Modal verbs

Modal verbs are special verbs that give additional meaning to the main verb in a
sentence. They express things like possibility, necessity, ability, permission, or
requests.

1. Can (Ability or Permission)

 Ability: It shows you can do something.
Ex: I can swim. (I know how to swim.)
 Permission: It shows you are allowed to do something.
Ex: Can I go to the bathroom? (Asking for permission.)
2. Could (Past Ability or Polite Requests)
 Past Ability: It shows you were able to do something in the past.
Ex: When I was young, I could run fast. (In the past, I could do it.)
 Polite Requests: It’s also used for polite requests.
Ex: Could you help me? (A polite way of asking for help.)

3. Would (Polite Requests, Offers, or Future in the Past)

Polite Requests: It’s a more polite form of “will.”

Ex: Would you like some tea? (Offering politely.)

Future in the Past: It shows something that was expected in the past.

Ex: She said she would call me. (She promised to call in the past.)

4. May (Possibility or Permission)

Possibility: It shows something might happen.

 Ex: It may rain tomorrow. (It’s possible.)
Permission: It can also be used for permission, especially formal.
Ex: May I leave now? (Asking for permission.)

5. Might (Possibility)

Possibility: It shows a smaller chance or something less likely.

Ex: I might go to the party. (It’s possible, but not certain.)

6. Must (Necessity or Strong Recommendation)

Necessity: It shows something is very important to do.

Ex: You must study for the test. (It’s necessary.)
Strong Recommendation: It can show something you should do.
Ex: You must see that movie! (It’s highly recommended.)

7. Should (Advice or Suggestion)

Advice/Suggestion: It gives advice or suggests something.

Ex: You should eat healthy food. (It’s a good idea.)

8. Have to (Obligation)

Obligation or Necessity: to show that something is necessary or required. It

often indicates an obligation or a rule that a person must follow. It is similar
to "must" but is more commonly used in informal language.
Ex: You have to wear a seatbelt when driving.
Difference Between May and Might
"May" and "might" are both modal verbs used to express possibility, but they
have slight differences in usage depending on the level of certainty, formality, and
context.

1. Degree of Possibility
 May: Suggests a stronger or more likely possibility.
o It may rain later. (There’s a reasonable chance it will rain.)
 Might: Suggests a weaker or less likely possibility.
o It might rain later. (There’s a smaller chance of rain.)

2. Formality
 May is more formal and polite.
o You may leave now. (Formal permission.)
 Might is more casual and less formal.
o We might go out later. (Casual possibility.)

3. Permission
 May is commonly used to ask for or grant permission.
o May I use your phone? (Formal request for permission.)
 Might is not typically used for permission.
o Might I use your phone? (Rare and overly formal.)

4. Past vs. Present/Future

 May is used for present or future possibilities.
o She may come to the party. (There’s a chance she will come.)
  Might can be used for present or future, but it is also commonly used to
indicate a possibility in the past.
o She might have missed the bus. (Possible reason in the past.)

5. Interchangeability
In many cases, "may" and "might" are interchangeable, but the choice depends
on how likely the speaker thinks the possibility is or the tone they want to use.
 I may go to the gym later. (Sounds like you’re leaning toward going.)
 I might go to the gym later. (Sounds like you’re unsure or less likely to go.)

Summary Chart
Aspect May Might
Possibility Stronger likelihood Weaker likelihood
Formality More formal Less formal
Permission Used to grant/ask permission Rarely used for permission
Past Use Not used for past events Often used for past possibilities

Examples:
1. It may snow tonight. (More likely.)
2. It might snow tonight. (Less likely.)
3. May I sit here? (Formal request.)
4. He might have forgotten about the meeting. (Past possibility.)

Difference Between Have to and Must

"Have to" and "must" are both used to express necessity or obligation, but there
are differences in how they are used based on context, formality, and origin of the
obligation.

1. Source of Obligation
 Have to: Refers to external rules or obligations imposed by someone else or
circumstances.
o I have to wear a uniform at work. (The rule is set by the workplace.)
o You have to stop at a red light. (A law or external rule.)
 Must: Implies a personal or internal obligation, often based on the
speaker's feelings, advice, or strong recommendation. It can also be used
for laws or rule to show more seriousness to it.
o I must finish this book; it’s so good! (Internal feeling of necessity.)
o You must try this cake; it’s delicious! (Speaker's strong suggestion.)
o You must wear your safety suit in the lab. (seriousness of a rule)

2. Formality
 Have to: More common in everyday, informal speech.
o I have to go to the doctor. (Casual and common.)
 Must: More formal and used in written or spoken contexts with authority
or emphasis.
o Visitors must wear a badge at all times. (Formal rule or instruction.)

3. Negatives
 Have to: Don’t/doesn’t have to means something is not necessary.
o You don’t have to come if you’re busy. (It’s optional.)
 Must: Must not means something is forbidden or not allowed.
 o You must not touch that; it’s dangerous! (Strict prohibition.)

4. Usage in Questions
 Have to: Commonly used in questions.
o Do I have to finish this today? (Asking about an obligation.)
 Must: Rarely used in questions; it can sound formal or old-fashioned.
o Must I finish this today? (Sounds very formal.)

5. Expressing the Past

 Have to: Can be used in the past with "had to."
o I had to leave early yesterday.
 Must: Does not have a past form. Instead, we use "had to" for past
obligations.
o I had to finish the project on time. (Past necessity.)

Summary Chart
Aspect Have to Must
Source of External (rules, laws, others’ Internal (personal belief,
Obligation rules) advice)
Formality Informal More formal
Negative Form Not necessary: don’t have to Prohibition: must not
Past Form Had to Use had to instead
Rare and formal (e.g., Must
Questions Common (e.g., Do I have to?)
I?)

Examples:
 1. I have to finish my homework before dinner. (A rule set by someone else or
circumstances.)
2. I must call my mom; it’s her birthday today! (Internal feeling of obligation.)
3. You don’t have to come to the meeting. (It’s not necessary.)
4. You must not park here; it’s a fire lane. (Prohibited by a strict rule.)
5. I had to take the bus because my car broke down. (Past necessity.)

Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb
1. I __________ (can/could) play the piano when I was younger.
2. You __________ (must/should) wear a helmet when riding a bike.
3. __________ (Can/May) I borrow your pen?
4. I __________ (can/could) go to the party if I finish my homework.
5. He __________ (might/may) come to the meeting later.
6. We __________ (should/must/have to) leave now to catch the bus.
7. __________ (Could/Can) you help me with my homework, please?
8. I __________ (can/could) hear a noise outside.
9. You __________ (should/must/have to) take an umbrella; it looks like rain.
10.She __________ (may/might) be at the office now.
11.__________ (Can/Might) we go for a walk after dinner?
12.I __________ (could/might) like a cup of tea, please.
13.You __________ (must/should/have to) see that movie; it’s amazing!
14.__________ (Could/Can) I ask you a question?
15.I __________ (must/can/have to) finish my report by tomorrow.
Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (can, could, may, might, must, have
to, should, would)
1) You __________ (must/have to) wear a seatbelt when driving; it’s the law.
2) __________ (Would/May) you like a cup of tea?
3) When I was younger, I __________ (could/can) climb trees all day.
4) You __________ (should/would) apologize for being late; it’s polite.
5) I __________ (might/may) visit my cousin this weekend if I finish my work.
6) We __________ (have to/must) leave now, or we’ll miss the bus.
7) She __________ (would/can) always read a book before going to bed when
she was a child.
8) __________ (Could/Can) you help me carry these boxes, please?
9) They __________ (don’t have to/must not) enter the room until it’s
cleaned.
10) I __________ (can/would) never understand how he solves puzzles so
quickly!
11) You __________ (should/must) eat more vegetables; they’re good for
you.
12) He __________ (might/could) be running late because of traffic.
13) We __________ (might/may) visit that new museum if it’s open on
Sunday.
14) I __________ (don’t have to/must not) finish this project tonight; I can do it
tomorrow.
15) __________ (Would/Can) you mind closing the window? It’s getting chilly.