6. Modals are helping verbs that are used
with a main verb to express probability,
permission, ability, necessity, etc.
Modals are parts of verbs that are usually
not used separately.
7. It is usually used between the
noun/pronoun and the verb.
8.
9.
10. a) Uses of ‘can’:
•It is used to express ability, to ask for permission or whether
something is possible or not, and to make a polite request.
•It can also be used to indicate some action which might happen in
the future.
Examples:
1. Ability - She can drive a car.
2. Ask for permission - Can I borrow your umbrella?
3. Possibility - Do you think we can win the match?
4. Indicating future action – If it doesn’t rain, we can go to play
outside.
11. b)Uses of ‘could’:
•‘Could’ is the past form of’ ‘can’. It is used to express an ability or a possibility
that was possible in the past.
•It is also used to talk about something that we wish to happen, but is actually
not possible.
•It can be used to describe an action that has the possibility to take place but
actually didn’t occur.
•We use ‘can’ and ‘could’ both to make a polite request, to frame a question,
or to give suggestions.
Examples:
1. Ability:When I was in school, I could practice playing football for hours.
2. Probability:I wish I could fly like a bird.
3. Possibility:I could have won the quiz if I had studied harder.
4. Suggestion: Could you please help me with the math problem?
12. c)Uses of ‘may’:
•‘May’ is usually used to talk about the possibility of
something happening right away.
•It is used to express permission or make a polite
request.
Examples:
1. You may get selected for the tournament.
2. May I ask you a question?
13. d)Uses of ‘might’:
•It is used to talk about an action that has a high
possibility of happening.
•It is also used to describe an uncertain future action.
Examples:
1. We might go to watch a movie today.
2. My father might attend the parent-teacher meeting.
3. I might have had junk food last night, and my
stomach is upset today.
14. e)Uses of 'must':
•‘Must’ is used to give orders to someone.
•It is also used to express an obligation to someone.
•Another use of ‘must’ is to PREDICT action.
Examples:
1. All the students must bring their textbooks to the
class.
2. You must brush your teeth before sleep.
3. You must buy the coffee maker. It is great.
4. You look so tired. You must have slept late last night.
15. f)Uses of 'shall':
•It is used to show an action that will take place in the
future.
•We use it to express determination.
•It is used to talk about an intention about an action that
will happen in the future.
Examples:
1. Tomorrow, I shall be going to Mumbai to attend a
meeting.
2. They shall apologize for what they did.
16. g)Uses of 'should':
•The modal verb ‘should’ is used to give advice or
suggestions.
•It is also used to describe a probable situation.
Examples:
1. He should call his father.
2. They should come to the party.
17. h)Uses of 'will':
•‘Will’ is used to talk about an action that will happen in the near
future.
•We generally use ‘will’ to ask for information about certain
actions in the future.
•It can be used to make a request.
•It is used to refer to an action or situation that will surely take
place in the future.
Examples:
1. They will visit my house tomorrow.
2. Will you go to the picnic?
3. Will you please cook tonight?
4. We will get snow in Kashmir in February.
18. There are some modals that are used along with the
word ‘to’.
Example:
a)‘Ought to’-Used to express advice.
Example:
We ought to drink a lot of water.
b)‘Need to’-Used to express necessity.
Example:
You need to do exercise regularly.
c) ‘Used to’-Used to express habitual action in the past.
Example:
I used to enjoy a walk here in the evening.
