SHOULD

1. It is used to show DUTY or OBLIGATION

a) The peon should ring the bell. (duty)
b) We should respect our parents. (obligation)

2. ADVICE or SUGGESTION
a) You should work hard to pass the exam.
b) We should help the poor.

3. SUPPOSITION
a) Should you go to market, bring a pen for me.

SHOULD + HAVE + v3

a) You should have come yesterday.

b) I should not have done this work.

WOULD
1. It is the past form of will. Thus, it is used to show future in
the past.
a) He said that he would help me.
b) They said that they would wait for us.
2. PAST HABIT
a) Gandhi ji would spin every morning.
b) I would go out for a walk when I was in the village.
3. POLITE REQUEST
a) Would you please lend me some money?
b) Would you please be quiet?

CAN
1. It is used to show POWER and ABILITY
a) The principal can give you admission. (power)
b) She can speak English fluently. (ability)
2. PERMISSION
a. You cannot sit here.
b. You cannot enter lady’s compartment.
3. POSSIBILITY
a) Anyone can make mistakes.
b) He can tell lies.

COULD
1. It is the past form of can. Thus, it is used to show permission
in the past.
The teacher said to her, “Can you prepare a chart?”
The teacher asked her if she could prepare a chart.
2 POLITE REQUEST (present)
Could I speak to Mr. Gupta?
Could you please tell me your address?
2. PAST POSSIBLITY
a) If I had money, I could buy a car.
b) If I had time, I could go to see a movie.

MAY

1. It is used to show permission and it is more formal than

can.
a) May I come in, sir?
b) You may leave now.
2. Future POSSIBLITY
a) The sky is cloudy. It may rain in the evening.
3. PURPOSE
a) She works hard so that she may pass the exam.
 MIGHT
1. It is the past form of MAY. It is used to show past
permission.
She said to the teacher, “May I go home?”
She asked the teacher if she might go home.

2. REMOTE POSSIBILITY
a) The sky is clear, but it might rain at night.
b) He has not promised , but he might come.

3. PURPOSE OF PAST
a) She worked hard so that she might pass the exam.

MUST
1. It is stronger than should. Thus it is used to show EMPHATIC
ADVICE.
a) You are not well. You must consult a doctor.
2. COMPULSION
a) You must obey the traffic rules.
3. CERTAINTY OF BELIEF
a) All his hair is grey. He must be over 70.

OUGHT + to

It is used to show MORAL DUTY and SOCIAL OBLIGATION

a) We ought to love our country.

b) We ought to respect our elders.

DARE

It means “to venture”. It is mostly used in negative and interrogative

sentences.

a) He dare not oppose me.

b) How dare you say so?
 NEED

It expresses ‘necessity’. It is mostly used in negative and interrogative

sentences.

a) You need not stay here.

b) Need she go there?