English Conversation

Making dates and appointments 49

Modal auxiliaries

Following are explanations of the different uses of modal auxiliaries—verbs that modify other

verbs in certain ways. They have the same conjugation in all forms.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they will/can/may/might/could/would/should/must

Will can indicate a prediction for the future. The negative form of will is won’t.

We will get fat if we eat too much candy.

He won’t be here long—he’s leaving in a few minutes.

Will + probably indicates what is likely to happen.

I will probably be home after midnight.

She probably won’t be with me.

Will is used to ask and accept favors.

Will you lend me your pen? Yes, I will.

Won’t is used to refuse to do something.

Will you lend me a thousand dollars? No, I won’t.

Can indicates ability. The negative form of can is can’t.

Present tense: She can cook like a pro. She can’t sing, though.

Past tense: She could cook when she was very young. She couldn’t sing then, either.

An alternative way to indicate ability is be able to.

She is able to cook.

She was able to cook when she was young.

She will be able to cook like a pro when she finishes culinary school.

Can also indicates permission.

Present tense: He can’t go to the movies with us. (His mother said no.)

Past tense: He couldn’t go to the movies with us.

Future: He won’t be able to go to the movies with us.

May is another way to ask for and give permission.

May we sit here? Yes, you may./No, you may not.

May can also indicate possibility. Alternative ways to indicate this are might and

maybe + will.

It may rain tomorrow.

It might rain tomorrow.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Could, in addition to being the past tense of can, also indicates a suggestion.

How can I impress my boss? You could wear a suit and tie to work.

Could is also a polite way to ask permission.

Could I borrow a cup of sugar? Of course, you can/may.