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Modal verb - Coggle Diagram
Modal verb
MAY/MIGHT
May: Formal/polite request than CAN/COULD
Might: used to ask permission politely.
- May I open the door, boss?
- Martin might come in now.
Suggestion:
- I heard that Daisy has difficulties sleeping. Doing yoga may help this problem!
Low possibility: May> 50% >Might:
- It’s sunny this weekend, we may go swimming on Sunday.
- Daisy may/might have been taking a shower when Anna called.
Might: used as the past tense of MAY when reporting what somebody has said.
- He said he might come tomorrow.
CAN/COULD
CAN
Ability: somebody/something is able to do something
- Jennie cannot speak Spanish.
Permission: the act of allowing somebody to do something
- Can you lend me VND100.000?
COULD
Ability: used as the past tense of ‘can’
- I could climb trees when I was a child
Suggestion: an idea or a plan that you mention for somebody else to think about.
- You could take the train at 6 tomorrow
Request/permission: asking for something formally and politely
- Could I have your number?
MUST/HAVE TO
HAVE TO: obligation from outside or situation, used to show that you must do something (a rule or a law)
- I have to go to school right now. My class starts at 7 and it’s already 6:30.
don’t have to when it is not necessary for someone to do something. You don’t have to leave yet.
MUST : you want to do something with strong obligation, necessary or very important I must go to school right now. I want to revise some exercises before starting the lesson.
likely or logical. You must be hungry after all that walking.
recommend You simply must read this book.
past tense had to you had to follow the procedure.
must not when saying someone should not do something, for example because it is dangerous or wrong
WILL/WOULD
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WOULD
Past intentions/expectations: It would soon be dark.
Imagined situations: It would be lovely to see you.
Past habits:We would often go for long walks in the park.
Requesting politely: Would you mind waiting outside?
What somebody wants: Yes, please, I’d love a coffee.
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