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Modal verbs - auxiliary verb that expresses necessity or possibility.…
Modal verbs
- auxiliary verb that expresses necessity or possibility.
REQUESTS (formal)
WOULD :pencil2:
Would you mind if I sit down?
REQUESTS (informal)
CAN :pencil2:
Can I sit down?
PERMISSION (formal)
MAY :pencil2:
You may sit down
REQUESTS (formal)
COULD :pencil2:
Could I sit down?
REQUESTS (polite)
WOULD :pencil2:
Would you mind if I sit down?
PERMISSION (informal)
CAN :pencil2:
You can sit down.
OBLIGATION (full)
MUST :pencil2:
You must tell the police what happened.
OBLIGATION (partial)
SHOULD :pencil2:
You should tell your friends the truth.
OBLIGATION (partial) [less common}
OUGHT TO :pencil2:
You ought to tell your friends the truth.
POSSIBILITY (general)
CAN :pencil2:
It can rain sometimes.
POSSIBILITY (weaker than "may" and "might")
COULD :pencil2:
It could rain, but it is not very common in this part of the country.
POSSIBILITY (weaker than "may")
MIGHT :pencil2:
It's not very cloudy yet, but it might rain.
POSSIBILITY (stronger than "might")
MAY :pencil2:
It's starting to get cloudy- it may rain soon.
FUTURE (actions/states/intentions)
WILL :pencil2:
Look at the sky! It will rain soon.
LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS (stronger than "should")
MUST :pencil2:
He left an hour ago, so he must be there already.
LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS (weaker than "must")
SHOULD :pencil2:
He left an hour ago, I believe he should be there already.