:
s ing ed
to
... )ought to (should) have to (must
Examples
Modal
Uses
Can
To ask for, give or refuse permission.
Can I leave early this evening? Of course you can.
.
To talk about ability.
He can swim very well, but he can't drive.
)
)
To make requests and offers.
?Can I get you a coffee
To express possibility.
You can see from here.
)
) .
To make deductions about the present and the past.
He can't have arrived there already; he's only just left.
.
?Could I borrow the car this evening
It could rain this evening. They could have stolen the money.
) . .
They could speak Mandarin well when they were children.
.
He may be late.
.
?May I borrow the car this evening
To indicate possibility.
To ask for and give permission.
Could
May
Might
( .
)
Will
To make requests
Will you send me the book, please?
To agree to something.
I will help you if I have time.
.
To make offers/to invite.
Will you join us for dinner?
To refuse to do something.
I will never speak to him again.
.
For spontaneous decisions.
I'll help you.
.
In conditional sentences.
I will go if you buy the tickets.
.
To make assumptions about the present and future.
He'll be home by now.
.
Would
To make requests.
To give advice.
To make invitations.
In conditional sentences.
Should, Shall,
Ought to
Have to, Must
To give advice.