Modals

                         Modal verbs

also known as modal auxiliary verbs, are a type of auxiliary verb that express various meanings related to ability, permission, obligation, possibility, and certainty. They do not have their own meanings but modify the meaning of the main verb.

 There are 10 modal verbs in English: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, and ought to.

Here are the different usages and differences between them, with examples:

Can: used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the present or future.
Example:
I can speak Spanish fluently. (ability)
Can I borrow your pen, please? (permission)
She can't come to the party tomorrow. (possibility)

Could: used to express past ability, possibility, or permission, or to make a polite request.
Example:
I could swim when I was younger. (past ability)
Could you please pass me the salt? (polite request)
It could rain later today. (possibility)

May: used to express permission, possibility, or uncertainty in the present or future.
Example:
May I leave early today? (permission)
It may rain later today. (possibility)
He may not show up for the meeting. (uncertainty)

Might: used to express possibility or uncertainty in the present or future, and is often used in more formal situations than "may".
Example:
She might be able to help us with the project. (possibility)
It might be a good idea to take a break now. (uncertainty)

Must: used to express strong obligation or necessity, or to express a deduction or conclusion.
Example:
You must finish your homework before you can watch TV. (obligation)
The shop must be closed now, it's already late. (deduction)

Shall: used to express a suggestion or recommendation, or to ask for advice or instructions. It is rarely used in modern English.
Example:
Shall we go to the cinema tonight? (suggestion)
What shall I do next? (asking for advice or instructions)

Should: used to express obligation, expectation, or advice.
Example:
You should apologize for what you said. (obligation)
I should be studying instead of watching TV. (expectation)
You should see a doctor if your symptoms persist. (advice)

Will: used to express future actions, predictions, or willingness.
Example:
I will go to the gym tomorrow. (future action)
She will probably be late for the meeting. (prediction)
I will help you with your project if you need it. (willingness)

Would: used to express past habits, polite requests or invitations, or hypothetical situations.
Example:
When I was younger, I would always play football with my friends. (past habits)
Would you mind closing the door, please? (polite request)
If I had more time, I would travel around the world. (hypothetical situation)

Ought to: used to express obligation or expectation, and is often used with the auxiliary verb "to".
Example:
You ought to study harder if you want to pass the exam. (obligation)
I ought to be more careful with my money. (expectation)

Complete the following dialogue using the correct modal to fill in each blank.

Dina: I hate to say this, Ragini, but you are in terrible shape.
Ragini: I know, what (a) ……………………………. I do?
Dina: Well, since you are putting on weight, you (b) ……………………………. plan a healthy diet.
Ragini: You are right. I (c) ……………………………. not eat so many chocolates and junk food.
Dina: That’s right, and you (d) ……………………………. also start exercising.
Ragini: (e) ……………………………. I start with walking for an hour every day?
Dina: Yes, but what is most important is that you (f) ……………………………. try to have a healthy lifestyle.
Answer:
(a) should
(b) must
(c) should
(d) could/should
(e) should/could
(f) must

“How long (a) ……………….. or (b) ……………….. a person wait on a hungry stomach?” This thought constantly (c) ……………….. come to an impoverished man who (d) ……………….. wait till his unemployment days are over, “(e) ……………….. I never get two full meals?” occupies his thought box. He (f) ……………….. not even get a chance ever to come out of this vicious circle of poverty.

Answer:
(a) can
(b) should
(c) may
(d) has to
(e) Shall
(f) might

On the Annual Day celebration, the Principal delivered a lecture, “Good Evening Children, you all (a) ……………… be the future policymakers, hence you (b) ………………. obey your teachers. You (c) ……………….. always try to win over the confidence of your superiors. You must not leave any stone unturned and you (d) ……………….. not worry about the result. Take a pledge that you (e) ……………….. obey and respect your elders. You (f) ……………….. take whatever stream you like but excel in the path chosen.

Answer:
(a) will
(b) ought to
(c) should
(d) need
(e) shall
(f) may

How to use 'Would' in everyday speech

Would 

is a modal auxiliary verb.

The basic structure of would is :

Link to video : Uses of Would [youtube]

subject + would + main verb

There are many uses of 'would' :

• Request
• Offer
• Future in the past
• Past habitual action        
• Second conditional 
• Third conditional
• Wishes

REQUEST 

We can use would, would like or would you mind....? for polite requests.

                                    

You would meet me at my birthday party.
Would you like to celebrate Diwali with us.
Would you mind helping me to cut down trees?
Would you mind closing the window, please?           
Would you mind opening the door for me,please?
Would you mind if I turned up the heating?
Would you like another coffee?
Would you like me to answer the phone?

OFFER

to suggest; to give; to say you are willing to do something or give something we use   "would like" in polite offers.When we do this ,we use question form.

                

Would you like some cakes?
Would you like to read this book?
Would you like it again?
Would you like some help?
Would you like to go the movie theater tonight?        
Would you like to watch television with me?
Would you like to meet next week?
Would you like a banana? 

                                                                                                                                        

FUTURE IN THE PAST

It is used to express the idea that in the past you thought something would happen in the future.

He promised me he would send a gift on my birthday

I knew Ravi would make dinner.

He left 2 minutes late, unaware that the delay would save his life.

I knew you would help me.

I told Jaya that when she arrived, we would go out for dinner.

I knew that you would finish the homework by evening.

 

PAST HABITUAL ACTIONS

We can use would to talk about repeated past actions that don't happen any more. The use of 'would' means that these things many times in the past. If a past action happened only once, 'would' cannot be used.

                 

Every Sunday I would go on a long bike ride.

When I was in the school, I would play games in the evening.

When we stayed in the hostel, we would make vegetables.

When I was younger, I would study for 6 hours everyday.

We would always go to the Sanwariyaji for buying samosas.

I would go swimming every Thursday.

He would smoke but he gave up a few years ago. 

SECOND CONDITIONAL

It is a structure used to talk about impossible or imagery situations.

We use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'.

If + Past Simple and would + infinitive

                

If I won a lot of money, I would travel the would.

If  I had enough money, I would buy a car.

IF I had the right qualifications I would get a good job.

If I met Sachin Tendulkar , I would say hello.

She would travel all over the world if she were rich.

She would pass the exam if she ever studied.

If I had his number , I would call him.

If I were you , I wouldn't go out with that man.

THIRD CONDITIONAL

We use third conditional to talk about something in the past that did not happen.

If + Past Perfect, would + have + Past Participle

                    

If I had known , I would have worn something nicer.

I definitely would have remembered if you had told me.

He wouldn't have missed the train if he hadn't overslept.

If I had seen him, I would have asked him to come over.

If I had known about the third conditional before , I wouldn't have failed my English test.

WISHES

We use "I wish...would...." to say that we want something happen.

                

I wish you would stop making so much noise!

I wish you would come through the kitchen with your clean boots.

I wish the corona patients would recover soon.

I wish you would get keys of the new car.

I wish he would his homework.

I wish it would rain tomorrow.

I wish you would go to the party.

Link to video : Uses of Would [youtube]