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Questions and Answers
What do modal verbs express?
What do modal verbs express?
What is the correct usage of 'can' in the present tense?
What is the correct usage of 'can' in the present tense?
Which modal verb is used to express a suggestion or offer?
Which modal verb is used to express a suggestion or offer?
What is the correct usage of 'might' in the present tense?
What is the correct usage of 'might' in the present tense?
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What is the correct usage of 'would' in a hypothetical situation?
What is the correct usage of 'would' in a hypothetical situation?
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Study Notes
Modal Verbs Overview
- Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express modality, which includes notions such as ability, permission, obligation, and possibility.
- They are used to express degrees of necessity, obligation, and possibility.
Types of Modal Verbs
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Can: ability, capacity, or skill
- Present: I can speak English.
- Past: I could speak English when I was a student.
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Could: possibility, permission, or ability
- Present: I could go to the party if I wanted to.
- Past: I could have gone to the party, but I was tired.
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May: permission, possibility, or ability
- Present: You may go to the party if you finish your homework.
- Past: She may have gone to the party, but I'm not sure.
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Might: possibility or uncertainty
- Present: It might rain tomorrow.
- Past: He might have forgotten his umbrella.
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Shall: suggestion, offer, or proposal
- Present: Shall we go to the movies tonight?
- Past: I shall never forget that day.
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Should: obligation, advice, or recommendation
- Present: You should study harder for the exam.
- Past: I should have studied harder for the exam.
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Will: future action or prediction
- Present: I will go to the store tomorrow.
- Past: I will have graduated by next year.
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Would: past habitual action or hypothetical situation
- Past: I would walk to school when I was a kid.
- Hypothetical: I would buy a car if I had the money.
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Must: necessity, obligation, or strong suggestion
- Present: You must try this cake, it's delicious.
- Past: I must have left my keys at home.
Common Modal Verb Expressions
- Can't: cannot
- Couldn't: could not
- May not: may not
- Might not: might not
- Must not: must not
- Shouldn't: should not
- Won't: will not
- Wouldn't: would not
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Description
Learn about modal verbs, including can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, and would. Understand their types, expressions, and usage in different tenses and contexts.
