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MODALS

This document summarizes the common English modal verbs including their uses and examples. It outlines the main modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, and have to. For each modal verb, it provides the typical uses to indicate ability, possibility, permission, certainty, necessity or obligation. The examples demonstrate how each modal verb is used in different contexts.

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Indrani Narayanasamy
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161 views3 pages

MODALS

This document summarizes the common English modal verbs including their uses and examples. It outlines the main modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, and have to. For each modal verb, it provides the typical uses to indicate ability, possibility, permission, certainty, necessity or obligation. The examples demonstrate how each modal verb is used in different contexts.

Uploaded by

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

MODAL USE EXAMPLE


 To say that someone
knows how to do I can run fast.
something

CAN  To say something is


Onions can make you
possible
(Present cry.
 To ask something
tense)
politely (informal) – Can I borrow your
permission / request
pen?

Cannot /
That cannot be true!
Can’t  Impossible You can’t go to school
(negative) now.

 To use in past She could swim like a

Could tense for ‘can’ fish when she was


younger.
(Past  To ask something Could you help me?
tense) more politely

He could be at home.
 Less than 50 %
sure of something
Could not That could not be
( couldn’t) Impossible true!
MODAL USE EXAMPLE
 To say that you are not I may visit my sister
sure that something tomorrow.
will happen

May  To tell a wish May you be happy


always.

 To ask (only with I or “May I use your


we) / give permission
phone?”
“Yes, you may.”
 To say that you are not
Might sure that something is
going to happen ( 80%
She might come to my
house today.
will not happen)
 To show future I will go fishing
Will actions (100 % tomorrow.
sure)
(Present
tense)  To show
I will study hard.
determination to do
something

 To show past tense He said he would go


of will fishing with me.

 To make a request Would you please open


Would or an offer the door for me?
politely Would you like some
(Past coffee?
Tense)  To tell your like/ I wish she would stop
want you want to talking loudly.
do I would like a
chocolate ice cream.
MODAL USE EXAMPLE

Shall
 Polite question to give
an idea/ suggestion
Shall I open the
window?
(Present  Future with “I” or I shall arrive at nine.
“We”
tense)
Should
You should stop
(Past  To say that it is smoking.
Tense) / advisable to do or The children ought to
not to do something go to sleep now.
Ought to

 Strong need I must go to class


today.

 95% sure it is true Mary is not in class.


Must/ She must be sick.
Have to
I have to go to
school today.

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