Modal Verbs List and Example Sentences
| CAN | Ability | I can speak Spanish. |
| Permission | Can I go to bathroom? | |
| Probability | It can’t be Mark. He is in London. | |
| COULD | Past ability | He could speak French when he was 6 years old. |
| Past permission | He could go to theater. | |
| Probability (40%) | It could get much hotter in July. | |
| Request | I could lend you my notebook. | |
| MAY | Probability(50%) | It may snow tomorrow. |
| Permission | May I come in? | |
| MIGHT | Probability (35% or less) | It might rain today. |
| MUST | Prohibition | You mustn’t speak loudly. It is hospital. |
| Deduction/probability(100%) | The teacher must be Mark. I’ve seen his bicycle outside. | |
| SHOULD | Advice | You shouldn’t smoke. It is unhealthy. |
| WILL | Prediction | I think he will study harder this time. |
| Spontaneous decision | Oh, it’s very hot today. I’II open the window. |
