Padd Solutions

Some important modals in English are: can, may, will, would, should and must.

Statements: Subjects {I} + MODAL {can} + Main Verb {go}

Questions: MODAL {can} + Subject {I} + Main Verb {go?}

Modals have no third person singular form. One form is used for all subjects: I, you, we, they, he, she, it + MODAL

can + not = can't {or cannot}

may + not = may not

will + not = won't

would + not = wouldn't

should + not = shouldn't

must + not = mustn't

CAN : MAY: Can- expresses ability. Can't or Cannot expresses inability. We can use can in making requests. However some people may prefer MAY and consider CAN inappropriate. We can also use MAY and CAN in giving permission. {EXAMPLE: You can leave your books here. You may leave your books here.} CANNOT, CAN'T and MAY NOT indicate permission is not given. MAY indicates possibility and probability. {EXAMPLE: She may be here. It may rain tonight}

WILL: Will indicates future time. {EXAMPLE: The class will start at 7:30 a.m.} WILL used with the first person often indicates a promise. {EXAMPLE: I will write often -means- I promise to wrote often}

WOULD: Sentences such as "She would come" or "Would she come?" suggest that fulfillment depends on some conditions. {EXAMPLE: She would come - if she had time} WOULD NOT or WOULDN'T indicates a negative attitude.

SHOULD: Should indicates obligations and necessity. {EXAMPLE: You should study more} SHOULD NOT or SHOULDN'T indicates an obligation not to do something when it is used in a negative statement. {EXAMPLE: You shouldn't drive so fast} Questions introduced by SHOULD ask for advice. Those introduced by SHOULDN'T offer suggestions. {EXAMPLE: Should I call this late? -means-Do you think I should call?}

MUST: Must indicates a strong sense of obligation. {EXAMPLE: You must report to headquarters.} MUST NOT or MUSTN'T indicates a strong sense of obligation not to do something. {EXAMPLE: You must not call after midnight}