| Modal Verbs |
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Modal Verbs |
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| Modals | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must | certainty prohibition strong recommendation | You must be John. I have heard a lot about you. You must not cross the border. You must rest a little. |
| will | future action, prediction, volunteering, promising | He will be defeated tonight. Jackie will be there by 5:00. I will help you with your homework. I will always be there for you. |
| would | conditional past of "will" repetition in the past | If I were you I wouldn't talk to her She said she would help me with my homework When we were young we would go to the movies every weekend |
| can | to be able to permission request possibility | I can swim. = I am able to swim. My mom said I can play with my friends on Saturdays. Can you please move your book? They can fall and injure their legs. |
| could | possibility conditional of "can" past ability polite request | Jeison could be the one who told on us. If I had more money, I could buy this car. I could swim for hours when I was young. Could you pass me the salt please? |
| may | possibility give permission request (polite) | He may be upset about what I said to him. You may use my pencil today. May I burrow your book please? |
| might | possibility conditional of "may" request (not used very often) | He might be lost. If I took the test tomorrow, I might actually pass. Might I borrow you pen please? |
| shall / should/ ought to | to be supposed to / to be expected to / to be to | I shall / should / ought to swim. = I am supposed to swim. / I am expected to swim. / I am to swim. |
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