Model Verb | ENGLISH PLACEMENT

** Modal Verb:

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (also known as “helping verbs”). Normally modal verbs cannot work alone and must work with a main verb. The so-called “semi-modals” work partly like modals and partly like main verbs.

can	could	may	might	will
would	must	shall	should	ought to

# Modals are different from normal verbs:

They don’t use an ‘s’ for the third person singular.
They make questions by inversion (‘she can go’ becomes ‘can she go?’).
They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without ‘to’).

# Probability:

First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these ‘modals of deduction’ or ‘speculation’ or ‘certainty’ or ‘probability’.

>For example:

It’s snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
I don’t know where John is. He could have missed the train.
This bill can’t be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

>Details: Click here to find out more about probability.

# Ability:

We use ‘can’ and ‘could’ to talk about a skill or ability.

For example:

She can speak six languages.
My grandfather could play golf very well.
I can’t drive.

>Details: Click here to find out more about ability.

>More: English Club.

# Obligation and Advice:

We can use verbs such as ‘must’ or ‘should’ to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

For example:

Children must do their homework.
We have to wear a uniform at work.
You should stop smoking.

>Details: Click here to find out more about obligation

>More: English Club. English Club.

# Permission:

We can use verbs such as ‘can’, ‘could’ and ‘may’ to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

For example:

Could I leave early today, please?
You may not use the car tonight.
Can we swim in the lake?

>More: Grammar Monster.

# Habits:

We can use ‘will’ and ‘would’ to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past.
>For example:

When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.
John will always be late!

>More: English Club.

# Past Modals:

The past modals ‘could have + past participle’, ‘should have + past participle’ and ‘would have + past participle’ can be confusing. I explain about them here.

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# Some Examples:

He can do this.
He should do this work.
You must do this.
He will do this.
It might have happened.
He could have helped you.
You should have done the work.
He would have given you the pen.
He must have read the book.
He may be playing in the field now.
Rahim may be waiting for me.
You should be studying now because tomorrow will be your exam.
Everyday Rahim plays in the field this time, he must be playing now.
He could be reading for sometime more.
I would be walking the rest of the way.
May he live long.
May you be happy.
He wished that I might prosper.
People wished that the president might live long.
He may/might have done the work.
The street is wet, it must have rained.
He seems to be happy, he must have passed.
There are many people there, something must have happened.
We eat so that we may/might live.
He studied hard so that he might pass the exam.
He work so that he may be rich.
Would you help me please?
Would you please not smoke. (Please do not smoke).
Could you please tell me the man’s name?
If I were a king I would love people.
If I were a good player I would be happy.
If he had come to me I could have given him the address.

# Exercise: