Learn English about Modal Verbs l What are the Modal Verbs? English Subtitles

Question number two is from Deedee on Facebook and Deedee asked: what is the difference between

could, would, should, might, can, and must?

And thank you so much for your help.

Well, you're welcome and I hope that this answer helps you.

So, these are all modal verbs.

These are a type of verb in English and let me tell you a quick summary of what all these

mean.

Can is used to talk about possibility, general truths, asking for permission, and ability.

So, possibility we might say something like: I can play guitar right.

Or, I’m sorry that's ability possibility.

I might ask something like, can you hang out with me this weekend?

General truths, you can see the moon at night, right?

A general fact asking permission; can I go?

Maybe a student would ask something like; can I go to the bathroom?

Asking permission and ability that's what I meant to say first.

I can play guitar.

I can surf very well.

So, this is how we use can.

Can is also used, this is not a conditional, and we will talk about that in a moment.

So next is “may.”

May is used for possibility, probability, and desire.

So, for example, possibility and probability, we're talking about what could or might happen.

So, I could say something like; you may see a shooting star tonight right.

It's possible or it's probable you may.

Right, similar to “might” you may, you might.

There is a chance, there is a possibility or a probability.

We can also use “may’ in a little bit of a not so typical or not normal way, but

we do hear it in English which is to wish someone well or to show a desire.

For example, I might say something like; may you have a happy holiday.

Right, so I have a desire and I’m expressing that desire.

May you have a happy holiday.

So, we can also use “may” to express desire or give well wishes.

Next is “should.”

So, should is used for advice and suggestions.

So, for example, you should do your homework.

Right, this is some advice.

You should do it.

Or suggestions, maybe you're asking, what should I do this weekend?

Oh, I think you should go see a movie.

So, “should” is used for advice and suggestions.

“Could” can be used to talk about possibility in the past, polite requests, conditional

sentences, and abilities.

So, let's first take a look at polite requests.

Possibility in the past in conditional sentences, we'll talk about in a moment, and we'll talk

about it more in a future question.

So, a polite request.

We can use “can” to ask for permission or for a request.

Can I… can you…

Hey, can you get that pencil for me?

But if we want to be more polite, we would start with, could.

Could you get that pencil for me?

So, we can use it to make a polite request.

We also use “could” for conditionals and talking about possibilities in the past.

So, a conditional, would be something like; if I could travel anywhere, I would go to

Spain.

So could, and also ability or I’ll say possibility, also in the present.

Maybe you ask; what could I do?

Well, you could do this, or he could play basketball very well when he was young.

So, we use could in all of these many many ways.

Next, let's take a look at “might.”

So, “might,” we use to talk about any possibilities in the past, present, or future.

He might have done something in the past, he might do something now, or he might do

something in the future.

“Might” and “may” are similar, and again mean that there is a small chance, maybe

50 percent chance of something happening.

If we use it in that way.

I may go see my friend, or I might go see my friend; similar meaning.

Next is “would.”

So, would is also a conditional, and we're going to talk about conditionals very soon.

We can use would to ask for permission, or make polite requests just like we can with

could.

So, I would say for politeness, normal sentence maybe asking a friend; can you get a pencil

for me?

Maybe low formal, not rude, but not very polite.

Could you get the pencil for me?

A little more polite, would you please get the pencil for me?

Very polite.

So, we can use would to ask very politely how to do something for someone.

To do something, or in conditional sentences.

So, in that same example, if I could travel anywhere, I would.

So, we can use it to talk about a possibility.

That a conditional possibility.

Something not real right.

I would do this, maybe something we're imagining, if I was in this situation, I would do this.

So, we'll talk about that soon.

And your last word was “must.”

“Must means have to, and this is used to say something is very important, necessary,

or urgent.

So, it's not; you should right?

This is also often used for very strong advice.

So, you should do your homework.

Just a small suggestion.

You must do your homework, means you have to, no choice, you must do it.

So, to give a command, or it is important for you to do something.

You must!

So this is a quick little chart showing different ways we use these modals.