Modal Verbs, Can, May, Shall, Need, Ought to, Have to, Would, Should, Used to, Definition and Examples

Modal Verbs, Can, May, Shall, Need, Ought to, Have to, Would, Should, Used to, Definition and Examples





NEED(un)necessity
BE TOObligation arising out of arrangement or agreement
HAVE TOUnwillingness, forced circumtances
WOULDWish (with “to like”), polite request, a habit of the past
SHOULDNecessity, advice, blame, recommendation, reproach, regret
USED TORepeated action in the past




CANAbility, doubt,
astonishment, permission, Polite request
MAYPermission, if not prohibition, supposition with doubt
MUSTObligation, firm necessity, logical conclusion, probability
SHALLintention, supposition
WILLWish, desire, will, confidence, in the future
OUGHT TOMoral duty, insistent advice, strict recommendation

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