Can could have to will may ought to
must mustn’t need needn’t should would rather
would might used to be used to get used to had better
Decide which of the modal verbs in the box below correspond to the different uses. Sometimes more than one modal is possible
Uses
1. to ask for something politely :
2. to offer to do something:
3. to express a strong advice:
4. absence of obligation:
5. to express preferences:
6. to express obligation:
7. to be accustomed to doing something:
8. to give advice:
9. to express possibility:
10. to express future predictions:
11. to become accustomed to doing something:
12. to express necessity:
13. to express habits or routines in the past:
14. to express prohibition
These modal verbs can be used to politely ask for something.
2. to offer to do something: can, could, may, would
Any of these modal verbs can be used to express an offer to do something.
3. to express a strong advice: should, must, ought to
These modal verbs can be used to give strong advice or recommendations.
4. absence of obligation: needn't, don't have to
"Needn't" and "don't have to" can be used to indicate that there is no obligation or necessity to do something.
5. to express preferences: would rather
The modal verb "would rather" is used to express a preference or a choice between two options.
6. to express obligation: must, have to
These modal verbs are used to indicate a necessity or obligation to do something.
7. to be accustomed to doing something: used to, be used to, get used to
"Used to," "be used to," and "get used to" are used to express being familiar or accustomed to doing something.
8. to give advice: should, ought to
These modal verbs can be used to give advice.
9. to express possibility: can, could, may, might
These modal verbs are used to express possibility or potential.
10. to express future predictions: will
The modal verb "will" can be used to express future predictions or events.
11. to become accustomed to doing something: get used to
The phrase "get used to" is used to express the process of becoming accustomed to doing something.
12. to express necessity: must, have to, had better
These modal verbs are used to express necessity or a strong recommendation.
13. to express habits or routines in the past: used to
The phrase "used to" is used to express past habits or routines.
14. to express prohibition: mustn't, shouldn't
"Mustn't" and "shouldn't" are used to prohibit or express that something is not allowed.
It is important to note that there can be some overlap in the usage of modal verbs and more than one modal can be possible for certain uses. Additionally, context and specific situations can influence the choice of modal verb.