English MODAL Verbs TABLE

Modal verb Usage Example

ability I can do several things at the same time.

when something is possible Miracles can happen.
can
permission You can go now.
informal requests Can you come for a minute?
past form of "can" She said she could pay for us as well.
could polite requests Could you move your bag, please?
possibility It could be that he missed the train.
possibility It may rain tomorrow.
may
ask or give permission (formal) May I speak?
past form of "may" He said he might change his mind.
might
possibility This might fail.
you have to do it You must obey the law
must it's very logical or very likely to
They left so early, they must be home by now.
happen
must not/
you are not allowed to do it You mustn't smoke in here.
mustn't
future for "I" and "we" I shall see him tomorrow.
shall questions and suggestions for "I"
Let's continue, shall we?
and "we"
the right thing to do She should call the police.
What should I do?
advice
should You should stop thinking about it.
what is likely or expected to
We should be back by midnight.
happen
future action or states (not plans) Prices will go up next summer.
will
promises and intentions It's alright, I'll pick it up.
past form of "will" He told me he would come.
imagined situations What would you do if you were him?
- Would you please sit down?
would for polite requests, offers and - Would you like some tea?
invitations - We are meeting with Sarah next Saturday,
would you like to come along?
to say what you want to do or
I would like a piece of cake.
have
ought to the right thing to do You ought to apologize.
 English MODAL Verbs – SITUATIONS TABLE

Situation Modal Verb Example

requests
may May I sit down?
(formal)
requests
can Can I sit down?
(informal)
requests
could Could I sit down?
(polite)
requests
would Would you mind if I sit down?
(polite)
permission
may You may sit down.
(formal)
permission
can You can sit down.
(informal)
obligation You must tell the
must
(full) police the truth.
obligation You should tell
should
(partial) your friends the truth.
obligation (partial) You ought to tell
ought to
(less common) your friends the truth.
logical conclusions He left an hour ago, so he must be
must
(stronger than "should") there already.
He left half an hour ago,
logical conclusions
should I believe he should
(weaker than "must")
be there already.
possibility
can It can rain sometimes.
(general)
possibility It could rain, but it is
(weaker than could not very common in this
"may" and "might") part of the country.
possibility It's not very cloudy yet,
might
(weaker than "may") but it might rain.
possibility It starts getting cloudy –
may
(stronger than "might") it may rain soon.
Look at the sky!
future actions/states/intentions will
It will rain soon.