Helping English

Modal Verbs

Modal Verb 

Meaning

Examples

Can

possibility, impossibility, ability, permission   

I can speak French (ability).

I cannot swim(impossibility).

If we do not hurry, we can be late (possibility) 

Can I ask a question? (permission)

Could

ability, possibility (in the past)

I couldn’t see the other car (ability).

He could have won the match. In other words he did not win.

Must

certainty, invitation, obligations

It is getting dark; it must be quite late. (certainty)

You must come around to see us (invitation).

You hadn’t eaten all day. You must have been hungry. (certainty)

You must stop at a red light (obligation).

Will

certainty, requests, willingness

He will arrive tomorrow. (certainty)

Will you carry this for me, please? (request)  

We will see you tomorrow. (willingness)

Would

invitations, polite request, belief

Would you like another cup of coffee?

Would you please sit down?

I thought we would be late.

May

Possibility (not sure) , request, offer

It may rain today.(possibility)

May I ask a question? (request)

You may ask if you need help. (offer)

Might

possibility (not sure)

permission/request

guess about the past

I might see him tomorrow (I am not sure whether I will see him tomorrow).

Might I just ask you a question? (polite request)

It is ten o’ clock. They might have arrived by now.

Ought to

obligation

You ought to help your brother. (obligation)

Shall

(I, We)

future actions, suggestions,

 I shall post it to you tomorrow. (future)

Shall we go? (suggestion)

Should

certainty, likelihood 

Ask Jane. She should know.(certainty).

It is late, they should be asleep by now. (likelihood)