (possibility) She may come to the party, but she
May hasn’t decided yet.
To offer suggestions or You may want to check your email
recommendations in a polite way for updates.
(polite suggestions) May I suggest taking a break?
 It might snow tomorrow.
To indicate that something is
She might join I us for dinner, but
possible but not certain
she’s not sure.
might You might want to try restarting
(used to express a To make polite suggestions or your computer.
lower degree or recommendations We might consider looking at the
certainty compared to other options.
may) I might be able to help if I finish my
To express a tentative or cautious
work early.
statement about something
They might have left already, but
(tentative statements)
I’m not sure.
You must wear a seatbelt in a car.
To express a strong obligation or
Learners must attend the flag
must necessity
ceremony every Monday.
(Strong obligation;
She must be the new manager; she
more personal or
To indicate a logical conclusion has the office next to mine.
internal)
based on evidence She must be the new team leader,
given her new office.
I have to submit the report by
To express an obligation or necessity Friday.
have to
often due to external factors or rules We have to follow the school’s
rules.
To express a requirement or I need to finish this book by
need to necessity, often based on personal tomorrow.
or situational need You need to get more sleep.
You ought to see a doctor if you’re
To offer advice or suggest what is the feeling well.
ought to
right thing to do We ought to save some money for
emergencies.