MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

1. Auxiliary verbs that express possibility, need, ability, obligation and permission. We use them for the future and the conditional.

   • They can't function as a main verb, only as a complement, that means, modal verbs don't work without another verb.
     • MIGHT
       • - Present or future possibility
         • - It might be better to finish this now, rather than wait until tomorrow. - I would bring an umbrella, it might rain later.
     • WILL
       • - Will or determination - Asking for information or favor
         • - I will help you. - We will learn English. - Will you help me move? - Will they find a cure for cancer?
       • it form the future tense

2. CAN

   • - Ability or Possibility (Inability or Impossibility) - Asking for permission - Request
     • - I can speak five languages - Can you help me? - Can I smoke here?

3. COULD

   • - Asking for permission (more formal that "CAN") - Request (more formal that "CAN") - Suggestion - Future possibility - Ability in the past
     • - Could I borrow your dictionary? - Could you say that again more slowly? - We could try to fix it ourselves - I think we could have another Gulf War - He gave up his old job so he could work for us

4. BE ABLE TO

   • - Ability - Inability
     • - I'm able to drive for hours without stopping - I wasn't able to reach in time

5. MAY

   • - Asking for permission (more formal that "CAN" or "COULD") - Future possibility -Permission
     • - May I have another cup of coffee? - China may become a major economic power -You may leave if you like

6. WOULD

   • - Asking for permission (it's more formal - Request - Making arrangements - Invitation - Preferences)
     • - Would you mind if I brought a colleague? - Would you pass the salt. - Would three o’clock suit you? That’d be fine. - Would you like top lay golf this friday. - Would you prefer tea or coffee? I’d like tea, please.

7. SHALL

   • - Offer - Suggestion - Asking what to do
     • - Chris shall be happy to see you - Shall I help you with your baggage? - Shall we say 2:30, then? - Shall I do that or will you?
   • it form the future tense
     • It's much more common in the UK
       • it's more formal

8. SHOULD

   • - Obligation or recommendation action - Saying what's right
     • - I should call my parents more often - You shouldn’t work so hard

9. OUGHT TO

   • Synonym of "SHOULD"
     • it's more formal
       • Not used in interrogative phrases in the United States
   • - I ought to call my parents more often - They ought to work less

10. MUST

    • Necessity or Obligation
      • - You must read this book, it’s fantastic. - You must brush your teeth two times a day