The document provides examples and definitions of uses for various English modal verbs including: can, be able to, can't, could, may, might, would, must, have to, need to, needn't, don't have to, mustn't, should, ought to, must have, may/might have, could have, couldn't have, would have, should/ought to have, shouldn't have, and needn't have. It also lists modal perfect forms and their uses indicating certainty, guesses, ability, willingness, criticism or regret regarding past actions. Exercises are provided to practice modal verb forms and uses.
2. MODAL EXAMPLES USES
CAN. Mary can run very fast. Ability.
Can I call you tonight?
Women’s sports can be exciting to Request.
watch.
Posibility.
BE ABLE TO. Her brother is able to skate very Ability.
well.
CAN’T. You can’t be 40 years old, you look Certainty that something is
much younger! impossible.
COULD. She could run fast when she was a Past ability.
child.
Could you help me with the
suitcases? Polite request.
You colud exercise and eat
healthier food. Polite suggestion.
It could be dangerous for women
to compete withmen.
Possibility.
MAY. It may rain tomorrow. Possibility.
May I join this team?
Polite equest.
3. MODAL EXAMPLES USES
MIGHT. She might with the Possibility.
gold medal in the
competition.
WOULD. Would you open Formal request.
the window,
please?
Would you like Offer.
sometihng to
drink?
MUST. You must train hard Obligation.
for the match.
She’s got a great Certainty that
job. She must be something is true.
very happy.
HAVE TO. I have to buy the Obligation,
tickets today. necessity.
NEED TO. You need to Obligation,
practise harder. necessity.
4. MODAL EXAMPLES USES
NEEDN’T. You needn’t bring Lack of
anything to the obligation.
party.
DON’T HAVE TO. I don’t have to Lack of
get up early obligation.
tomorrow.
MUSTN’T. You mustn’t Prohibition.
exceed the speed
limit.
SHOULD. You should try Advice/Opinion.
and get on well
with your
siblings.
OUGHT TO. You ought to Advice/Opinion.
warm up before
training.
5.
6. MODAL PERFECT EXAMPLES USES
Must have Linda has arrived Certainty that
late. She must have something was
been in a traffic true.
jam.
May / Might have. She may / might A guess about a
have taken the past action.
wrong bus.
Could have You could have Ability to have
asked the doctor done something
before talking that but in fact did not.
medicine.
Couldn’t have. He couldn’t have Certainty that
gone to the concert someting did not
because he was happpen.
doing a test.
Would have. I would have gone Willingness to have
to the party, but i done something
was too busy. but in fact could
not.
7. MODAL EXAMPLES USES
PERFECT
Should / You should / Criticism or
Ought to ought to have regret after an
have. warned me event.
earlier.
Shouldn’t He shouldn’t Criticism after
have. have forgotten an event.
about her
birthday.
Needn’t have. You needn’t An
have brought unnecessary
anything to my action in the
party. past.