Modal verbs are indispensable tools in the English language, empowering us to articulate notions of ability, possibility, obligation, prohibition, and even to extend requests or extend offers. By harnessing the nuanced functionalities of modal verbs, we effortlessly navigate a realm of expression that encompasses what we can do, what might be achievable, what we must do, what we are forbidden from doing, and how we interact with others through invitations and propositions. As versatile linguistic companions, modal verbs enrich our communication by providing a succinct and nuanced framework for conveying a wide array of meanings and intentions.
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are an essential part of English grammar. They are used to express various meanings such as ability, possibility, obligation, prohibition, and making requests or offers. Modal verbs are typically followed by a verb in its bare infinitive form.
Modal Verbs and Their Usages:
- 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 on 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 your 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 goodbye 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.