This document provides a chart summarizing the different modal verbs in English and their common uses. It lists 14 modal verbs including can, may, must, should and others. For each verb it gives 1-2 examples to illustrate how that modal verb is used to express ideas like ability, permission, obligation, possibility and advice. The chart acts as a reference for learners to understand the core functions and applications of these important English modal verbs.
This document provides a chart summarizing the different modal verbs in English and their common uses. It lists 14 modal verbs including can, may, must, should and others. For each verb it gives 1-2 examples to illustrate how that modal verb is used to express ideas like ability, permission, obligation, possibility and advice. The chart acts as a reference for learners to understand the core functions and applications of these important English modal verbs.
This document provides a chart summarizing the different modal verbs in English and their common uses. It lists 14 modal verbs including can, may, must, should and others. For each verb it gives 1-2 examples to illustrate how that modal verb is used to express ideas like ability, permission, obligation, possibility and advice. The chart acts as a reference for learners to understand the core functions and applications of these important English modal verbs.
Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red. must logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He's been working all day long. must not prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital. ability I can swim. can permission Can I use your phone please? possibility Smoking can cause cancer. ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast. could polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something? possibility It could rain tomorrow! permission May I use your phone please? may possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow! polite permission Might I suggest an idea? might possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year. need not lack of necessity/absence of obligation I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. 50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache. should/ought to advice You should / ought to revise your lessons logical conclusion He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long. had better advice You 'd better revise your lessons