All modal verbs take the first form of the verb without to, barring ought and used, i.e. the bare infinitive(first form of the verb).
1.
The
use of can and could
·
I
can sing very well. ( showing capability in the present tense))
·
I
could solve that sum but I left it unsolved.
( showing capability in the past tense)
·
Can
I take your book?
(request made by a friend or a colleague/class fellow---- informal situation)
·
Could
you tell me the way to the nearest hotel? ( a very humble/ mild request made by
the speaker in a formal situation, not in intimacy.)
·
He
cannot help laughing if someone commits a silly mistake. (Present Situation)
·
He
could not help weeping to see the people dying in an accident. (It means he
could not avoid weeping............ (Past situation)
·
There
are dark clouds in the sky.
It can rain today. (strong possibility)
(II) The use of ‘would’
(a) Would is used as the past
tense form of shall and will in reported speech.
·
He
said to me, “ I shall help you.”
·
He
told me that he would help me.
(b)
To show past intention:
·
I
knew that you would say no to my request.
© To express unfulfilled wish or desire :
·
Would
that I were a king!
(d) To offer something:
·
Would
you like to have a cup of tea?
(e) To make a request:
· Would you mind passing the salt to me?
· Would you mind my sitting beside you?
(f) With rather
·
I
would rather stay here than leave at this dismal hour.
(g) In conditional sentences, we use
‘would’:
·
If I
were you, I would certainly help the poor.
·
If
you helped him on time, I would get a good job.
·
If
you had worked hard, you would have passed.
·
If
you had told me everything on time, I would certainly have done something
(III) The Use of Might
1.
To
show slight possibility:
·
It
might rain today.
·
My
father might return from Delhi today.
2.
To
make a mild request hesitatingly:
·
Might
I say something? (formal situation)
·
Might
I sit beside you? (formal situation)
(IV) The Use of Must, Ought and Should:
The Use of Must
1.
Must
is used for urgency
·
The
condition of the patient is worsening. He must be taken to hospital
immediately.
2.
For
Prohibition
·
Smoking
is injurious to health. You must not smoke.
(V) The Use of Ought (to-infinitive is
used)
1.
To Specify the violation of moral values
·
Mohit,
you ought to respect your parents.
·
Shallu,
you ought not to disobey your
teachers
(VI) The Use of Should
1.
To
suggest moral obligation
·
You
should always speak the truth.
·
We
should not betray others.
2.
To
give unreal suggestions in a past situation
·
You
should have followed my advice.
·
You
should have worked hard to score high marks.
