Modal Verbs

Posted on by annisadewi17

Modal verbs are a very important of the English language. The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express various things like ability, obligation, possibility, and so on.

  1. Can

To express ability, permission, request, offer, suggestion, possibility.

Example :

  1. I can play piano
  2. Can I go to the bookstore ?
  3. Can you wait a moment, please ?
  4. Can we visit Nina at Saturday ?
  5. It can get very hot in Arizona.
  6. Could

To express ability, permission, polite question, polite request, polite offer, polite suggestion, possibility

Example :             

  1. I can speak mandarin
  2. Could I open the window ?
  3. Could I go to the cinema, please ?
  4. Could you accompany me to the bank ?
  5. Could I choose this book ?
  6. It could get very hot in Montana.
  7. Shall

To give suggestion

Example :

  1. Shall I carry your bag ?
  2. You shall take this notes
  3. Shall we say 1.30 then?
  4. Shall I do that or will you?
  5. We shall return the books this week end.
  6. Should

To give advice and obligation.

Example :

  1. You should drive carefully in bad weather.
  2. You should switch off the light when you leave the room.
  3. You should to stop smoking
  4. I think we should check everything again.
  5. Profits should increase next year.
  6. Will

Use for wish, request, demand, order  (less polite than would) and plan.

Example :

  1. Will you please shut the door ?
  2. I will go to Palembang
  3. Will you come to my party ?
  4. I think it will rain on Sunday.
  5. She’s strange, she’ll sit for hours without talking.
  6. Would

Use for wish, habits (in the past), request, preferences.

Example :

  1. Would you shut your mouth , please ?
  2. Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.
  3. Would you pass the sugar please?
  4. Would you like to play golf this Friday?
  5. Would you prefer tea or coffee?
  6. May

Use for possibility, permission, polite suggestion.

Example :

  1. It may rain today
  2. May I go to the Pondok Indah Mall ?
  3. May I help you ?
  4. May I borrow your dictionary ?
  5. May I have another cup of tea ?
  6. Might

Use for possibilty, permission.

Example :

  1. You might meet your dad .
  2. You might go home now
  3. She may be back in her office because the lecture finished ten minutes ago.
  4. We’d better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.
  5. They might give us a 25% discount.
  6. Must

Use for necessity, prohibition, recommendation.

Example :

  1. I must go to the museum today.
  2. You must be tired
  3. You must see the new book from Dewi Lestari
  4. You must studying now, for examination tomorrow.
  5. I think you really must make more of an effort.