The document discusses the meanings and uses of the modal verbs "could", "would", and "should". It explains that "could" is used to express future possibilities or past abilities, "would" is used for hypothetical or unreal situations, and "should" is used for advice or suggestions. It provides examples of sentences using each modal verb correctly and has participants practice identifying the appropriate modal verb for different sentences.

1. Lunch & Learn
“could,” “would” and “should”

2.  Once I get that job, I think I could afford
a new car!
 If I had the money, I would buy a new car.
 You really should buy a new car!
What’s the meaning of the following
sentences?

3.  Once I get that job, I think I could afford
a new car.
The speaker believes he /she may be able to buy a
new car in the future.
Could is used to express future
possibilities

4.  When I was younger, I could run a mile
in 10 minutes.
The speaker talks about his abilities in the past
(when he was young).
Could is also used to express abilities in
the past

5.  If I had the money I would buy a new car.
The speaker is expressing an action that is
dependant on a condition that does not exist (he
doesn’t have the money).
Would is used to express unreal
(hypothetical) situations

6.  You really should buy a new car!
The speaker is making a suggestion.
Should is used to ask for or give advice
and suggestions

7. Don’t use “to” after should, could,
and would:
 Once I get that job, I think I could afford a
new car!
 If I had the money, I would buy a new car.
 You really should buy a new car!

8. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
1. Tom has helped you a lot.
You ________ pay him for
some of the work he has done.

9. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
1. Tom has helped you a lot.
You should pay him for some of
the work he has done.

10. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
2. I ________ talk to him about
the job, but I am too nervous.

11. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
2. I would talk to him about the
job, but I am too nervous.

12. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
3. You have a big test
tomorrow. You really _______
study for it!

13. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
3. You have a big test
tomorrow. You really should
study for it!

14. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
4. I _______ not help him
because I didn’t have the
money!

15. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
4. I could not help him because
I didn’t have the money!

16. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
5.If I were you I ________ be
more careful!

17. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
5. If I were you I would be more
careful!

18. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
6. Do you think you ________
help me if I payed you for your
time?

19. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
6. Do you think you could help
me if I paid you for your time?

20. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
7. I _______ easily wake up
before 6:00 am when I was a
child!

21. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
7. I could easily wake up before
6:00 am when I was a child!

22. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
8. You look very tired. You
_________ go to bed earlier.

23. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
8. You look very tired. You
should go to bed earlier.

24. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
9. I need your opinion. _______
I attend this university?

25. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
9. I need your opinion. Should I
attend this university?

26. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
10. I think you __________
help your friend move to his
new apartment.

27. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
10. I think you should help your
friend move to his new
apartment.

28. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
11. Train harder. I think you
________ run a lot faster!

29. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
11. Train harder. I think you
could run a lot faster!

30. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
12. I am busy now. Do you think
you _______ come back
tomorrow?

31. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
12. I am busy now. Do you think
you could come back
tomorrow?

32. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
13. If you helped me, I
_________ know more
Chinese.

33. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
13. If you helped me, I would
know more Chinese.

34. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
14. Bobby ________ have
washed all the dishes, but he
had a bad headache and had to
take a nap.

35. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
14. Bobby would have washed
all the dishes, but he had a bad
headache and had to take a
nap.

36. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
15. You _______ shovel the
driveway before your mother
gets home.

37. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
15. You should shovel the
driveway before your mother
gets home.

38. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
16. Last week I ________ do
10 chin-ups! Now I can only do
6 or 7!

39. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
16. Last week I could do 10
chin-ups! Now I can only do 6
or 7!

40. “could”, “would” or “should” ?
Give your examples!

41. Questions?
Amrita
@ agil@myenglishonline.ca
englishonlinemb10
Blaine
@ broberts@myenglishonline.ca
blaine_myenglishonline
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42. Thank you for attending!
See you next time!
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