6th Class English Modals Use of Modals

    Use of Modals  

 

       Use of shall/will

Generally "shall" is used with "I and we" and will is used with the rest.  

 

I shall by buy a laptop.

You will go to market.

But

If a sentence refers to

(1) Promise

(2) Willingness

(3) Certainty

(4) Determination

(5) Threat in which case "shall" is used in place of "will" and "will is used in place of "shall".    

 

 

I will help you (Promise or willingness)

I will kill you (Threat)

Nobody shall touch this book without my permission (Threat)  

 

      Use of Should

(i)   "Should" is used for any active suggestion

You should work sincerely

Work hard lest you should fail.

(ii)   "Should" is used for opinion

Which work should I do first?

(iii) "Should" is used for duty or obligation

I should be at work now.

One should wear seat best while driving

(iv) "Should" is used for probability or expectation

He should be here soon.

Steve should have submitted the report.

 

 

      Used of would

(i) "Would" is used for past

Example: He would go for a walk when he was young.

(ii) "Would" is used for polite request

Example: Would you like to take a cup of coffee or tea?

(iii) In indirect sentence 'would' is used as part of "will"

Direct: He said, "He will come".

Indirect: He said that he would come.

(iv) "Would" is used to express opinion or hope

Example: I would like to inform you about it

(V) "Would" is used for wish

Example: I wish I would be a successful man

 

 

       Use of Can

(i) "Can" is used to show power

The ambassador can give you visa.

(ii) "Can" is used to show ability

I can solve this sum.

(iii) "Can" is used to show possibility

Anyone can speak English?

(iv) "Can" is used to take/ give permission

Can I sit here

You can go now.

(V) "Can" is used for polite request

Can you do me a favour?

Can ItalktoSteve?

(VI) "Can" is used to show nature

He can speak the truth.

 

 

        Use of Could

"Could" is the past form of "can"

(i) "Could" is used to show possibility in past

I could win the race last year

(ii) "I could" is used to show ability in past

She could speak English when she was young

(iii) "Could" is used for polite request

Could you tell me the way to the nearest post office? 

 

 

       Use of May

(i)   "May" is used for formal permission

May I come in sir?

May I borrow your pen?

(ii)  "May" is used to show possibility

It may rain today

Death may come any time

 

 

 

       Use of Might

(i)   "Might" is used for weak possibility

Hemightcome anytime

(ii)  "Might" is used for past possibility

She might have attended the meeting

 

 

 

      Use of Must

(i)   "Must" is used for necessity and obligation.

I must attend the class

(ii)  "Must" is used for compulsion

You must obey the rules of your country

(iii) "Must" is used for emphatic advice

You must not miss the class

 

 

 

        Use of Need To

(i)   "Need" to is used to show requirement

You need to work hard  

 

 

      Use of Used To

 

(i)   "Used" to is used to show past habit

I used to go to school when 1 was young

We used to go out for dinner when we were in Delhi

 

 

      Use of Ought To

(i)   "Ought" to is used for social binding and moral respect

You ought to follow the norms of society

You ought to respect your elders

 

 

 

       Use of Dare

(i)   "Dare" is used to show courage

How dare you to come here?