The document discusses modal verbs which are used to express ideas such as possibility, intention, obligation and necessity. Some of the main modal verbs discussed are: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and ought to. Examples are provided for how each modal verb is used in positive sentences, questions, and negative sentences.

1. MODAL VERBS
Modal Verbs are used to express ideas such as possibility, intention, obligation and
necessity. They are used with a main verb to form a sentence or a question.
Modals are not conjugated, have no tense, and cannot be used without a main verb.
can
could
may
might
Shall
Should
Will
would
Must
ought to
Can
The can indicates possibility or ability:
Examples
1. He can speak English if he practices the exercises regularly.
2. The engineers can design the buildings.
3. He can attend the party if he is well.
4. She can drive a car.
5. Everyone can learn this subject.
6. He can do this work easily.
Questions
1. Can you help me?
2. Can I have a glass of water?
3. Can you give me a lift to school?
Negative sentences
1. She cannot stay out after 10 PM.

2. 2. I can’t lift this bundle because it is too weight.
3. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
COULD
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions
and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the
conditional form of "can.
Examples
1. I could run ten miles in my twenties.
2. John could go to jail for stealing the money.
3. Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city.
4. You could see a movie or go out to dinner.
Questions
1. Could I borrow your dictionary?
2. Could you say it again more slowly?
3. Could I use your computer to email my boss?
Negative sentences
1. I could n’t travel for a long time in olden days
2. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.
MAY
It is used to ask for formal permission and to suggest some thing to be possible.
Examples
1. He may come here
2. you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner
3. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is disturbed or tired.

3. Questions
1. May I say something now?
2. May I come in?
3. May I have another cup of coffee?
Negative sentences
1. They may not be happy about what happened.
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired.
MIGHT
It is the past form of MAY.
Examples
1. They might give us a 10% discount.
2. Your purse might be in the living room
3. You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit
4. I believed that he might be honest
Questions
1. Might I have something to drink?
2. Might I borrow the stapler?
Negative sentences
1. That painting might not have been painted by Picasso. It could be a forgery..
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired.
SHALL

4. When “shall” is used in the second or third person, it has the force of a command, a
promise, Examples
1. She shall be punished for his mistake..
2. I shall never forget where I came from
3. I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office
4. He shall become our next king
Questions
1. Shall we begin dinner?
2. Shall we move into the living room?
3. Shall I do that or will you?
Negative sentences
1. You shall not go out without my permission.
2. He shall not apologize for his behavior.
SHOULD
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can
also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples
1. You should focus more on your family and less on work.
2. He should be more thoughtful in the decision-making process.
3. We should return the video before the video rental store closes.
4. I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM
Questions
1. Should we continue our meeting?
2. Should we go this way?
Negative sentences
1. You should not go out without my permission.

5. WILL
It is use to express desire, preference, choice, or consent and express the future
Examples
5. I'll do that for you if you like.
6. I will make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry..
7. He thinks it will rain tomorrow.
8. I will be there in your wedding.
Questions
3. Will you stop talking like that?
4. Will you come to birthday party tomorrow?
Negative sentences
1. I will not allow him to go.
2. I will not miss this opportunity.
WOULD
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as
the past form of the modal verb "will."
Examples
1. I knew that she would be very successful in her career.
2. If I were president, I would cut the cost of education..
3. He told me he would be here before 8:00.
Questions
1. Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me?
2. Would you pass the salt please?
Negative sentences

6. 1. He wouldn't like to see her dressed like that
MUST
"Must" is most commonly used to express the compulsion, necessity,
determination, duty, certainty of belief
Examples
2. A minister must be honest..
3. Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school
4. You must take some medicine for that cough.
5. I must complete the project by this week.
6. Everybody must obey the rules.
Negative sentences
1. You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.
2. You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the
tropics.
OUGHT TO
"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations also to express the
assumption or expectation.
Examples
9. You ought to stop smoking.
10.This stock ought to increase in value
11.She ought to have received the package yesterday.
12.As the secretary I ought to have attended that meeting.