Modal verbs are helping verbs that are used to express - ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Can, could, will, would, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must, all are Modal verbs.
Modal Verb
Expression
Usage
Can
Permission/Request
Ability
Suggestion
Possibility
Can I borrow your file?
I can finish the report
Can we try to see from the user’s perspective?
They can get very aggressive during the call
Could
Permission/Request
Possibility
Could you please send me that data?
The discussion could take hours before we reach a decision
May
Possibility
Permission
Polite suggestion
I may start making calls today
May I take the day off?
May I help you?
Might
Possibility (with low assurance)
The meeting might be tomorrow
Shall
Offer
Formal
Shall I drop you at your office?
We shall inform you
Should
Advice
Should we carry our laptop to the office?
You should carry the laptop to the office
Will
Willingness, promise
Certainty
Will you be present in the meeting tomorrow?
I will send the report by 7.00 p.m.
Would
Request
Habit in the past
Would you recommend this product to any of your friends?
Sometimes he would write for hours, now he has no time
Must
Obligation
Advice/Recommendation
All the documents must be submitted by tomorrow
You must take up the course
Must Not
Prohibition
You must not make any error in the letter
Need Not
Not necessary
You need not work on the presentation, the meeting is postponed
Ought to
Advice/Obligation (similar to should)
You ought to read the emails carefully before sending it to the clients
