Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
Reference Sheet
can
could
may
might
must
shall
should
will
would
Can
1. Expresses ability
I can ride a bike. (Having the power, ability, or capacity, I am able to ride a bike.)
2. Expresses permission
3. Expresses possibility
You can fly in a balloon with hot air. (Flying in a balloon is possible with hot air.)
4. Expresses contingency
If the committee can provide the food, then I will provide the drinks. (My providing the drinks is
contingent on the committee providing the food.)
5. Expresses requests
Can you pass me the salt? (I am requesting that you pass me the salt.)
Could
My grandfather could fly a plane. (My grandfather used to be able to fly a plane.)
2. Expresses permission
She could have taken the car. (It was permissible for her to take the car.)
3. Expresses suggestions
The child could not have gotten far. (It is not possible for the child to have gotten far.)
The entire building could explode. (It is probable that the entire building will explode.)
5. Expresses requests
Could you shut the door? (I am requesting that you shut the door.)
May
1. Expresses possibility
The bread may not turn out right. (It is a possibility that the bread will not turn out right.)
2. Expresses probability
The patient likely may never walk again. (It is probable that the patient will never walk again.)
May I borrow your computer? (Do I have permission to borrow your computer?)
Might
1. Expresses possibility
You might get hurt. (It is possible for you to get hurt.)
2. Expresses suggestions
You might add raisins to the cookies. (It is suggested that you add raisins to the cookies.)
3. Expresses commands
You might be more polite to customers. (It is commanded that you be more polite to customers.)
Must
1. expresses obligation
You must donate money to attend. (It is obligated that you donate money to attend.)
2. Expresses necessity
You must have a license to kill. (It is necessary for you to have a license to kill.)
Students must never enter the third floor. (It is prohibited for students to enter the third floor.)
A loose fan belt must be the problem. (It is deduced that a loose fan belt is the problem).
Shall
Should
They should take the interstate. (It is advised that they take the interstate.)
People with egg allergies should avoid omelets. (It is necessary that people with egg allergies
avoid omelets.
Espen should be in Chicago by now. (It is predicted that Espen is in Chicago now.)
Will
The train will arrive at noon tomorrow. (The train arrives in the future at noon tomorrow.)
2. Expresses commands
You will be nice to your little brother. (I command you to be nice to your little brother.)
3. Expresses suggestions
You will want to visit the museum. (It is suggested that you visit the museum.)
4. Expresses offers
I will pick up the pie for you. (I offer to pick up the pie for you.)
5. Expresses requests
Will you open the window? (It is requested that you open the window.)
Would
1. Expresses conditionality and contingency
If I were president, I would spend more on education. (My being president is the condition
necessary for my spending more on education.)
2. Expresses futurity including decisions, predictions, intentions, and promises within past tense
constructions
He said he would help tomorrow. (He said, "I will help tomorrow.")
4. Expresses suggestions
She would want to cook the sweet potatoes first. (It is suggested that she cook the sweat potatoes
first.)
5. Expresses offers
He would take your weekend shift. (He offers to take your weekend shift.)
Would you please pick up dessert? (I am requesting that you pick up dessert.)
He would always whine about everything. (He used to always whine about everything.)