Undefined
Level: beginner
The modal verbs are:
| can may must shall will |
could might should would |
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible:
My keys must be in the car.
It might rain tomorrow.
That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small.
We also use them to do things like talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers:
I can't swim.
May I ask a question?
Could I have some tea, please?
Would you like some help?
- Modal verbs
Comments
Hello. First, I really appreciate your help. I have benefited so much from all the replies and answers of the members of your team.
Now, Which modal is correct or both? Why?
Without my glasses I can’t see what that is on the wall, but it (can - could) be a spider.
Thank you.
Could any one help me on how to ask past action questions by using "could"(Positive and negative) ?
Hello Chittineni,
We form questions with 'could' through inversion of 'could' and the subject. For example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello.I would like to ask if it is wise to learn by heart all the modal verbs.
Thank you.
Hello Mina Mantzorou
We use many modal verbs quite often, so I would say that it's important to recognise them and know their main uses and meanings. It's probably better to concentrate on just a few modals at a time, as each one has different meanings and uses and it can take time to learn to really use them.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello!1) i would have been late if mr Neal did not drive, 2) i am happy that you would come if i would let you cook dinner . are these sentence correct?
i think they might also make the same sense witten in the following way:
1) i wuold have been late if Mr Neal had not driven; 2) i am happy that you would come if i let you cook dinner.
Thanks.
Hello rosario70,
The first sentence is rather odd. If you use did not drive then you are taking about Mr. Neal's general ability (that he knows how to drive) rather than what he did in a particular case. Therefore had not driven (talking about what Mr. Neal did on one particular journey) makes more sense.
In the second sentence you should use if I let rather than if I would let. We very rarely use would or will in the if-clause of conditonal sentences.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
That's all right, now it's clear . Those ones also sounded strange to me and i had some doubt , even though i'd heard that in a american movie.
Thanks again.
Hello. Some of my colleagues, teachers of English, say that in the following sentence, "must" is wrong and they use "have to", or "need to". Please, which one is correct?
In England, most people must work until they are 67.
Thank you.
Hello Ahmed Imam,
The sentence describes an external obligation rather than something we impose on ourselves, so 'have to' is a more natural choice. However, the distinction between 'must' and 'have to' is a subtle one and I would not say that 'must' is wrong here.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
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