Modal Verb
a) Ability
We use “can,
could and be able to” to talk about the ability.
Can: is
used in the present.
Example: He
can play the guitar.
Could: is used in the past.
Example: My
sister could speak when she was 15 years old.
Be able to: can
be used both in present and past.
Example: Last
year I wasn’t able to speak at all, but now I am able to speak smoothly.
b) Permission
We use “can,
could, may and might”
to ask to a permission.
Example:
- Can I use your pen for a moment?
-Could I ask you a personal question?
- May I make a suggestion?
We use “must and have to/ have got to” to express obligation or necessity.
Example:
- I have got a trouble pain in my back, so I must go to
the doctor now.
- We have to drive on the left in Britain.
d) Obligation and Advice
We use “should,
ought to, had better, and shall”
to talk about the obligation and advice.
Should and Ought to is used talk about the obligation and duty, to ask
for and give advice and in general, to say what is right or good.
Example:
- You ought to learn to swim.
- I shouldn’t tell a lie.
Had better: is
used to express a strong recommendation in a particular situation.
Example: It’s
going to be cold tonight, so I had better turn on the heating.
Shall is used when we want to know someone’s
opinion, or when we want advice or instruction.
Example:
- I have missed my last bus. What shall I do?
- I’m not sure what to do. Shall I apply for a job or
not?
- How long shall I cook this rice?
e) Possibility
We use “may,
might and could”
to talk about present or future possibility.
Example:
- There is someone at the door. It may be Sara.
- We aren’t sure what we are going to do tomorrow. We
might go to the beach.
f) Probability
We use “should and ought to” to say that something is probable at the moment of
speaking or in the future.
Example:
- Sally should be at work by now. She’s normally there at
this time.
- She ought to pass his driving easily. She hasn’t got
much to do.
g) Request
We use “can,
could, may, will and would”
to ask for something, to ask for permission or to ask someone to do something.
Example:
- Can I ask you a pen?
- Could I ask you some questions?
- May I have some more coffee?
h) Offer
We use “will,
shall, could and would”
when we are willing to do something for someone.
Example:
- I will lend you some money.
- Shall I open the door for you?
- I can write this letter for you.
- I could help you to lift this box.
- Would you like me to help you?
i) Suggestion
We use “shall,
can and could”
to ask for and make a suggestion.
Example:
- Shall we stay at home?
- We can watch TV if you like.
- We could go to the cinema.
j) Habit
+ We use “used
to” to talk about past
habit which are now finished.
Example: Robert
used to play football when he was young.
+ We use “will and would”
to talk about the actions which are repeated again and again, and we use “will”
for present habits and “would” for past habits.
Example:
- Every day Jane will come home from school and ring up
the friends she’s just been talking to.
- In those days people would make their own
entertainment.
k) Promise
We use “will” to express strong intention in promises
and threats.
Example:
- I will be careful with the car, I promise.
- Stop making that noise or I will scream!
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