English Modal Verbs Table
Modal verb
|
Usage
|
Example
|
can
|
ability
|
I can do several things
at the same time. |
when something is possible
|
Miracles can happen.
| |
permission
|
You can go now.
| |
informal requests
|
Can you come for a minute?
| |
could
|
past form of "can"
|
She said she could pay
for us as well. |
polite requests
|
Could you move
your bag, please? | |
possibility
|
It could be that he
missed the train. | |
may
|
possibility
|
It may rain tomorrow.
|
ask or give
permission (formal) |
May I speak?
| |
might
|
past form of "may"
|
He said he might
change his mind. |
possibility
|
This might fail.
| |
must
|
you have to do it
|
You must obey the law
|
it's very logical or
very likely to happen |
They left so early, they
must be home by now. | |
must not/
mustn't |
you are not
allowed to do it |
You mustn't smoke in here.
|
shall
|
future for "I" and "we"
|
I shall see him tomorrow.
|
questions and suggestions for "I" and "we"
|
Let's continue, shall we?
| |
should
|
the right thing to do
|
She should call the police.
|
advice
|
- What should I do?
- You should stop thinking about it. | |
what is likely or
expected to happen |
We should be
back by midnight. | |
will
|
future action or states
(not plans) |
Prices will go up
next summer. |
promises and intentions
|
It's alright, I'll pick it up.
| |
would
|
past form of "will"
|
He told me he would come.
|
imagined situations
|
What would you do
if you were him? | |
for polite requests, offers and invitations
|
- Would you please sit down?
- Would you like some tea? - We are meeting with Sarah next Saturday, would you like to come along? | |
to say what you
want to do or have |
I would like a piece of cake.
| |
ought to
|
the right thing to do
|
You ought to apologize.
|
English Modal Verbs – Situations Table
Situation
|
Modal Verb
|
Example
|
requests
(formal) |
may
|
May I sit down?
|
requests
(informal) |
can
|
Can I sit down?
|
requests
(polite) |
could
|
Could I sit down?
|
requests
(polite) |
would
|
Would you mind if I sit down?
|
permission
(formal) |
may
|
You may sit down.
|
permission
(informal) |
can
|
You can sit down.
|
obligation
(full) |
must
|
You must tell the
police the truth. |
obligation
(partial) |
should
|
You should tell
your friends the truth. |
obligation (partial)
(less common) |
ought to
|
You ought to tell
your friends the truth. |
logical conclusions
(stronger than "should") |
must
|
He left an hour ago, so he must be there already.
|
logical conclusions
(weaker than "must") |
should
|
He left half an hour ago,
I believe he should be there already. |
possibility
(general) |
can
|
It can rain sometimes.
|
possibility
(weaker than "may" and "might") |
could
|
It could rain, but it is
not very common in this part of the country. |
possibility
(weaker than "may") |
might
|
It's not very cloudy yet,
but it might rain. |
possibility
(stronger than "might") |
may
|
It starts getting cloudy –
it may rain soon. |
future actions/states/intentions
|
will
|
Look at the sky!
It will rain soon. |
Remember: "Must and Mustn't"
As you probably already know. "Must" expresses obligation and "mustn't" expresses prohibitin. Look around your classroom, there must be some rules. Could you give us some examples.
A good rule for online students is "You must tary to write to your teacher in English at all times" :)
Exercises on " Modals" 
Exercise 2:
Exercise 3:
Exercise 4:
Exercise 5:
Exercise 6:
Exercise 7:
Exercise 8:
Exercise 9:
Exercise 10:
Exercise 11:
Exercise 12:
Exercise 2:
Exercise 3:
Exercise 4:
Exercise 5:
Exercise 6:
Exercise 7:
Exercise 8:
Exercise 9:
Exercise 10:
Exercise 11:
Exercise 12:
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