MODAL VERBS
1. Use may (not), might (not) and could:
- to talk about the possibility of something happening in the future.
I might apply for that job - I may not get it but it’s worth a try.
- to speculate about the present or the past.
She is not answering the phone - she could be in bed or she might have gone out.
The addition of well after these modal verbs expresses more probability.
She could well win an award. You may well be right.
2. For deductions about the present or past, use:
- must if you have good reason to believe something is true.
Why haven’t you got a coat on? You must be freezing!
- couldn’t / can’t if you think it is untrue.
He couldn’t have taken the car - the keys are still here.
3. Use could / couldn’t to talk about:
- general ability or inability in the past.
He could play a number of instruments but he couldn’t read music.
For specific ability on one occasion in the past, use was / were able to, managed to or succeeded in.
I managed to shut the suitcase, but then I couldn’t get it open again.
Use could have to talk about something we were able to do, but didn’t.
Why didn’t you ask me? I could have helped you.
4. Use might and could to express:
I do think he might have phoned to apologize.
You could at least make your bed in the morning.
- A past possibility which did not happen.
Without that map we might have got lost.
5. Use may/might as well to suggest what could be done even though you may not really want to do it.
I can’t get back to sleep so I might as well get up.
She knows we’re lying so we may as well tell her the truth.
6. Use may/might … but to express:
You might be tired, but you have got work to do.
She may have found him funny, but I thought he was rude.
7. Use will and would:
- to talk about present and past habits.
I will often have just a biscuit for breakfast.
She would always cook fish on Fridays.
To talk about typical annoying behavior. In speech the modal verb is stressed.
She will keep sniffing all the time.
He would be late, wouldn’t he? He always does this.
Will/Would you make me a cup of tea, please?
- to express willingness to do something.
If you will put the dishes away, I will do the ironing.
If you will/would take a seat, I will tell her you are here.
- to express refusal to do something in the present and the past.
He won’t do anything I ask him to.
She just wouldn’t listen to me.
8. Use will to express:
I think she will pass - she has been studying very hard.
There is every/a good/a fair/a slight/little/no chance (that) they will lose tomorrow.
I will give him a ring later.
- assumtions about the present.
They will not have got there yet - they will still be on the motorway somewhere.
It’s Dr Goodenough’s birthday tomorrow - he will be fourty.
9. Use would:
- to express future from a past perspective.
As a child he dreamed he would one day be famous.
- to talk about imaginary situations.
You would look smarter in a suit.
I wouldn’t eat it if I were you - it is very bitter.
I would put a coat on - it is quite chilly outside.
10. Use shall to make:
Shall I pick you up from the station?
Shall we try that new Korean restaurant tonight?
- request for instructions and advice.
Here you are. Where shall I put it?
I am so nervous - what shall I say to her?
What time shall we meet?