Modals - English Grammar
1) can
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Use
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Examples
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ability to do sth. in the
present (substitute form: to be able to)
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I can speak English.
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permission to do sth. in the
present (substitute form: to be allowed to)
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Can I go to the cinema?
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request
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Can you wait a moment, please?
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offer
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I can lend you my
car till tomorrow.
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suggestion
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Can we visit Grandma
at the weekend?
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possibility
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It can get very hot in Arizona.
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2) could
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Use
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Examples
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ability to do sth. in the
past (substitute form: to be able to)
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I could speak English.
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permission to do sth. in the
past (substitute form: to be allowed to)
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I could go to the cinema.
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polite question *
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Could I go to the cinema, please?
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polite request *
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Could you wait a moment, please?
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polite offer *
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I could lend you my
car till tomorrow.
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polite suggestion *
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Could we visit Grandma
at the weekend?
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possibility *
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It could get very hot in Montana.
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3) may
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Use
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Examples
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possibility
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It may rain today.
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permission to do sth. in the
present (substitute form: to be allowed to)
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May I go to the cinema?
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polite suggestion
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May I help you?
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4) might
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Use
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Examples
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possibility (less possible
than may) *
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It might rain today.
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hesitant offer *
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Might I help you?
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5) must
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Use
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Examples
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force, necessity
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I must go to the supermarket today.
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possibility
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You must be tired.
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advice, recommendation
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You must see the new film with Brad
Pitt.
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6) must not/may not
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Use
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Examples
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prohibition
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You mustn't work on dad's computer.
You may not work on dad's computer. |
7) need not
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Use
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Examples
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not necessary
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I needn't go to the supermarket, we're
going to the restaurant tonight.
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8) ought to
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Use
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Examples
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advice
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You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.
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obligation
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You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.
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9) shall
1. instead of will in the 1st
person
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Use
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Examples
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suggestion
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Shall I carry your bag?
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10) should
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Use
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Examples
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advice
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You should drive carefully
in bad weather.
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obligation
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You should switch off the
light when you leave the room.
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11) will
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Use
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Examples
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wish, request, demand, order
(less polite than would)
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Will you please shut the door?
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prediction, assumption
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I think it will rain on Friday.
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promise
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I will stop smoking.
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spontaneous decision
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Can somebody drive me to the
station? - I will.
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habits
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She's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking.
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12) would
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Use
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Examples
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wish, request (more polite
than will)
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Would you shut the door, please?
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habits in the past
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Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.
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