In English, you can show what you feel about a situation by using words such as may, will, would, might, can and could.
These words can change the meaning of a sentence and show that something is possible, necessary, uncertain, or intended.
"For example, "I'll go shopping tomorrow" shows that you intend to go tomorrow.
"I might go shopping tomorrow" shows that perhaps you will go tomorrow, but you don't know for sure.
When you use these words, remember:
* They are followed by the verb without to.
* You don't need an 's' for the third person singular: "He might come to the party." (Not "he mights come to the party".)
* You can make a question by putting the word before the person, not by using 'do' or 'have': "Could you help me?" (Not "do you could help me?")
* You can make a negative form by adding a form of not to the word:
can becomes can't
will becomes won't
might becomes might not (or mightn't)
may becomes may not
could becomes couldn't.
How possible something is
"The company might relocate next year."
"We may have to wait an hour for dinner in this restaurant."
"It can get very cold here in winter."
"We could all live to be 100 years old in theory."
How certain something is
"She'll get promoted next year."
"He won't agree to that idea."
"You must be our new neighbour."
"If you left now, you would get the train."
Offers and requests
"Shall I open the door for you?"
"I'll cook dinner, if you like."
"Could you help me?"
"Can you pass me the salt, please?"
Permission
"Can I open the window, please?"
"You may now look at your exam papers." (This is formal.)
Ability
"I can cook, but I can't drive."
"I couldn't speak French very well when I was at school."
Using should, must and need
These words help you to talk about rules, obligation and advice.
Should
We use should to give advice.
"If you want to learn English, you should practise as much as possible."
We can also use should to talk about what we expect to happen.
"He should be here by now – he left over an hour ago."
The negative of should is shouldn't.
"You shouldn't eat so much chocolate – it's bad for you."
Must
We use must to talk about obligation.
"I must call my grandmother today – it's her birthday."
If you want to say the opposite – that there is no obligation to do something, use don't have to or don't need to.
"You don't have to wash the car – I'll do it."
"You don't need to put the rubbish out – I've already done it."
We can also use must to talk about what we think is logically certain.
"You must be tired after all that travelling."
If you want to say that something is logically impossible, use can't.
"Who's that at the door? It can't be the postman – he's already been."
Mustn't means that it is not allowed to do something.
"You mustn't feed animals in the zoo – it's not allowed."
Should have done
Look at this example dialogue:
"You know… my car was broken into yesterday."
"How terrible. What did you do?"
"Oh, nothing."
"You should have called the police."
We use the pattern should have done to talk about what we think would have been the best thing to do. However, the past event we are talking about cannot be changed. So the pattern after should is have done – not should do.
In the example dialogue, the person didn't contact the police yesterday (in the past), so you can't change the situation. You can only say what action would have been the best in this situation.
SEE ALSO: If Sentences In English
Note
When you use this construction, be careful not to say should had done.
71 comments on “Changing the mood of a sentence (modals)”
I need to know how to use can, could and would to request.
Thank you.
You can use them all to make requests:
Can you open the window please?
Could you open the window please?
Would you open the window please?
Can is the least formal, while would is the most formal.
Can you say what is the difference between must and have to?Where will we use must or have to?Can you explain them with examples?
We use both to talk about obligation:
"You must answer the phone."
"You have to answer the phone."
But there are differences. Grammatically speaking, "have to" is not a modal verb, and it changes its form: "I have to" but "He has to"; "I have to" (in the present) and "I had to" (in the past).
We tend to use "must" when the authority for the obligation comes from the speaker:
"You must answer the phone" (because I am telling you to!)
We use "have to" to show that the authority for the obligation is more general:
"You have to answer the phone" (because this is a company rule – not my rule.)
I could removed my doubts about can, could, will, would, shall, should, may might usage.
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I can't understand why the follOwing sentence is considered an example of request:
Would you mind if I opened the window?
I would say it expresses asking for permission.
I agree. You are asking if you can do something – not if another person can do something for you.
Is wanderful. I can learn english in my apartment thanks so much for this opportunity.
I would like to ask you what is the most general meaning of "should"?Because I don't understand it.
Thank you
We use "should" to give advice or to talk about things which are logically possible:
If you are tired, you should rest. (advice)
You should be able to see the sea from here. (It's possible to see the sea.)
i dont understant why it is incorrect to say "i will like to".
When we talk about future preferences, we use "would" rather than "will".
According to my understanding,would and might are future tense.
Sentence 1:He might come tomorrow
sentence 2:He would come tomorrow
Sentence 1 says not sure of coming tomorrow
but sentence 2 says he will come tomorrow surely.
Is my understanding correct?
You are partly right. "Might" means that it is a possibility, while "would" means that it is a hypothetical situation. For example, "He would come tomorrow if you lent him the car."
In addition to second conditional can we use "would" for future in any other situations?
"I'd like to travel abroad next year."
I have the info in my English Book, that in possibility "couldn't" doesn't exist. There are only negative forms like might not or may not. The book says that couldn't is a mistake.
Is it true?
Well, it depends on what you mean by "possibility". For example:
You couldn't have seen him at the party. He was with me all evening.
For me, "couldn't" in this sentence expresses possibility (or lack of possibility.)
One more question- The money IS, or the money ARE??? ;-)
Money is… (Money is the root of all evil.)
I can sing the songs very well.
I may go to aboard.
I 'll do my best on ma work.
I must try hard to get the prize.
What shall I do for my troubles?
I really like this site… it helps me a lot in improving my English… it quite disastrous before but now i am better.. Thank You :)
Regards from,
Bruneian
You ________ cut down to smoking.
(should or must)
what i feel like is that it should be a must but then it
is an advice by the doctor so either you take it or not it is then upto you………
well i want you to clear my confusions among should and must……..
Embe » If it's an obligation, use "must". If it's advice, use "should".
nice explained ..thanks you .
A useful explanation. Thanks
Your site has helped me a lot to teach English to some of my students. I really appreciate the simplicity and modernity of the contents.
your site has helped me to develop my grammertical skills and use of words.i am also appreciate the simplicity of the content.
can i use the sentence like , you should have do it for your sucsess.is it right or wrong?
If you are talking about something that someone didn't do in the past, you can say:
You should have done it.
If you are referrng to the future, you can say:
You should do it to be successful in the future.
hi
i got a question
in unreal if cnditional sentnce i found an example:
if i were you,i would go there
If she were my friend,i would…
my question is why we put the word 'were' after subject I and she or he or it, whereas i find that we should use was after subject above.
thanks before
See the comment before!
Hi its nice site.. Can I ask if this is correct " I'll going in the grocery store tomorow..
Either "I'll go to …" Or "I'm going to…"
Hi,can I say I wish I were you to be able to do as you did. Is it correct or not
Yes, you can say this, but it's quite complicated. Perhaps we'd say "I wish I were you, then I could have done what you did."
it's nice way to learn modal,…can i ask.i have found in the book modal verbs are included into auxilarry verb and it makes me confused could you explain about the separation ?
Modal verbs are sometimes called modal auxiliary verbs. They function in the same way as auxiliary verbs (i.e. do / does / did) as they are followed by the infinitive without "to".
I appreciate so much your help and clarification about modal verbs.By the way, I've got another question, please explain to me situation, father talks to his children :
"You must come to the party" and " You have to come to the party".
I think the first is, the father orders his children to come to the party for some reason. Whereas, the other is, he means it's up to his children, they can come or not, he does not mind.
Please, give me more details if possible. Many thanks.
Both "must" and "have to" are used to talk about obligation, so in neither case is it optional for the children to come to the party.
There isn't always a difference in must / have to, but generally, if we use "must", we are saying that the authority comes from us. "You must come to the party" (because I am telling you).
With "have to" the authority for the obligation may come from someone else. For example, "In this school you have to work hard" the authority doesn't come from the speaker, but from the school.
Thanks for your explaination about modals.
Once I heard that "may" is stronger than "might". Is it right ? Please give some specified examples.
As far as I'm concerned, they both have the same level of strength. I don't see any difference between the two when you are talking about certainty / likelihood.
I would like to know the uses of modal verb “would” in the following sentences given below , which sentence contain implicit condition and what is that implicit condition, analysis of the sentence with reference to the uses of “would” in the following sentences and in which tense are the following.
1) We accept that we would be deemed to be aware of the contents of the terms and conditions and that all my rights and liabilities would be governed by the said terms and conditions .
2) Entrance examination would consist of three papers with objective type questions and fourth paper – aptitude test for architecture and planning.
3) All objective type questions would carry three marks.
4) For each incorrect response one mark would be deducted.
5) In no case duplicate admit card would be issued at the examination centers.
6) Final list of institutions admitting students through AIEEE 2009 including counseling procedure, counseling
Schedule and counseling centers would be contained in the information brochure for counseling .
7) Verification of documents would be done at the time of counseling /admission.
8) Work would be finished by now.
9) He would seem to be getting better.
10) I would try my level best to help him.
11) Higher doses of aspirin would have to be consumed to have the same effect.
12) He would certainly give up smoking.
13) The concept of neighborhood would need to be redefined.
14) He would have his own way.
15) Designer would have to bring about confluences between innovation and technology. they would have to be in the know of technology.
16) I hope my suggestion would be taken in to consideration.
17) candidate having knowledge would be preferred.
18) we have decided Sikh without turban would not be allowed to marry in gurudwaras.
19) Bruce would lend you money, I am sure.
20) He would come to attend the party.
21) I would win this match by hook or by cook.
22) You would have to pay for your misdeeds.
23) He would seem to be getting better.
24) I would have to agree with that.
25) I would imagine the operation will take about an hour .
26) You would be required to bring your painting materials and drawing board.
27) Now you have ruined everything . you would act that
Way.
28) I would know her opinion about it .
29) I would not agree with that.
I shall be highly grateful to you if you will take pain to answer all my queries about “would” .
Some of these sentences do not sound correct to me. For example, sentences 2 to 7, which refer to regulations should not contain would. Try something like "In no case can a duplicate card be issued…" or "the entrance examination consists of…"
I can't comment on 8, as it sounds strange. Is work finished or not? In sentence 16, we usually use will with hope; sentence 20, 21 should be a future form, and sentence 28 sounds incorrect.
Many of your sentences express a hypothesis, but I'm not sure what you mean by an implicit condition. Other sentences (23, 2, 25 and 29) show examples of would + typical verbs, such as seem / imagine / agree.
osman
in this postion you have to use "were" because you are saying , if i were you .you can't say if i was you . i hope you'll be understand or maybe carl would be explain more.
The sentence under"How certain something is"
"If you left now,you would get the train"
Why is it "left" instead of "leave"?
Because it's the simple past tense (which we use in second conditional sentences).
i am confuse about "when to use can and should in a sentence." please give me very simple examples.
thanks..
Can – for requests / ability / permission / possibility
Can you help me?
I can play the piano.
Can I go now?
It can sometimes snow in London.
Should – mild obligation / advice
He should drive more slowly.
You should be careful on the streets at night.
can i say? would not be coming? what the nessecery of be
You can have the be + present participle form after modals:
He told me he wouldn't be coming to the party.
Or you can have a bare infinitive after modals:
He told me he wouldn't come to the party.
it was useful i learnt something
thanks
thanx
What is the use of shall?
why and when we use shall in a sentence?
We use shall for offers and suggestions:
Shall I help you?
Shall we go out tonight?
We can also use it to refer to the future, although this isn't very common:
I shall write to him later.
In American English, shall isn't used.
I just want to know one thing that is could we use would instead of do for asking questions?
For Example- Why would you not tell me earlier?
How would you know that?
You can use "would" – especially for the second question when what you're asking is more hypothetical. But in the first, it would be better to use "did" as in "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" You're asking for a concrete reply, rather than for an opinion.
1.If u were in a critical situation yesterday, you should have call me.
2. I must stop them from fighting
3. i can't let you divorce my friend
4. i'll make dinner for my frinds
5. Can you help me in this critical situation ?
6. how could you resign without my permission?
7. I might not be able to attend my class tomorrow?
8. I'll not allow you to attend the dance party in this situation.
9. you would be in your office by 8 o'clock.
Sir can you please check and correct me if there is anything wrong in these sentences.
1.If you were in a critical situation yesterday, you should have called me.
2. I must stop them from fighting
3. i can't let you divorce my friend
4. I'll make dinner for my friends
5. Can you help me in this critical situation ?
6. How could you resign without my permission?
7. I might not be able to attend my class tomorrow.
8. I won't allow you to attend the dance party in this situation.
9. You must be in your office by 8 o'clock.
please tell me , how the way explain about modal as ability,permossion,obligation,posibility. thank you
I don't really understand your question. Is there something specific about modals that you don't understand?
Also explain me difference between following:
May/Might
Can/Could
There are many differences between these, and between will / would. You can use them in different contexts, so it's a question of learning which modal you can use for which purpose. On the page, I've shown which ones you can use in different contexts.
Could you help me?
Vs
Can you pass me the salt, please?
As per me, both are the requests. I am not getting from this when should we use can and when could.
Also explain me whats the difference in meaning, in following, which one should use at what time.
could you help me
vs
can you help me
Please explain me the difference between following:
will you marry me
VS
Would you marry me
Yes, both are requests. We use "can" when we know the person well, or when the request is small. But if we want to be more polite – if we don't know the person or it is a big request, then we can use "could".
Will you…? is more informal and friendly than would you…?
I just need to know how to use May and Might?
I am little bit confused about it
We can use both to talk about possibility: "It may / might rain tomorrow". We use "may" for other uses too, such as to make requests "May I leave now?" and to give permission "Yes, you may".
can we use' ought to' instead of 'must' for obligation.
It's not as strong as "must". It's more for giving advice than talking about an obligation.
When do we use can/could and may/might?
Which sentences below are correct? Any difference in meaning among the sentences below?
"It might be helpful if you can read that book by this week"
"It may be helpful if you read that book by this week"
"It could be helpful if you read that book by this week"
"It can be helpful if you read that book by this week"
We often use "might" to give tentative advice.
"May" means that there's a good possibility that something will help.
"Could" is also used for advice, and it's a bit more direct than "might".
Use "can" to talk about general possibilities, not specific ones like reading a particular book.
hi clare,
What is the difference of your sentences with me?(please correct my sentences.)
can you help me? — could you help me?(difference of this?)
We might have to wait…
The company may relocate…
If you left now , you will get the train.
can or could i open the door for you?
I could cook. but i couldn't drive.
If you want to learn English . you should practise much.(If you practice.you would learn English.)
you mustn't wash the car.(can i say.)
We may (heve to)wait an hour for dinner in this restaurant.(what is have to in this?)
Where whould and whould use?
can you help me? — could you help me?(difference of this?)
The second is more polite / formal.
We might have to wait…
The company may relocate…
If you left now , you will get the train.
The first two are less certain than the third.
can or could i open the door for you?
The second is more formal than the first.
I could cook. but i couldn't drive.
To refer to ability in the past.
If you want to learn English . you should practise a lot.
Should to give advice.
you mustn't wash the car.(can i say.)
Yes – you are forbidden to wash the car.
We may (heve to)wait an hour for dinner in this restaurant.(what is have to in this?)
have to – necessity. "It may be necessary for us to wait an hour."
is it safe to say that we don't use a negative word (in essence) with "don't have to"?
for example:
"You don't have to forget a first aid kit."
I think it's better if we say, "You shouldn't forget a first aid kit."
How about, "You don't have to forget your passport." Passport is necessary for your entry to another country. 'Have to' describes necessity while 'Should' expresses suggestions. Which is which? thanks
You don't have to = it isn't necessary to (you have a choice)
In your examples you're talking about necessity. "You mustn't forget your passport" is correct, or "You shouldn't forget…"
Shall i take your pen?
I must take some courses.
I would travel tomorrow.
He ought to study him homework.
She have to clean her home.
We might go out today.
All fine, except the second to last which should be "She has to…"
Hi
Clare
This website is very useful for me because I didn't undestand the Modal verb but Now I can understand.
Please update me the below sentence is formal or not and should I use this for professional.
Do you me a favor?
It sounds like an order, To make it more polite, add could:
Could you do me a favour?
