Modal Verbs

What for
What for
Modal verbs
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality – that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation.
A modal verb is a type ofauxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality – that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation.




Can | 1. They can control their own budgets. 2. We can’t fix it. 3. CanI smoke here? 4. Can you help me? 5. I can drive | Ability / PossibilityInability / ImpossibilityAsking for permission |
Could | 1. Could I borrow your dictionary? 2. Could you say it againmore slowly? 3. We could try to fix it ourselves. 4. I think we could have another World War. 5. He gave up his old job so he could work for us. | Asking for permission.RequestSuggestionFuturepossibility |
May | 1. May I have another cup of coffee? 2. China may become a major economic power. 3. May I stay? 4. That may be a problem 5. You can now board the are plane | Askingfor permissionFuture possibility |
Might | 1. We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. 2. They might give us a 10% discount. 3. The weather might improve. 4. If Ientered the contest, I might actually win. 5. You might have tried the cheese cake. | Present possibilityFuture possibility |
Have to | 1. I have to clean my room. 2. You have to get a newbook. 3. We have to pick up the laundry. 4. They have to have a notebook. 5. She will have finish the other books before the final exam | It´s decline in the present tense (simple present). |Don'thave to | 1. I don't have to work on Saturday. 2. You don't have to do that. 3. We don't have to clean the car. 4. They don't have to eat pizza. 5. I don't have to work tomorrow |Is used to express absence of obligation |
Should | 1. You should travel by Bus 2. You should read two hours daily for your exam. 3. You should wash your clothes yourself. 4. Everyone...