Modal Verbs
English Grammar
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs are used with a main verb to show, mood and ideas such as ability, possibility and permission.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
can
will
must
shall
may
could
would
ought to
should
might
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Can: Can is used
1) to express ability:
Ryan can speak French but he cannot speak German.
Superman can do things that ordinary people can’t.
2) to express request:
Can you help Sue?
Can I offer you something to drink?
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) to express permission:
Can I use your cell phone?
You can’t go out with Victor.
4) to express possible:
If the weather is perfect tomorrow, we can go on a picnic.
I can be ready by five.
I will be ready five.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
＊ Can is used to express a statement that is less uncertain than will.
5) be able to: be able to is used to describe an ability that a person will have in the future. My baby will be able to walk in a few months. I am busy but I will be able to talk to you in ten minutes.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Could: Could is used
1) to express abilities in the past:
Jason could do 50 push-ups in five minutes when he was young.
Jason could talk when he was four.
2) to express permission:
Could you lend me two grants?
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3)
4)
to express future possibility: it expresses more uncertainty than may
I could get an A or B in grammar. It depends on the final exam. could with present perfect tense is used to express something in the past may be real.
You could have been killed in that accident.
I could have won that game.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Shall: shall is used to express the simple future for the first person.
Shall we meet at the bus stop?
I shall never forget your help.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Will: Will is used
1) present to future tense:
Sean will leave tomorrow. She will be back in a few days.
If it rains, the soccer game will be put off.
2) express willing,
If you won’t go and help
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs are used with a main verb to show, mood and ideas such as ability, possibility and permission.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
can
will
must
shall
may
could
would
ought to
should
might
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Can: Can is used
1) to express ability:
Ryan can speak French but he cannot speak German.
Superman can do things that ordinary people can’t.
2) to express request:
Can you help Sue?
Can I offer you something to drink?
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) to express permission:
Can I use your cell phone?
You can’t go out with Victor.
4) to express possible:
If the weather is perfect tomorrow, we can go on a picnic.
I can be ready by five.
I will be ready five.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
＊ Can is used to express a statement that is less uncertain than will.
5) be able to: be able to is used to describe an ability that a person will have in the future. My baby will be able to walk in a few months. I am busy but I will be able to talk to you in ten minutes.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Could: Could is used
1) to express abilities in the past:
Jason could do 50 push-ups in five minutes when he was young.
Jason could talk when he was four.
2) to express permission:
Could you lend me two grants?
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3)
4)
to express future possibility: it expresses more uncertainty than may
I could get an A or B in grammar. It depends on the final exam. could with present perfect tense is used to express something in the past may be real.
You could have been killed in that accident.
I could have won that game.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Shall: shall is used to express the simple future for the first person.
Shall we meet at the bus stop?
I shall never forget your help.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Will: Will is used
1) present to future tense:
Sean will leave tomorrow. She will be back in a few days.
If it rains, the soccer game will be put off.
2) express willing,
If you won’t go and help