When to Use Each Modal (Second Part)

Each  modal has a specific use. Using the wrong modal can completely change the meaning of the sentence. This is a cheat sheet that should help you when choosing the correct word.

• Can - ability - present / future 

I can sing that song. ♪♫

• Can - request / question

Can you sing everywhere?

• Can - permission to do something

You can listen to me everywhere.

• Can - possibility 

You can dance and sing if you want.

• Could - past ability

I could dance.

• Could  - request / question

Could you hold this for me?

• Could  - possibility - used more in unreal situations

I could be up there right now.

• May - request (more formal) / question

May I pet the lion?

• May - permission (giving permission, more formal)

Yes, you may pet the lion.

• May - medium probability

The singer may be tired after the concert.

• Might  - slight probability

The musicians might be tired, too.

• Must  - necessity -mandatory obligation

The audience must be pay your tickets before the concert.

• Must - logical conclusion

The dogs not hurt their owners. They must have known each other for a long time.

• Shall - polite question

Shall we go say hello to the king?

• Shall - future (formal)

Ladies and gentlemen, the king shall begin to sing shortly.

• Should  - advice / suggestion

The singers should practice everyday.

• Should  - high probability

The musicians should be ready in a minute.

• Will  - intention or promise

We will go to the concert tonight.

• Will  - future (certainty)

I will see my friends by 9:30.

• Would  - habitual action (simple past)

When I was young, we would go to the T.V show.

• Would  - polite question

Would you mind if I borrow your make up today?

• Would  - preference

I would rather juggle than do trapeze stunts.