Uses of Modal verbs and their usage.
Modal Verbs
“Verbs, used with another verb to show/express permission, ability, possibility, suggestions etc”.
Examples
Modal verbs/modal auxiliaries include the following:
1. CAN
CAN is used for:
1⃣. For ability.
Eg. I can do this work.
2⃣. For permission.
Eg. You can go now.
3⃣. For request.
Eg. Can you translate this article for me please?
4⃣. For possibility. (Usually used in negative and interrogative sentences).
Eg. You can not get that book from Karachi.
5⃣. For anger.
Eg. Can you just shut up?
6⃣. For general truth.
Eg. By exercising daily, you can lose your weight.
7⃣. For offers.
Eg. Can I help you?
2. COULD
Could is used for:
1⃣. For past ability.
Eg. When I was in SSC, I could study for 7 hours daily.
2⃣. For past possibility.
Eg. The road could be blocked but the police reached in time.
3⃣. For polite way of asking.
Eg. Could I have my book back please?
4⃣. For uncertain possibility.
Eg. They could come any time.
5⃣. For suggestions.
Eg. We could have lunch outside today.
6⃣. For anger.
Eg. You could try to change it before my arrival.
7⃣. For suggestions.
Eg. You could go there before he had gone.
3. MAY
May is used for:
1⃣. For possibility (usually used in positive sentences).
Eg. It may rain today.
2⃣. For permission.
Eg. May I join you sir?
3⃣. For wish (usually in optative sentences).
Eg. May my mother live long.
4⃣. For request.
Eg. May I speak sir please?
5⃣. For prohibition.
Eg. You may not smoke in the office.
4. MIGHT
Might is used for:
1⃣. Possibility.
Eg. It might rain today.
2⃣. For politeness.
Eg. Might I take more?
3⃣. For suggestions.
Eg. I thought you might help me.
5. WILL
Will is used for:
1⃣. For future actions:
Eg. He will leave for India tomorrow.
2⃣. For willingness.
Eg. I will play with you.
3⃣. For asking something.
Eg. Will you give me your watch?
4⃣. For polite invitation.
Eg. Will you join me please?
5⃣. For anger.
Eg. Will you stop talking?
6⃣. For something possible.
Eg. Who is knocking the door? It will be Ali.
7⃣. For things, which usually happen.
Eg. It will last longer, if you used it carefully.
8⃣. For promise.
Eg. I will come there tomorrow.
6. WOULD
Would is used for:
1⃣. For a polite request.
Eg. Would you mind sitting here?
2⃣. For strong desire.
Eg. Would that I could see Quaid E Azam!
3⃣. For past habitual actions.
Eg. I would study very hard, when I was in Primary school.
4⃣. For typical behavior.
Eg. They always say we are busy. They would say that again.
5⃣. For reason.
Eg. Why would one miss such an offer?
7. SHALL
Shall is used for:
1⃣. For first person pronouns.
Eg. I/we shall go tomorrow.
2⃣. For a command (usually in 2nd or 3rd person).
Eg. You shall not enter to this room.
3⃣. For emphasis.
Eg. I shall kill you the day you abused me.
4⃣. For asking something.
Eg. Shall you forgive me?
5⃣. For permission.
Eg. Shall I collect the money from them Sir?
8. SHOULD
Should is used for:
1⃣. For something advisable.
Eg. If you can’t sleep, you should go to a good physician.
2⃣. For expectations.
Eg. You should do it very easy.
3⃣. For a purpose.
Eg. Take umbrella lest you should get wet.
4⃣. For reason.
Eg. Why one should reject this offer?
5⃣. For advice.
Eg. You should not worry because he’s alive.
6⃣. For expressing obligation or duty.
Eg. We should obey the law.
7⃣. For politeness.
Eg. I should like to help you.
8⃣. For supposition.
Eg. If it should rain, they will not come.
9. MUST
Must is used for:
1⃣. For necessary things.
Eg. You must study hard.
2⃣. For strong intention.
Eg. You must invite him.
3⃣. For emphasis.
Eg. I must say “you are great”.
4⃣. For strong possibility.
Eg. He must be hungry.
5⃣. For obligation.
Eg. You must get up very early.
6⃣. For expressing logical certainty.
Eg. Living in so much crowd must be very difficult.
10. OUGHT TO
Ought To is used for:
1⃣. For expressing moral obligation or desirability.
Eg. We ought to love our nei
ghbours.
2⃣. For expressing probability.
Eg. This book ought to be very useful.
3⃣. For expectations.
Eg. He ought to be at home now.
11. USED TO
Used To is used for:
1⃣. For repeated actions in the past.
Eg. We used to play a lot when we were younger.
2⃣. For expressing a discontinued habit.
Eg. I used to study a lot in SSC.
12. NEED
Need is used for:
1⃣. For necessity or obligation.
Eg. I need hardly to go.