Modal Verbs

By Miguel Villegas

Should Might Could Ought to

Modal Verb: CouldUses: Asking for permission, requests, suggestions, future possibility, and ability in the past.

Modal Verb: Should Uses: Saying what’s right, recommending an action. Examples:

- We should solve this problem now.- I think we should check the exam twice.- You should study more for the pathology

exams.

Examples: - Could I borrow your dictionary?- Could you repeat that?- We could try to fix it.- I think we could go home.- He said we could work here.

Modal Verb: Ought toUses: Saying what’s right or correct, future probability (quite certain).

Modal Verb: Might Uses: Future Possibility. Examples: - It might rain this afternoon. - She might be right.- I might see you later.

Examples: - We ought to hire a professional. - Jim ought to get the promotion.- We ought to start the class on time.- Mark ought not drink so much.- This products ought to increase in value.