Page 51 - New Grammar with a Smile 6

Here is a list of some important modals with their uses and some examples.

Words Functions Examples

can • To talk about ability • I can bat well.

• To ask for and grant • Can I borrow your colour
permission to do something in pencils? Yes, you can.
a friendly manner • Dad says I can borrow his tie
• To talk about what we are for tonight’s party.
allowed to do

cannot/ • To talk about inability • I can’t bat well.
can’t • To deny permission to • Can I borrow your colour
do something pencils? No, you can’t borrow

• To talk about what one is not my colour pencils.
allowed to do • Dad says I can’t borrow his
tie for tonight’s party.

may • To seek and grant permission • May I come in? Yes, you may.
• To talk about something that • Rehan may like the pasta
is possible I’ve made.
• To express wishes • May your journey be a
and blessings safe one.

may not/ • To refuse permission • May I come in? No, you
mayn’t • To talk about something that mayn’t.

may not be possible • Rehan may like the pasta but
Abir may not.

should • To politely talk about • You should greet your elders
something that is the right every morning.
thing to do

should not/ • To politely talk about • You shouldn’t be unkind
shouldn’t something that is not the to anybody.
right thing to do

must • To express the absolute need • You must see a doctor at once
to do something or your wound will fester.

must not/ • To express the absolute need • You mustn’t ignore the
mustn’t to not do something wound you have. You must
see a doctor immediately.

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