1. MODAL VERBS
Modal Verbs are used to express ideas such as possibility, intention, obligation and
necessity. They are used with a main verb to form a sentence or a question. Modals
are not conjugated, have no tense, and cannot be used without a main verb.
can Should
could Must
may Will
might would
Shall ought to
CAN
The CAN indicates possibility or ability.
Examples
1. I can lift this box
2. He can speak English if he practices the exercises regularly.
3. He can attend the interview if he is well.
4. She can drive a car
5. We can go to the excursion.
COULD
“Could” is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make
suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences
as the conditional form of "can”.
Examples
1. I could run ten miles in my twenties.
2. John could go to jail for stealing the money.
3. Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city.
4. You could see a movie or go out to dinner.
5. I could come to your come
2. MAY
May is used to ask for formal permission and to suggest something to be
possible.
Examples
1. He may come here
2. you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner
3. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is disturbed or tired.
4. They may arrive Chennai today night.
5. They may complete this work today.
MIGHT
It is the past form of MAY.
Examples
1. They might give us a 10% discount.
2. Your purse might be in the living room
3. You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit
4. I believed that he might be honest
5. You might have visited Bangalore.
3. SHALL
When “shall” is used in the second or third person, it has the force of a
command, a promise
Examples
1. She shall be punished for his mistake..
2. I shall never forget where I came from
3. I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office
4. He shall become our next king
5. I shall send an invitation to you.
SHOULD
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice.
It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples
1. You should focus more on your family and less on work.
2. He should be more thoughtful in the decision-making process.
3. We should return the video before the video rental store closes.
4. You should be in the office by 7:00 AM
5. You should write the imposition.
MUST
"Must" is most commonly used to express the compulsion, necessity,
determination, duty, certainty of belief
Examples
1. A minister must be honest..
2. Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school
3. You must take some medicine for that cough.
4. I must complete the project by this week.
5. Everybody must obey the rules.
4. WILL
“Will” is use to express desire, preference, choice, or consent and express
the future
Examples
1. I'll do that for you if you like.
2. I will make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry..
3. He thinks it will rain tomorrow.
4. I will be there in your wedding.
5. She will reach the station at 9’o’ clock.
WOULD
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also
serves as the past form of the modal verb "will."
Examples
1. I knew that she would be very successful in her career.
2. If I were president, I would cut the cost of education..
3. He told me he would be here before 8:00.
4. I would like to become a doctor in my school days.
5. We would like to have a cup of coffee.
OUGHT TO
"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations also to express the
assumption or expectation.
Examples
1. You ought to stop smoking.
2. This stock ought to increase in value
3. She ought to have received the package yesterday.
4. As the secretary I ought to have attended that meeting.
