Common Modal Usage
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Using Simple Tenses and Modals
To state facts
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Past |
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Lions live in Africa. |
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Dinosaurs roamed the earth for millions of years. |
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Mr. Jones can juggle. |
Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. |
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My grandmother passed away last March. |
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He couldn't swim at age 10. |
To express opinions
(I think) smoking is a disgusting habit. |
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That was delicious. |
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Gambling should be banned in the US. |
The Internet is more useful than the library. |
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I thought she gave an excellent performance. |
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He must really like ice cream. |
I think it was a beautiful concert. |
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You should have left earlier. |
To indicate actions which occur every day or on a regular basis
I get up at 7:30 every day. |
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When I was in high school, I got up at 6:30. |
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I have to be at the office at 7. |
My father drives to work on Tuesdays. |
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My mother rode the bus until she bought a car. |
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They used to take the subway. |
With frequency adverbs
Jerry always comes to class on time. |
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At camp, she usually ate breakfast before 7:00. |
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You should never be late for work. |
Using Modals in various situations
Requesting |
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Asking Permission |
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Possibility |
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Hinting |
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Other |
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Can you help me? |
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Can I help you? |
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I can use some help. |
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I can help you. |
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Could you help me? |
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Could I help you? |
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I could use some help. |
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I could help you. |
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May I help you? |
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I may need some |
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I may help you. |
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help. (probably) |
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I might need some |
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I might help you |
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help. (probably) |
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Will you help me? |
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I will need some |
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I will help you. |
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help. (most likely) |
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Would you help me? |
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I would need some help. |
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I would help you. |
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(I guess I probably can't |
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do it by myself.) |
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Would you mind |
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Would you mind if |
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helping me? |
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I helped you? |
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See also :
Grammar : Basic Modals, Past Modals