FUTURE TENSE – MODAL VERBS

Different Meaning Of The Modal Verbs

(+ some phrasal verbs)

Modal Verbs

1. Can

2. Could

3. May

4. Might

5. Must

6. Shall

7. Should

8. Will

9. Would For example:

Modals can express that a speaker feels somethins is

necessary, advisable, permissible, possible, or

problable; and in addition, they can convey the strengh

of those attitudes.

Modal Auxiliaries generally express speakers’ attitudes.

Can

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.

OPPORTUNITYI'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then.

PERMISSIONI can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.

 

REQUESTCan I have a glass of water? / Can't I have a glass of water?

 POSSIBILITYLearning a language can be a real challenge. /

You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old.

COULD

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can.“

• POSSIBILITYJohn could go to jail for stealing the money. / Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.

• SUGGESTIONYou could spend your vacation in Hawaii. 

POLITE REQUESTCould I borrow your stapler? / Couldn't you help me with this for just a second?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

MAY

"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.• POSSIBILITYJack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth./ Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth

• GIVE PERMISSIONYou may leave the table when you finish your dinner. / You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner. 

• REQUEST PERMISSIONMay I borrow your eraser? / May I make a phone call?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

MIGHT "Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often

used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English

• POSSIBILITYShe might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride./She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.

• CONDITIONAL OF MAYIf I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it./Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.

• SUGGESTIONYou might try the cheesecake./ You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.

• REQUESTMight I have something to drink? / Might I borrow the stapler?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

MUST "Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to

express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.

• Must Not - PROHIBITIONYou must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles. / You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics.

PROHIBITION USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

NECESSITYWe must get a permit to enter the park next week. 

SHALL "Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in

sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.• FUTURE ACTION

I shall be there by 8:00. / I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation. • SUGGESTIONS

Shall we begin dinner? / Shall we move into the living room?• VOLUNTEERING, PROMISING.I shall take care of everything for you. / I shall never forget you

• INEVITABILITYWe shall overcome oppression / He shall not be held back. 

SHOULD "Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give

advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

• RECOMMENDATION, ADVISABILITYYou really should start eating better./Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.

• OBLIGATIONWe should return the video before the video rental store closes.

"SHOULD" CAN ALSO EXPRESS SOMETHING BETWEEN RECOMMENDATION AND OBLIGATION. "BE SUPPOSED TO" EXPRESSES A SIMILAR IDEA AND CAN EASILY BE

USED IN THE PAST OR IN NEGATIVE FORMS.• EXPECTATIONSusan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday. /Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.

WOULD

"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past.

• CONDITIONALIf I were elected president next year, I would cut the cost of education./ If I were president, I would not sign the tax increase next week.

WILL USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary

Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

USE 3 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future.

Tips

Each Modal verb have more tan one meaning or use.

Modal Verbs do not take a final –S, ever when the subject is she, he or it.

Correct: She can do it.

Incorrect: She cans do it

Have To

"Have to" is used to express necessity

• NECESSITYShe will have to finish the other books before the final exam./ She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course.

Have Got To

"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.

• NECESSITY- You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater./SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" - You won't have to be there on time to get a seat.

FUTURE OBLIGATIONHaven't you got to be there by 7:00? / Haven't you got to finish that project today?

"HAVEN'T GOT TO" IS PRIMARILY USED TO ASK ABOUT FUTURE OBLIGATIONS. IT CAN BE USED IN STATEMENTS, BUT THIS IS LESS COMMON.

Had Better

"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.

• RECOMMENDATIONYou had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it /  You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it.

• DESPERATE HOPE, WARNINGThe movie had better end soon. / They had better be here before we start dinner. They had better not be late. / They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift.

DESPERATE HOPES AND WARNINGS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE

Ought To "Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought

to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."

• RECOMMENDATION, ADVICEMargaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight. / Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us.

• ASSUMPTION, EXPECTATION, PROBABILITYShe ought to receive the package tonight.

"OUGHT NOT" IS USED PRIMARILY TO EXPRESS NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS. (SEE ABOVE.)

Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not."

Bibliography

http://www.englishpage.com/index.html

Understanding and using English Grammar, 4th Edition, Betty S. Azar and Stacy A. Hagen