Modal Verb	Uses 	Example 	
Can	Ability / Possibility	They can control their own budgets. 	
	Inability / Impossibility 	I’m sorry. We can’t fix it. 	
	Asking for permission 	Can I smoke here? 	
	Requests	Can you help me? 	
Could	Asking for permission. 	Could I borrow your dictionary? 	
	Requests	Could you say it again more slowly?	
	Suggestions	We could try to fix it ourselves. 	
	Future possibility	I think we could have another war. 	
	Ability in the past	He gave up his old job so he could work for us.	
May	Asking for permission (polite)	May I have another cup of coffee?	
	Future possibility	China may become a major economic power.	
Might	Future possibility	They might give us a 10% discount.	
Must	Necessity	We must say good-bye now.	
	Obligation	You must pay me back by next week.	
	Prohibition	They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.	
Ought to	Saying what’s right or correct	We ought to employ a professional translator.	
	Future probability (quite certain)	The football match ought to start on time.	
Shall 	Offers	Shall I help you with your luggage?	
	Suggestions	Shall we say 2.30 then?	
	Asking what to do	Shall I do that or will you?	
Should	Saying what’s right or correct	We should sort out this problem at once.	
	Recommending action 	I think we should check everything again.	
Will	Predictions	Profits will increase next year.	
	Instant decisions	I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk.	
	Promises	I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. 	
Would	Asking for permission 	Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me?	
	Making a request	Would you pass the salt please?	
	Invitation	Would you mind waiting a moment?	
	Stating or asking preferences	"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please." 	
	Making arrangements	"Would three o’clock suit you?”