We will now talk about 'will' and then see how they differ in direct comparison. It is used to talk about plans already made and also to make predictions based on evidence we see now.

We have already discussed the use of 'going to' to talk about the future. Note that all three of these modal verbs are followed directly by an infinitive verb without 'to'. (possibility)Ĭan you help me with this package? (request)Ĭould you lend me ten dollars? (polite request) We can also use 'can' to talk about possibility, permission and make polite requests: We have already seen that 'can' can be used to talk about ability, with 'could' used in the past: Might I borrow your telephone for a few moments? Used in questions, these two are ways of asking for something in a polite/formal way. These are similar in meaning and are used to express possibility.Ī: I don't know. You shouldn't speak to your mother like that - show some respect! If you want to pass your exams, you shouldn't go out tonight. We use 'shouldn't' to talk about something you are advising a person not to do. They should win the championship this year. You should go to the doctor if your headaches continue. This is used to give advice or to express what you expect. There are modal verbs which have different meanings and different functions. (See the next sections for modal verbs 'will' and 'must/mustn't'.) They are generally used with other verbs in the infinitive: Modal verbs are irregular auxiliary verbs (they don't have regular past and present forms, for example) that express ability, necessity, requests, advice, permission, probability and so on.

Esol modal verbs exercises