Scribd
Upload
176 views2 pages

Modal Verbs Table

The document is a table outlining the uses of various modal verbs in English, categorized by their present, future, and past forms. It includes examples for each modal verb, demonstrating their functions such as ability, permission, necessity, and advisability. The table serves as a reference for understanding how to correctly use modal verbs in different contexts.

Uploaded by

AbuUmmu Zaidan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
176 views2 pages

Modal Verbs Table

The document is a table outlining the uses of various modal verbs in English, categorized by their present, future, and past forms. It includes examples for each modal verb, demonstrating their functions such as ability, permission, necessity, and advisability. The table serves as a reference for understanding how to correctly use modal verbs in different contexts.

Uploaded by

AbuUmmu Zaidan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Modal Verbs Table

Modal USES Present / Future PAST

be
We are supposed We were supposed
supposed expectation
to meet them here. to meet here.
to

strong We are to meet them We were to meet them


be to
expectation here. here.

ability /
possibility I can learn modal verbs
I could jump high a few
can / online.
years ago but now
could informal
I can't.
permission You can use my car
Can - tomorrow.
Can't informal polite
request Can I borrow your book?
That could't have been
Could
true!
impossibility Cats can't swim.
(negative only)

necessity
I have to go to class I had to go to class
today. yesterday.
have to
lack of
I don't have to go to class I didn't have to go to
necessity
today. class yesterday.
(negative)

have got I have got to go to class I had to go to class


necessity
to today yesterday.

strongly You had better be on


had better (past form uncommon)
advised time.

may polite request May I borrow your book?


formal You may leave the room.
permission He may be at the school. He may have been at
less than 50% school.
certainty

less than 50% He might have


Might He might be at school.
certainty been at school.

strong I must go to class today.


I had to go to class
necessity
yesterday.
You must not open that
door.
must
prohibition
Mary isn't in class.
Mary must have
She must be sick.
been sick yesterday.
95% certainty (present only)

I ought to have studied


advisability I ought to study tonight.
last night.
ought to
She ought to have
80% certainty She ought to be at school
done well on the test.

ask another
person's
Shall I invite them too?
shall opinion (only
Shall we dance?
used with I or
we)

You should have paid


advisability I should study tonight
your bills.
should
He should have done
80% certainty He should be at school
well on the test.

You might also like