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 I fill out this questionnaire later today?
She should spend more time determining the ecological impact.
Modal verbs remain in base form for all subjects.
Positive Form:
Subject + Modal + Verb + objects
Can I fill out this questionnaire later today?
She should spend more time determining the ecological impact.
Negative Form:
Subject + Modal + Not + Verb + objects
He can't make the French press work.
Gary shouldn't discount our products and services.
Question Form:
Modal + Subject + Verb + objects
Can you expand the staff for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs?
Should we begin the implementation process?
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 discover a new indicator.
We ought to conduct in-depth interviews with the leaders of the refugees.
NOTE: 'had better' is a more urgent form.