This document discusses modal verbs in English. It provides examples of different modal verbs including can, could, must, have to, should, ought to, may, might, shall, will, would. It explains that modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", with the exception of "ought to". The document also categorizes examples of sentences using modal verbs into categories of ability, obligation, advice, permission, possibility, probability, and certainty. It concludes by providing two references used in creating the document.

1. by Miss Stefanie Herzberg

2. Modals
• Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive
without "to"
Examples:
– You must stop when the traffic lights turn red
– You should see to the doctor
– There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You
need not buy any.
• Exception:
– You ought to go to the doctor

3. Ability Can “I can help you now, if you like.”
“Paul can play the guitar very well.”
Could “When I was younger I could stay up all
night and not get tired.”
Obligation Must “I must stop when the traffic lights turn
red.”
Have to “I have to go now, or I’ll be late.”
Advice Should “You should revise your lessons.”
Ought to “You ought to revise your lessons.”
Permission Can “Can I use your phone, please?”
Could “Excuse me, could I just say
something?”
May “May I use your phone please?”

4. Possibility May “It may rain tomorrow.”
Might “I might come and visit you in America
next year, if I can save enough money.”
Could “It could rain tomorrow.”
Probability Should “He should be very tired after such
enormous work.”
Ought to “He ought to be very tired after such
enormous work.”
Certainty Must “He must be very tired after such
enormous work.”
Can’t “He can’t be on that bus, he was
supposed to ride that other one!”

5. Identify
• ability
• obligation
• advice
• permission
• possibility
• probability
• certainty
1. He can speak Chinese.
2. He should not be late.
3. Can I smoke here?
4. May I have another cup of tea?
5. We must say good-bye now.
6. Would you mind if I brought a
colleague with me?

6. References
• My English Pages. (2013). Modal Verb
and their Meaning. Retrieved from http://
www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/
grammar-lesson-modals.php

7. References
• My English Pages. (2013). Modal Verb
and their Meaning. Retrieved from http://
www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/
grammar-lesson-modals.php