Modal Auxiliary Verbs: Overview

predicts a future action what we believe/think is true about now what we strongly feel is true about a situation something we can expect to happen( theres an feeling that we want it to happen) advice obligation

- Ill finish this work by tomorrow afternoon. - The food will be ready in about 25 minutes. - The phone is ringing. Thatll be my mom calling. - The food has only been cooking for 5 minutes. It wont be ready yet. - You walked to Polyglot? You must be joking! - The bill says R.O100. This cant be right! - The entire class should pass the test. - The pizza should arrive any minute now. - You should study harder if you want to pass the test. - You ought to listen more carefully to your teacher. - You had better practice speaking more. - You must listen to your mother. You musnt cheat on your test. You have to wear a seatbelt while driving. You dont have to wear a uniform in Polyglot. - I can speak English quite well. I could speak it by the time I was 8 years old. - I hope youll be able to speak English perfectly - It might rain in Seattle tomorrow. - I may go to Zanzibar next year. - You could be right. You might not be right. - May I go to the bathroom, please? - Can we use a dictionary for our test. - You cant/are not permitted to smoke here. - Ill help you carry those bags. - I wouldt do that. - She wont help you! - Can/Could/Will/Would you do me a favour?

ability a possibility that a situation will or can happen Permission willingness (want to/dont want to do something) request

for more in depth definitions see pp.147-149 of your SB