Modals = Auxiliary Verbs (=supporting/helping)

Over generalize = Globalization (is) might/could/may be the main reason for the loss of

local market.

Could, would, can may, should, might, will, ought to, must, have to

Uses of Modals

• In making recommendation and suggestions; giving advice

A. Might – tentative (not a strong) suggestion = polite, less direct

It might be a good idea to start computer classes.

You might like our bakery shop.

B. Could – suggestion (higher in nature than ‘might’)

We could bring these utensil with us.

They could make efforts to improve their services.

C. Should/Ought to = a firm (=strong) advice

Mona should/ought to work hard to get a good score.

He should go to the market immediately.

D. Must/Have to = a very strong advice

People must/have to follow governmental rules.

Seat belts must be worn while driving.

• To express possibility/probability, predictions/speculations

A. Can/Cannot = possible/ not possible

Eating junk food leads to obesity. = surety

Eating junk food can lead to obesity. = possibility

B. May/Might/Could = express uncertainty (interchangeably)

People might/could/may stop littering if there are more litter bins.

 C. Should/ought to/is likely to = probably happen or something is true or not.

Having a degree is likely to/should/ought to enable you to earn a higher

salary.

D. Will/Will not = certainly happen or not

Manufacturing cheaper cars will not solve our environmental issues.

Manufacturing electric cars will solve our environmental issues.

Building more railways will improve our economy.

E. Must = quite certain

Increase in population must be the main reason of scarcity (=downward

trend) of food.

• Obligation; Necessity

A. Must/have to/need to

People need to/must/have to be aware of the amount of energy they use in

their home.

Note: ‘Must’ has no past formation. Instead we use had to/needed to

In the 19th century. Many children had to/needed to work hard to help their

parents financially.

• Ability

Can/Cannot = ability to do or cause something (or not)

Reading books alone cannot solve the problem during exams.

A better healthcare means the elderly can remain active for a longer duration.

• Permission

Can/be allowed to = permission to do something

In some universities, students can/are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week.

 Past = could (not) / was/were (not) allowed to

In India, women could not vote until 1947.

Future = we do not use ‘can’ = instead we use ‘will be allowed to’

People will be allowed to easily travel different countries if they have Indian

passport.

• Would = past event – polite request – hypotheses

Past event = We had a terrible night. My son would not go to sleep.

Polite request = Dad, would you help me tonight in this work?

Hypotheses (imagine a situation) = It would be very expensive to stay in a 5-star

hotel.