Modal verbs

​

Can

Ability

I can play the piano very well.

Permission

Can I go now?

Possibility

It can be a very good day tomorrow.

Offer

I can help you with this homework. Don’t worry!

Request

Can you please pass me the salt?

​

Could

Ability in the past

I could play the piano well when I was 9.

Polite permission

Excuse me, could I come in?

Possibility

A hailstorm could come here tomorrow.

Polite offer

No problem. I could give you a lift.

Polite request

Could you please move to the next slide?

​

May

Permission

May I leave early?

Possibility

Astronauts may discover life in other planets.

​

Might

Polite permission

Might I take you home?

Possibility

I might visit him tomorrow if the weather is nice.

​

Must

Obligation

You must do homework.

Certainty

He must be at the cinema now. He told me about that yesterday.

Mustn't

Prohibition

You mustn’t play here. It’s dangerous.

​

Will

Prediction

The weather forecast predicts that it’ll rain tonight.

Promise

I’ll finish all the homework by Friday.

Spontaneous decision

I’ll lend you some money.

Request/ demand

Will you please give me that book?

​

Would

Used as the past form of “will”

My dad said that he would give me some toys on my birthday.

Polite request/ demand

Would you mind closing the door, please?

​

Shall

Prediction

This time tomorrow I shall be in London.

Offer/ suggestion

Shall we discuss this further with him?

​

Should

Advice

You should see the doctor. It’s swollen.

Prediction/ expectation

The project should be done before May.

Polite suggestion

Should I call her to say sorry?

​

Ought to

Obligation

You ought to say good bye to your parents when you leave.

Advice

You ought to sleep early. You look really tired.

​

Needn't

Used to talk about something not necessary

You needn’t give him any advice. He won’t listen.