Modal
Use Summary |
Use |
Modals |
Examples |
Remarks |
| Probability | ///////////////////////// | //////////////////////////////////////////////////// | Degree of Certainty |
| Will | Anne will come late. | most certain | |
| Must | Anne must be coming late. | more certain | |
| Can/Should | Anne can be late. | quite certain | |
| May | Anne may be late. | less certain | |
| Might | Anne might be late. | least certain | |
| Capability | /////////////////////////// | //////////////////////////////////////////////////// | Tense |
| Can | Anne can job ten miles everyday. | present | |
| Could | Anne could run faster when she was younger. | past | |
| Be able to | Anne is able to cook Indian food. | present | |
| The police were able to save the drowning kid. | past | ||
| Suggestion | /////////////////////////// | //////////////////////////////////////////////////// | Tense |
| Must | You must talk to the teacher directly. | present | |
| Have to | John has to go see the doctor immediately. | present/past | |
| Should/Ought to | Anne should meet with the director before she makes a decision. | present | |
| Requests | /////////////////////////// | /////////////////////////////////////////////////// | Degree of politeness |
| Would | Would you open the window? | More polite | |
| Could | Could you sign here please? | Equally polite | |
| Will | Will you get me some sugar if you have a chance to stop at Tesco? | Less polite | |
| Can | Can you call John for me? | Least polite | |
| Permission | /////////////////////////// | ////////////////////////////////////////////////// | Use |
| May | May I go now? | Asking/Giving | |
| Can | Can I have a word with you? | Asking/Giving | |
| Prediction | Will | Anne will come tomorrow. | |
| Willingness | Will | You look so tired. I'll cook tonight. |
| Auxiliary Modal Verb Diagram |
Modal
Perfective Forms |