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 go over the operational guidelines with me?
She should spend more time on inventory control.
Modal verbs remain in base form for all subjects.
Positive Form:
Subject + Modal + Verb + objects
Can you go over the operational guidelines with me?
She should spend more time on inventory control.
Negative Form:
Subject + Modal + Not + Verb + objects
The hotel can't have been offering employees benefits.
You shouldn't rely on self-discipline alone to lose weight.
Question Form:
Modal + Subject + Verb + objects
Can you design the recreational facilities?
Should we visit the parks in Portland?
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 ought to have ambient lighting.
You had better brush up on the culinary arts.
NOTE: 'had better' is a more urgent form.