A brief summary about the modal verbs

1. Modal verbs
Can
Could
Should
Must
May
Might

2. Modal verbs
Can
To express
ability
To ask for
ability
To offer or ask
for permision
To express
possibilities
I can play the piano
Can you speak English?
I can watch your dog
while you’re on vacation.
Houses can flood in this
region during rainstorms
Could
It is used in the past tense

3. Modal verbs
Should
To ask for
advice
To give an
advice
To describe
something that is
necessary but you
don’t want
To express
expectations
Should I meet you in my apartment?
You should do your homework
She should brush her teeth
but she doesn’t want to
He should be back at 10 p.m.

4. Modal verbs
May
To express
ability
To ask for
ability
You may pour yourself a cup of tea
May I sit besides you?
Is it used in a polite situation
To describe
a possibility
We may go downtown tonight.

5. Modal verbs
Might She might pass the exam.
May and Might are very similar although May is used in a more formal situation.
To describe
a possibility

6. Modal verbs
Must
Similar to
Have to or
Need to
To express a
suggestion
You must finish your homework
by Wednesday
You must see the
Louvre while you’re
in Paris.
Is it used in a polite situation
To make a
correct
supposition
He must be smart because he
studied engineering