The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

Categories of meaning expressed by modals

Modals to express ability: CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO

Modals to express advice: SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER

Modals to express assumption: WILL, SHOULD, OUGHT TO

Modals to express criticism: CAN, COULD, MIGHT, SHOULD

The semi-modal DARE

Modals to express deduction: MUST, CAN'T, COULDN'T

Modals to express habits: WILL, WOULD, USED TO

Modals to express intentions: BE GOING TO, WILL

Modals to express necessity / obligation: MUST, HAVE (GOT) TO, NEED, SHOULD, OUGHT TO, SHALL

Modals to express offers: CAN, COULD, WILL, SHALL, MAY

Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T, BE TO

Modals to express possibility: MAY, MIGHT, CAN, COULD

Modals to express predictions: BE GOING TO, WILL

Modals to express requests: CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD

Modals to express suggestions: SHOULD, COULD, MIGHT, SHALL

The modal SHOULD to express surprise

The modal WOULD to express unreal situations

Modals to express willingness / unwillingness: WILL, WOULD