This document discusses modal verbs in English. It defines modal verbs as helping verbs and lists 10 modal verbs: can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must, and ought to. It then provides examples of different uses and meanings of each modal verb, including ability, permission, possibility, formal permission/prohibition, past tense forms, suggestions, predictions, advice, obligation, strong belief, and prohibition.

1. Modal Verbs
By:
Aornwara Nitkhosakul No.1 M.4/1
Boonyisa Boonrod No.3 M.4/1
Isaya Lorjisa-ard No.4 M.4/1

2. Modal verbs are part of helping verbs. Can,
Could , Will, Would , Shall, Should , May ,Might
, Must, Ought to are the 10 modal verbs.
• We use a modal verb before a second verb.
• Modal verbs are not followed by ‘to’
• Modal verbs can have more than one meaning
and usage.
Modal verbs + infinite v.

3. Can/could
Ability :
• She can speak six languages.
• I can't drive.
• My grandfather could play golf very well.
*COULD – is past tense of CAN, same meaning
• Could you ride a bike when you were small?

4. Can/could
Permission
• Could I leave early today, please? (polite)
• Can we swim in the lake?
• You can’t park here.

5. Can/could
Possibility
• You can catch that train at 10:43.
• He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery.
• I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day
before.

6. May/Might
Formal Permission/Prohibition
*We don’t usually use MIGHT
• Passengers may take one small bag on board
the plane.
• You may start your exam now.
• May I go now?

7. May/Might
Possibility
• We may go out dinner tonight.
• I might go to the concert.
*MAY: the outcome is MORE LIKELY to happen
**MIGHT: the outcome is LESS LIKELY
***Native speakers usually use MIGHT more
often that may

8. May/Might
Talking about the past: use MIGHT
Might + have + past participle
• He might have visited Italy before going to
England
Polite Suggestion
• You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our
special today.
• May I help you?

9. Will/would
• Use will when you want to talk about the
future
• Use will when you to talk about what people
want to do or are willing to do
• Use will when you want to make promises
and offers

10. Will /would
Would is the past tense form of will
• Use would when you want to talk about the
past.
• Use would when you want to talk about things
that are imagined rather than true.
• For politeness.

11. Will /Would
Polite request
• Will you open the window, please? It's very
hot in here.
• Would you mind if I sat here?
Habit behavior
• I'm not surprised you don't know what to do!
You will keep talking in class.
Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid

12. Shall/should
Make a suggestion
• Shall we dance?
• Shall I go now?
• Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
*shall is used with first person pronouns
(I and we)
• Should I call a doctor?
• You should see the doctor.

13. Shall/should
Prediction
• The proposal should be finished on time
• I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives
on time
Advice
• You should finish your work on time
• James shouldn’t teach him words like those

14. Ought to
Advice (to suggest an action or to show that it is
necessary)
• You ought to revise your lessons
• Margaret ought to exercise more
Probability
• Our team ought to win this match for today
• She ought to receive the package tonight.
**not usually used in questions or negative sentences

15. Must
Obligation
- what you think you yourself or other people or
things have to do
• I really must get some exercise.
• You must have a passport to cross the border.

16. Must
Express strong belief (almost 100% certain)
• She must be mad if he infidelity.
• Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His
French must be very good.
Prohibition
-not to be allowed to do (Must not /mustn’t)
• You must not smoke in the hospital.
• You must not drive over the speed limit.