Modal Verbs In English - Cheat Sheet
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1Modal verbs in English – Cheat Sheet
Modal verb
Example
Use
can
She can swim.
ability / opportunity / permission
She can’t swim.
inability
This invoice can’t be right!
impossibility / probability
You can’t go yet.
prohibition
Can we leave early?
request
could
She could swim.
ability (past)
He could have missed his bus.
possibility / probability (past)
Could we leave early?
request (polite)
We could see a movie.
suggestion / opportunity (present)
may
She may swim.
permission
She may not swim.
prohibition
She may have swum.
possibility (past)
May we leave early?
request (polite)
That may be Kelly at the door.
possibility
might
She might swim.
possibility
She might swim if …
conditional
You might try the apple cake.
suggestion
Might we leave early?
request (UK)
must
She must swim.
necessity / advice / certainty
She must not swim.
prohibition
She must have swum.
high probability (past)
It must be cold outside.
probability
My keys must be here somewhere.
expectation
When must we leave?
obligation
You must try the apple cake.
suggestion (strong)
shall
She shall swim.
command / certainty
(* UK English)
I shall learn the cello.
intention (1st person) / future
Shall we leave early?
actions
suggestion / offer
should
She should swim.
advice / obligation
That should be Kelly at the door.
expectation
You should try the apple cake.
suggestion
will
She will swim.
certainty (future)
I will learn cello.
intention (1st person)
That will be Kelly at the door.
probability
They will always be late for dinner.
habit
Will you help me?
request (favour / information)
would
She would swim if …
conditional
She would like to swim.
preference
They would often be late for dinner.
habit / repetition (past)
Would you help me please?
request (polite)
have to
She has to swim.
necessity / obligation / certainty
My keys have to be here somewhere.
expectation
You have to try the apple cake.
suggestion (strong)
Kymberly Fergusson, , 2014
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