Speak About:

Present

Past

Past to Present

Future

Abilities - Responsibilities

Asking Questions

Choosing the Right Phrase

Combining Verbs

Explaining Ideas

Describing Your World

Complex Ideas

Relating Ideas, People, Objects

Speaking about Objects

Wondering about Situations

Ability, Admission and Advice

Basic Modals

Modals verbs modify principal verbs to express various degrees of modality such as necessity, permission, etc. . The most common modals are:

Can
Should

Can you find out about the turnaround expected from this activity?

He should compare several bank loan rates before making a decision.

Modal verbs remain in base form for all subjects.

Positive Form:

Subject + Modal + Verb + objects

Can you find out about the turnaround expected from this activity?

He should compare several bank loan rates before making a decision.

Negative Form:

Subject + Modal + Not + Verb + objects

She can't help out with our merger with the savings bank.

You shouldn't opine about inflation without a sufficient understanding of the market.

Question Form:

Modal + Subject + Verb + objects

Can you please fax me a copy of both sides of the cancelled check?

Should I diversify my portfolio into precious metals?

Can for Ability and Permission

'Can' is used to speak about abilities as well as asking for or giving permission.

Giving Advice with Should

Use 'Should' to ask for or give advice or suggestions.

Ought to, Had Better

'Ought to' and 'had better' express the same idea as 'should'. Although not as common as 'should' both these forms can be used in place of 'should'.

Example:

We had better find a new stockbroker.

John ought to take a look at the income statement.

NOTE: 'had better' is a more urgent form.