English language

Modal auxiliary verbs

​The modal verbs are:

can, could, will, would, should, may, might, must, ought and shall







He should be here by now.

I could swim quite well when I was younger.
You mustn't blame yourself for this.
You might have discussed it with me first.
You can't be serious!
Could you open the window please?
Must you make so much noise?
We ought to be going



Modal auxiliary verbs as you can see are verbs which help other verbs to express a meaning







The negative is formed simply by adding "not" after the verb:

​

You should not do that.​

​

Questions are formed by inversion of the verb and subject:



Could you pick me up when I've finished?



WILL

I will go to the gym

Yo will be there

 



The negative forme is



I wont go to the gym

You wont be there



Questioning

Will you open the window, please? It's very hot in here.
Sign this, will you?

​

 

​
SHALL (The only time you do need to use it is in questions, when: Making offers)

Shall I fetch you another glass of wine?



Or making suggestions

Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

MAY & MIGHT

They are used to talk about possibilities in the past, present or future. 



She may be back in her office.
I may go shopping tonight.
England might win the World Cup.

 

They can also sometimes be used for talking about permission, but usually only in formal situations.

May I open a window? 



 

WOULD

As the past of will, for example in indirect speech

​

"The next meeting will be in a month's time"

becomes:

​
He said the next meeting would be in a month's time.

​

Polite requests and offers (a 'softer' form of will)

Would you like another cup of tea?
Would you give me a ring after lunch?

​

I'd expresses the abreviation for "I would"
I'd like the roast duck, please.

 

CAN & COULD

Talking about ability

Can you speak Mandarin? (present)
She could play the piano when she was five. (past)

 



Making requests

Can you give me bracelete?
Could you speak up a bit please? (slightly more formal, polite or 'softer')

 



Asking permission

Can I ask you a question?
Could I ask you a personal question? (more formal, polite or indirect)

Reported speech

Could is used as the past of can.

He asked me if I could pick him up after work.

 

Future probability

Could (NOT can) is sometimes used in the same way as might or may.



When I leave university I might travel around the world.

or

​



When I leave university I could travel around the world.

 

 



Present possibility

I think you could be right you know. (NOT can)

​

Remember that could is also understood as the past of the verb to can

 

MUST

Must is often used ​to indicate 'personal' obligation, strong advice and invitations



I really must get some exercise.
People must try to be more tolerant of each other.

You must come and visit me.

You must go and see the film.

 

 

SHOULD

Giving advice

I think you should go for the Alfa rather than the Audi.
You shouldn't be drinking if you're on antibiotics.
You shouldn't have ordered that chocolate dessert - you're not going to finish it.

Obligation: weak form of must

The university should provide more sports facilities.

 

Ought to

Ought to usually has the same meaning as should, particularly in affirmative statements in the present:

You should/ought to get your hair cut.

Should is much more common (and easier to say!), so if you're not sure, use should.