Modal Verbs

MODAL VERBS OVERVIEW


|VERB |Use |Example |
|CAN |Ability|I can play the guitar. |
| |Opportunity |We can watch TV in the evenings.|
| |Request |Can you help me, please? |
| |Offer of help|Can I help you? |
| |Permission |You can enter now.|
| |Asking permission |Can I ask a question? |
| |General possibility|Maths can be fun. |
| |Impossibility |The story can’t be true.|
|COULD |Past ability |He could play the guitar when he was six. |
| |Possible ability|If I had a camera, I could take a photo. |
| |Suggestion |We could meet later.|
| |Request |Could you help me please? |
| |Asking permission|Could I ask a question? |
| |Past permission |You could park here years ago....