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Modals

Last Updated on July 13, 2023 By Mrs Shilpi Nagpal

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1 Modals

1.1 (1) Can Modal

1.2 (2) Could Modal

1.3 (3) May Modal

1.4 (4) Might Modal

1.5 (5) Shall Modal

1.6 (6) Should Modal

1.7 (7) Will Modal

1.8 (8) Would Modal

1.9 (9) Must Modal

1.10 (10) Ought To Modal

Modals

Modals or modal verbs or modal auxiliary verbs or modal auxiliaries are special
verbs that behave irregularly in English.

They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it.
They never change their form. You can’t add “s”, “ed”, “ing”.

Modal verbs are used to express certain hypothetical conditions, such as advice,
capability, requests, permission, ability, obligation, prohibition, possibility,
probability, willingness etc.
Examples of Modals are: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must ,
ought to , need , be to, have to , used to etc.

(1) Can Modal

It is used to express permission, possibility, ability, capacity, polite request, doubt,

offer.

Examples

Permission

1) Can I go to the washroom?

2) Can I use your phone, please?

3) Can I go for shopping today?

4) Can we go for river Rafting?

5) Can I eat Pizza today?

Possibility

1) Anyone can be the culprit.

2) Smoking can cause cancer.

3) You can catch that train at 9:00 A.M.

4) He can guess why she is happy.

5) There can be a fire in the factory.

Ability

1) You can achieve your goal by regular practice.

2) Tom can write in many languages.

3) I can play guitar very well.

4) We can perform very well in the competition.

5) She can bake very delicious cakes.

Request

1) Can you please help me in solving this question?

2) Can you wait a moment, please?

3) Can I have your phone number?

4) Can you please get me a glass of water?

5)Can you please switch off the light?

Doubt

1) Can you eat an entire pizza?

2) It can be very cold here in winter.

3) Can she participate in the quiz today?

4) Can he drive the car for such a long distance?

5) Can you secure will in English this time?

Offer

1) Can I get some water for you?

2) I can lend you my car till tomorrow.

3) Can I help you in finishing this project?

4) Can I do something for you?

5) If you like, I can carry vegetable bags for you.

Suggestion

1) Can we visit Zoo at the weekend?

2) If you want, we can go for vacations next week.

3) You can apply ointment on your bruises.

4) In order to reach early, you can book a taxi.

5) You can come to my house whenever you are free.

(2) Could Modal

Could is a modal verb used to express possibility, past ability, and to make
suggestions and requests.

Examples

Ability in the past 1) I could smell something burning.

2) I could play the piano when I was a child.

3) He could play football very well when he was a child.

4) Neha could drive perfectly when she was 16 years old.

5) I could speak four language when I was 10 years old.

Polite request 1) Could you lend me some money?

2) Could you please tell me where the rest room?

3) Could you please make dinner tonight as I am not feeling well?

4) Could you please repeat the question?

5) Could you open the door please?

Permission 1) Could I please use your phone?

2) Could I please go to the Park?

3) Could I ask few questions related to Maths?

4) Could I borrow your notes for two days?

5) Could I speak to you for few minutes.

Possibility 1) Extreme heat could cause a shortage of water in some areas.

2) He could go to jail for stealing the necklace.

3) We could write a letter to the Principal.

4) A lot of accidents could be prevented.

5) You could have called her.

Suggestion 1) You could see a movie or go out to dinner.

2) If you want, we could go to a movie tonight.

3) I could help you with homework.

4) They could go to their house if they are free.

5) If you had come with me, we could have had fun.

(3) May Modal

The modal verb “may” is used in English grammar to express possibility,

permission, or a request for permission. When used to express possibility, “may” is
used to indicate an uncertain chance that something will happen in the future.

Examples

Possibility 1) She may be at the office.

2) There may be other reasons that she knows.

3)This food may produce a rancid smell.

4) I may read a book today.

5) He may be working for us.

Permission 1) May I come into the classroom?

2) May I go there for sometime?

3) May I speak to Miss Tina, Please?

4) You may sit in the front seat of the car.

5) You may have another pizza piece if you want.

Request 1) May I have the bill, please?

2) May I sit at the next seat?

3) May I help you in doing this work?

4) May I have some water, please?

5) May I use your phone?

Wish 1) May you have a happy and safe journey.

2) May you both have a Happy Married life.

3)May you blessed with a little one.

4)We’ve had great success this year; may we continue to do so for years to come.

5)May you both have a long, happy life together.

(4) Might Modal

Might is a modal verb commonly used to express possibility, make suggestion or
request. It is also often used in conditional sentences. We use might when we are
not sure about something in the present or future.

Possibility 1) She might go for a party today.

2) Meera might go for the movie tomorrow.

3) Your phone might be in the drawing room.

4) Rohan might like playing cricket.

5) It might get late so take your lunch.

Suggestion 1) You might try this new recipe.

2) You might want to take a cup of coffee.

3) You might try these new question bank.

4)You might have caught a taxi on time.

5) If it is an infection, you might need an antibiotic.

Condition 1) If I didn’t have to work, I might go with you.

2) If I participate in the competition, I might win.

3) If you work hard, you might score well.

4) If I don’t have work, I might go for an outing.

5)They might come to school if they are well.

Request 1) Might I borrow your book.

2)Might I ask who has been invited to the party?

3) He asked if he might borrow the crockery.

4) Might I take your phone for a call?

5) Might I have a coffee?

(5) Shall Modal

Shall is a modal verb used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in
sentences with “I” or “we,” and is often found in suggestions, promise, offer,
confirmation, instruction.

Suggestion 1) Shall we begin the debate ?

2) Shall I get tickets for the concert?

3) Shall I call you after the classes ?

4) Shall we book a cab for home?

5) Shall I close the window as it is windy outside?

Promise 1) I shall be there at sharp 7:00 a.m.

2) I shall take care of my grandmother.

3) Don’t worry, I shall make all the arrangements.

4) We shall remember this day forever.

5) I shall get you a new dress for your birthday.

Offer 1) Shall I carry that heavy bag for you.

2) Shall I make dinner tonight for everyone?

3) Shall I open the bottle?

4) Shall I wait for you?

5) Shall I make the marriage arrangements for you?

Confirmation1) I shall meet you at the Cafe after office.

2) We shall know the results of the exam next week.

3) Geetika shall turn 5 next week.

4) We shall be here at eight tomorrow.

5) Next year, I shall buy a new car.

Instruction 1) What shall I do with your parcel, when it arrives?

2) Candidates shall remain in their seats until all the papers have been collected.

3) He is determined that you shall succeed.

4) You shall not lie to your elders.

5) Students shall not enter here.

(6) Should Modal

Should is used to give advice, to make recommendations, to express obligation and

expectation.

Advice 1) You should try to focus more on your speaking skills.

2) You shouldn’t smoke as it is harmful for health.

3) You should start working hard for the exams.

4) You should have done more practice before the event.

5) You should try to lose weight to remain healthy.

Obligation 1) We should report the incident.

2) I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM.

3) You should be wearing your seat belt while driving.

4) He should have been more careful.

5) We should return the book before the Library closes.

Probability/ Expectation 1) Mehak should be at home now, so you can call her.

2) Sarah should be he here in an hour’s time.

3) The weather should get better soon.

4) By now, they should already be in an interview.

5) This shouldn’t be John’s mark sheet.

(7) Will Modal

Will is a modal verb used with promises, voluntary actions, to make predictions
about the future. It is used to form future tenses, to express willingness or ability, to
make requests or offers, to complete conditional sentences, or to issue commands.

Request 1) Will you take the parcel for me , please?

2) Will you help me with my Chemistry assignment?

3) Will you water the plants while I am away.

4) Will you call when you get free?

5) Will you land me some money?

Order 1) Will you stop asking such silly question!

2) Will you stop making that irritating noise!

3) You will do as you are told!

4) Will you be quiet!

Willing 1) I will wash my plates after finishing my meal.

2) I will help you in arranging these files.

3) I will accept your offer.

4) We will get up early morning and then go to beach.

5) I will make arrangements for you.

Future1) We will go for a movie tomorrow.

2) They will visit their grandmother’s house next week.

3) How long will you be staying In Goa?

4) By next year all the deals will be finalised.

5) I will be a Senior citizen in March.

Action 1) I will catch the bus to reach the work place.

2) I will not be coming for the dinner.

3) John will play Football match next Sunday.

4) I will take these books with me.

5) None of your tricks will work on me.

Question 1) Will we have a test in Maths class?

2) Will there be holiday tomorrow?

3) Will she study harder for the next exam?

4) Will they join us for party?

5) Will she the answer?