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The modals are verbs which come along with other verbs in order to help express meanings and specific language
functions.
Modal Verb
Can
Cant
Could
May
Might
Must
(for past, we use had
to)
Must not (Mustnt) /
cant
Should
Ought to
Have (got) to
Dont have to/ need
not (neednt)
Will
Would
Shall
Function / Meaning
* permission
* possibility
* ability or capacity
* request
* impossibility
* ability in the past
* polite request
* permission
* possibility (affirmative)
* request
* (remote) possibility
a- obligation /command
b- certainty (deduction)
/logical conclusion
c- necessity
* prohibition
* negative obligation
* giving advice/advisability
* duty / moral obligation
* necessity
* absence of necessity/
obligation
Examples
-You can go to the party. Can I park your car?
- That can be dangerous.
- She can play the piano very well.
- Can I go out tonight, Dad?
-That story cant be true.
- I could ride a bike when I was a child.
- Could you bring me some tea, please?
- You may go to the party.
- There are some clouds. It may rain in the afternoon
- May I come in? May I open that window?
- They said on TV that it might rain.
a-You must do your homework/ Last week, I had to work harder.
b- If he cares about you, he must be your friend
- He must be your twin; he looks exactly like you.
c- I must go home.
- You mustnt/cant smoke in the school area.
- You mustnt tell anyone what I said.
- In my opinion, you should listen to your parents.
- Students ought to behave well in classes.
- I have to go home early.
- Its not raining now; you dont have to/need not take an
umbrella with you.
* request
* offer / invitation
* very polite request
* offer
* suggestion
Key:
1- may
2-could
3-can
4-should
5-could
6-mustnt
7-dont have to
8-must
9-dont have to/neednt
10-might.
11- dont have/neednt
12- must.