Modal Verbs Definitions Download

English Modal Verbs Definitions Reference Sheet Can 1. Expresses ability I can ride a bike. (Having the power, ability, or capacity, I am able to ride a bike.) 2. Expresses permission He can borrow my car. (He has permission to borrow my car.) 3. Expresses possibility You can fly in a balloon with hot air. (Flying in a balloon is possible with hot air.) 4. Expresses contingency If the committee can provide the food, then I will provide the drinks. (My providing the drinks is contingent on the committee providing the food.) 5. Expresses requests Can you pass me the salt? (I am requesting that you pass me the salt.) Could 1. Expresses ability, specifically past ability My grandfather could fly a plane. (My grandfather used to be able to fly a plane.) 2. Expresses permission She could have taken the car. (It was permissible for her to take the car.) 3. Expresses suggestions You could borrow my sweater. (I am suggesting that you borrow my sweater.) 4. Expresses possibility and to a lesser extent probability The child could not have gotten far. (It is not possible for the child to have gotten far.) The entire building could explode. (It is probable that the entire building will explode.) 5. Expresses requests

Could you shut the door? (I am requesting that you shut the door.) May 1. Expresses possibility The bread may not turn out right. (It is a possibility that the bread will not turn out right.) 2. Expresses probability The patient likely may never walk again. (It is probable that the patient will never walk again.) 3. Expresses permission and requests for permission May I borrow your computer? (Do I have permission to borrow your computer?) Might 1. Expresses possibility You might get hurt. (It is possible for you to get hurt.) 2. Expresses suggestions You might add raisins to the cookies. (It is suggested that you add raisins to the cookies.) 3. Expresses commands You might be more polite to customers. (It is commanded that you be more polite to customers.) Must 1. expresses obligation You must donate money to attend. (It is obligated that you donate money to attend.) 2. Expresses necessity You must have a license to kill. (It is necessary for you to have a license to kill.) 3. Expresses commands including prohibitions, demands, suggestions, and permissions Students must never enter the third floor. (It is prohibited for students to enter the third

floor.) 4. Expresses deductions of certainty A loose fan belt must be the problem. (It is deduced that a loose fan belt is the problem). Shall 1. Expresses futurity including decisions, predictions, intentions, and promises I shall buy a new hat. (I decided to buy a new hat.) 2. Expresses suggestions and offers Shall we go for ice cream? (I suggest we go for ice cream.) 3. Expresses commands including obligation, prohibitions, and threats Students shall not drink. (Students are prohibited from drinking.) Should 1. Expresses advisability including suggestions and recommendations They should take the interstate. (It is advised that they take the interstate.) 2. Expresses necessity and, to a lesser extent, obligation People with egg allergies should avoid omelets. (It is necessary that people with egg allergies avoid omelets. 3. Expresses predictions and deductions Espen should be in Chicago by now. (It is predicted that Espen is in Chicago now.) Will 1. Expresses futurity including decisions, predictions, intentions, and promises The train will arrive at noon tomorrow. (The train arrives in the future at noon tomorrow.) 2. Expresses commands You will be nice to your little brother. (I command you to be nice to your little brother.)

3. Expresses suggestions You will want to visit the museum. (It is suggested that you visit the museum.) 4. Expresses offers I will pick up the pie for you. (I offer to pick up the pie for you.) 5. Expresses requests Will you open the window? (It is requested that you open the window.) Would 1. Expresses conditionality and contingency If I were president, I would spend more on education. (My being president is the condition necessary for my spending more on education.) 2. Expresses futurity including decisions, predictions, intentions, and promises within past tense constructions He said he would help tomorrow. (He said, "I will help tomorrow.") 3. Expresses desires and preferences I would like some sweat tea. (I desire some sweat tea.) 4. Expresses suggestions She would want to cook the sweet potatoes first. (It is suggested that she cook the sweat potatoes first.) 5. Expresses offers He would take your weekend shift. (He offers to take your weekend shift.) 6. Express requests and commands Would you please pick up dessert? (I am requesting that you pick up dessert.) 7.Eexpresses habituality, specifically past habituality He would always whine about everything. (He used to always whine about everything.)