Everybody can use a little help now and then!<\/b><\/p>\n
That goes for English verbs<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n Sometimes, one verb alone just won’t cut it.<\/p>\n A modal verb can help the main verb do its job.<\/strong><\/p>\n Modal verbs add more meaning to your sentences<\/a> and let you express more complex ideas.<\/p>\n But what are modal verbs? How do you use them?<\/p>\n In this post, I’ll introduce you to the most important English modal verbs. I’ll show you how they work and how to use them correctly.<\/p>\n [fluentu-toc skip=3,4]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Modal verbs are a type of “auxiliary verb,” also called a “helping verb” as we hinted above. That means they work alongside other verbs to give your sentence a new meaning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For example, they can change the tense of your main verb, or indicate the possibility, permission or necessity for something to happen.<\/p>\n Common English modal verbs are:<\/p>\n Modal verbs are used very frequently in English, in a variety of contexts. Here are some of the main things modal verbs can be used to express:<\/p>\n Modal verbs are also often used to ask questions, especially Wh questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you understand how modal verbs work, it’ll help you speak English conversationally<\/a> and in an academic setting<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the most common uses for this modal verb is to express ability<\/strong>.\u00a0In this case, can<\/em> is another way of saying “be able to.”<\/p>\n I can play piano.<\/em><\/p>\n This also works if you’re asking a question. To ask about someone’s ability to do something, typically you would say: Can you _____?<\/em><\/p>\n Can you speak English?<\/em><\/p>\n In a similar way,\u00a0can<\/em> is also used sometimes as a way to offer help<\/strong> or to\u00a0ask for permission<\/strong>.<\/p>\n I can watch your dog while you’re on vacation.<\/em><\/p>\n Can you please pass the butter?<\/em><\/p>\n You’ll also often hear this modal verb used to express the\u00a0possibility<\/strong> of something happening.<\/p>\n Houses can flood in this region during rainstorms.<\/i><\/p>\n Could<\/em> expresses the past tense of can<\/em><\/strong>. Use it to express ability, but when talking about the past.<\/p>\n I could understand German when I was a kid.<\/em><\/p>\n Could you hear the birds chirping yesterday morning? <\/em><\/p>\n Could<\/em> is sometimes used to express possibility, similar to\u00a0can<\/em>. However, unlike can<\/em>, it’s used for less concrete possibilities and suggestions.<\/p>\n We could go to the park or we could go to the mall.<\/em><\/p>\n Will is most commonly used to put an English sentence in the future tense<\/strong>. It indicates that something’s going to happen in the future.<\/p>\n I will wash my plates after I finish eating.<\/em><\/p>\n They will visit their grandmom next month.<\/em><\/p>\n In question form,\u00a0will<\/em> is used to\u00a0ask if something’s going to happen<\/strong> in the future.<\/p>\n Will there be a storm tomorrow?<\/em><\/p>\n Will we have a quiz in English class?<\/em><\/p>\n Would<\/em> often talks about a habitual action in the past<\/strong>. That means an action repeated more than once, often by routine.<\/p>\n When I was a kid I would play with dolls every day.<\/em><\/p>\n Would<\/em> can also show a willingness<\/strong> to do something in the future, often as part of the phrase “would like to…”<\/strong><\/p>\n She would like to come to the party.<\/em><\/p>\n Would<\/em> is used in a question<\/strong> to ask someone to do something. In this way, it’s similar to\u00a0can<\/em>\u2014however, using\u00a0would<\/em> sounds more polite<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Would you please close the door?<\/em><\/p>\n Another very common usage of would<\/em> is in conditionals<\/strong>\u2014showing that something depends on something else. You may recognize the sentence structure\u00a0would<\/em>… if<\/em>, as in the examples below:<\/p>\n \u00a0She would go to the mall if you asked her.<\/em><\/p>\n He would become fluent in English if he practiced more often.<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, would<\/em> often pairs up with the verb\u00a0wish<\/em> to express a desire<\/strong>.<\/p>\n I wish you would stop tapping your pencil.<\/em><\/p>\n You’ll often hear\u00a0should<\/em> used to as a way to\u00a0give or ask for advice or an opinion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You should do your homework.<\/em><\/p>\n The governor should visit our neighborhood.<\/em><\/p>\n Should I meet you at your apartment?<\/em><\/p>\n In a similar way, it can be used to describe\u00a0something necessary but perhaps not wanted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n She should comb her hair but she doesn’t want to.<\/em><\/p>\n Should<\/em> is also used to show an expectation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He should be back by 10 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n The mall should be empty at this time of night.<\/em><\/p>\n May is another modal verb that’s similar to can<\/em>, but more formal and polite. It’s used to express or ask for<\/strong>\u00a0permission<\/strong>, and is often considered the most polite way to do so<\/strong>.<\/p>\n May I sit beside you? <\/em><\/p>\n You may pour yourself a cup of tea.<\/em><\/p>\n May<\/em> is also often used to describe a possibility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We may go downtown tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n Like may<\/em>, might<\/em> can present a possibility<\/strong>. It’s not uncommon to hear\u00a0may<\/em> and\u00a0might<\/em> used interchangeably in this context, although\u00a0may<\/em> is slightly more formal.<\/p>\n He might get the job at the factory. <\/em><\/p>\n Might<\/em> can also be used to suggest something<\/strong>. Within the phrase “might as well,”<\/strong> it indicates that there isn’t a good alternative.<\/p>\n I might as well go home since there\u2019s no one else here.<\/em><\/p>\n Must is a way of saying “have to” or “need to,”<\/strong> though it’s more formal than either of those.<\/p>\n You must finish your homework by Wednesday.<\/em><\/p>\n Must<\/em> also expresses a strong suggestion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You must see the Louvre while you\u2019re in Paris!<\/em><\/p>\n Must can also be used as a guess<\/strong>, though only if you think that your guess is correct or if you have evidence to back up your guess.<\/p>\n He must be smart because he studied engineering.<\/em><\/p>\n Shall is a good modal verb to recognize, but it’s rarely used in everyday language because it feels so formal and polite<\/strong> to native English speakers. Its use is similar to will<\/em>. You may see it most often in literature from past eras<\/a>.<\/p>\n I shall call your mother if you misbehave.<\/em><\/p>\n We shall arrive at 5:00.<\/em><\/p>\n Now we’ll cover some useful modal verb phrases you can use in different business situations.<\/p>\n Of course, there are many business situations where you might need to arrange a meeting. Modal verbs will be invaluable in setting up these meetings politely and efficiently.<\/p>\n Could<\/strong> we meet at _____?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I can<\/strong> meet at _____. \/ I can’t<\/strong> meet at _____.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Should<\/strong> I reserve the conference room?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Might<\/strong> we discuss it over lunch?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The meeting should<\/strong> take about 30 minutes.<\/em><\/p>\n In today’s business world, online meetings, video calls or conference calls<\/a> are very common. If you work for a foreign company, it’s likely that you’ll have to participate in an online meeting at some point.<\/p>\n Modal verbs will help you keep the meeting on track in a clear and formal way.<\/p>\n Could<\/strong>\u00a0you please mute your microphone when you’re not speaking?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Can<\/strong> everyone hear\/see me?<\/em><\/p>\n Before we begin, we should<\/strong> each introduce ourselves.<\/em><\/p>\n Giving presentations in any language can be nerve-wracking, but it can be especially overwhelming if you have to give a presentation in English. Fortunately, there are several modal verb phrases you can learn in business English to help you give your best presentation.<\/p>\n Might\/may<\/strong>\u00a0I have your attention, please?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Could<\/strong> you please save your questions until the end?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Today, I would<\/strong> like to discuss…<\/em><\/p>\n In conclusion, we must<\/strong> find a way to decrease costs\/to increase profits\/to find our niche\/etc.<\/em><\/p>\n If you’re a manager, one of the most common relationships you’ll have to navigate in the business world is between you and your employees. Here are some modal phrases that can help you speak with your employees in a respectful, yet commanding manner.<\/p>\n When can<\/strong> you give me the numbers from this quarter?<\/em><\/p>\n When will<\/strong> you be finished with the project?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Could<\/strong> you email me a detailed update?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n We should<\/strong> plan to move forward with the merger.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat Are Modal Verbs?<\/h2>\n
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When Do We Use English Modal Verbs?<\/h2>\n
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All of the English Modal Verbs<\/h2>\n
Can<\/h3>\n
Could<\/h3>\n
Will<\/h3>\n
Would<\/h3>\n
Should<\/h3>\n
May<\/h3>\n
Might<\/h3>\n
Must<\/h3>\n
Shall<\/h3>\n
How to use Modal Verbs in Business English<\/h2>\n
Arranging a Meeting<\/h3>\n
Conducting an Online Meeting<\/h3>\n
Giving a Presentation<\/h3>\n
Speaking to an Employee as a Manager<\/h3>\n
Speaking to a Manager as an Employee<\/h3>\n