Presentation by

Kamal Kumar, PGT English

WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS ?

Can
Could
May
Might
Shall
Will
Would
Should
Ought to
Must

They are Auxiliary verbs that help

the main verb to provide additional
and specific meaning / feeling.
They are called auxiliary because
they help other verb.

HOW TO USE MODAL?

Example :

Ram can play football.

Modals are always followed by infinitive (Basic

form of the verb) without the use of to :

MODAL FOR PERMISSION

May

Formal (to superiors)

May I come in?

Can

Informal (to friends &

relatives)

You can go now.

Could

Polite Request

Could I do it for you ?

For asking things

(Informal)

Will you pass on the sauce

Would
Will

bottle, please?

MODAL FOR PROBABILITY

May
Can
Could

Probability, Likelihood, It may rain today. (Future)

Guess
Possibility
That can be the Ganga.
Present, Future
Possibility

Dont take an overdose of

sleeping pills. It is very

dangerous. You could easily

Might

Weak Possibility

Could

Past possibility

have

kill yourself.
The Story Might be true.(as
well, if)

He could have found a better

house if he had tried. (But he
did not try)

MODAL FOR ABILITY

Can

Could

Ability resulting
from physical
power or
capacity,
knowledge or
skill

I can lift this box.

Ability in the
Past

In his young age, Sunil could bowl at

He is over sixty but can read without

glasses.

She can design beautiful book

covers.

100 miles per hour.

MODAL FOR NECESSITY,

COMPULSION
Must /

Necessity
Have to (Present /
Future)
Have to Necessity ( All
tenses)
/ have
got to

You must do your duties.

All schools had to be closed because
of snow fall. (past)

This letter has to be signed by the

Principal.(Present)

You will have to be present in the

court.(Future)
Every student should take part in

Could

Suggestion /
Advice
Past suggestion
(Which was not
followed)
Suggestion

Ought

Moral obligation

You ought to respect your parents.

Should
Should
have

to

CCA activities.
They should have carefully read the

terms and conditions before signing

the agreement. (But they did not.)
We could go for a long walk.

MODAL FOR WISH

May

Blessing

May you live long !

Would

Desire Wish

I would be a teacher.

MODAL FOR SOME OTHER

EXPRESSIONS
Will
Shall
Will

Shall

Must
not
Will
not

Intention
(I,we) invitation,
proposal
(I,we)
willingness,
determination,
promise
(You, they, he,
she, it, name)
Order,
threatening,
command
Prohibition (for
others)
Refusal (for self)

We will take the examination next

year.
Shall we go for a movie.
I will do it for you.
I will do or die.

I will reward you for your work.

You shall do it today only.

You must not smoke here.

I will not eat non-veg. dishes.