MODAL VERBS

• special verbs which behave very irregularly and that are used to indicate modality – ability,
possibility, likelihood, probability, permission, and obligation.
• They are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the
sentence
• Modal verbs are sometimes referred to as
• Modal Auxiliary verbs because they help other verbs
LIST OF MODAL VERBS
• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Must
• Shall
• Should
• Will
• Would
• Ought to

You

He
Modal Verb Infinitive
She
(can /should, etc.) (without TO)
It

We

They
CAN If you won’t go and help him, I will.
1) to express ability: I will wash the dishes if you cook.
Ryan can speak French but he WOULD
cannot speak German. 1) as the past tense of will:
Superman can do things that She said she would buy dinner on
ordinary people can’t. her way home.
2) to express request: I believed it would rain so I brought
Can you help Sue? my raincoat.
Can I offer you something to drink? 2) to express polite request:
3) to express permission: Would you please take off your
Can I use your cell phone? coat?
You can’t go out with Victor. Would you mind turning the radio
4) to express possibility: off?
If the weather is perfect tomorrow, SHOULD
we can go on a picnic. 1) to give advice and opinions
I can be ready by five. You are driving too fast; you should
slow down a little bit.
COULD You have gained a lot of weight. You
1) to express abilities in the past: should go on a diet.
Jason could talk when he was four. 2) to express expectations:
2) to express permission: Are you ready? The taxi should be
Could I leave the classroom? here soon.
3) to express future possibility: Twenty dollars is enough. It
I could get a bad final mark. It shouldn’t cost more than that.
depends on the next exam. 3) to suggest a less strong possibility
4) could with present perfect tense is If you should pass the bakery, can
used to express something in the you buy some bread?
past may be real. Should with present perfect tense
You could have been killed in that means something in the past should not
accident. be done.
I could have won that game. The baby is crying. You shouldn’t
SHALL have talked so loudly.
1) to express the simple future for the first She is angry. You shouldn’t have
person. come back so late.
• Shall we meet at the bus stop? MUST and HAVE TO
• I shall never forget your help. 1) express something is necessary and
essential
WILL You must pay by cash.
1) present to future tense: You have to drive on the right in
Sean will leave tomorrow. She will France.
be back in a few days. 2) Students have to wear uniform.
If it rains, the soccer game will be must not is used to express
put off. something is not permitted or allowed.
2) express willing,
 You mustn’t smoke, eat and drink in You must not drink and drive.
the museum. 3) not have to is used to express
You must not drink and drive. something that is not to be done
3) not have to is used to express necessarily.
something that is not to be done We don’t have to get up early on
necessarily. Saturday.
We don’t have to get up early on She doesn’t have to live in the hotel.
Saturday. She can live with us.
She doesn’t have to live in the hotel. MIGHT
She can live with us. 1) to express possibility in the present or
MAY in the future.
1) express something is necessary and Ashley might be in the library. I am
essential not sure.
You must pay by cash. George might come as well.
You have to drive on the right in He may come.
France. He might come. (the chance that he
2) Students have to wear uniform. comes is less likely than may)
must not is used to express 2) might with present perfect tense
something is not permitted or allowed. means speculation about the past.
You mustn’t smoke, eat and drink in Edward is late. He might have
the museum. missed his bus or he might have overslept.
Exercise
1. My son ___ be home by now. Where can he be?
a. Have to b. Would c. Should d. Could
2. I think your thumb is broken. You ___ go to the emergency room.
a. Might b. could c. ought to d. can
3. If you are interested in losing weight, you ______ try this new diet.
a. Could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to
4. Johnnie’s fallen down the stairs! I ________ call an ambulance!
a. Will b. might c. may d. ought to
5. You _______ come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.
a. Has to b. must c. needn’t d. can’t
6. Children ________ be accompanied by an adult at the zoo.
a. Ought to b. must c. would d. mustn’t
7. You _________ talk during tests. It’s forbidden!
a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. couldn’t d. ought to
8. I can feel the heat. We _________ be near the fire.
a. Can b. would c. mustd. have to
9. They ________ hear him because he was whispering.
a. Wouldn’t b. mustn’t c. shouldn’t d. couldn’t
10. You’ve never heard of Britney Spears! You ________ be serious!
a. Must b. had to c. can’td. shouldn’t
11. __________ you like to have dinner with me tonight?
a. Could b. may c. should d. would
12. You _________ let him hear about the party tomorrow. It’s a surprise!
a. mustn’t b. wouldn’t c. couldn’t d. can
13. __________ I speak to the Chief of Police, please?
a. Must b. May c. Would d. Need
14. He has arrived late. He _______ missed the bus
a. Must have b. Should havec. Could have d. must