A MODAL VERBS STORY

MODAL VERBS IN CONTEXT

ENGLISH

STORY

To say the chosen option or possibility. For example, to say what we decide or predict.

Will/Would

To say there is only one reasonable possibility. / Obligation

Must/ Have to

To say there is more than one option or possibility.

May/Might

To say something is the right thing to do.

Shall/Should

To say something is an option or a possibility. (Nothing is stopping it from being one.)

MODAL VERBS

start

Story time

Can/Could

Suddenly a young boy passed by and saw the lady, gasping for air, and he made this question to himself: "Should I help this woman?" I think I should help her.

01

The lady needed help

Then he thought:"I know I can, I have the strength and youth.Yes I can.

02

You can do it.

Then he thought again: "I could help her; I have the time... yes I could...

03

Too much thinking

Finally, a pretty, young girl passed by and saw the old lady too.She approached without hesitation and the old lady said: "Would you help me young lady? That lazy lad is too thoughtful to do nothing"

04

There is not much to think

And the girl replied:"Of course, I will help you mam"

05

There is not much to think

Oh! This is very foolish of me. I must help every person who needs it, that's my duty.

06

My duty

So, as you can figure out from the story, the boy thought many scenarios, let's check them out in the following chart.

MODAL VERBS

+ info

1. Suggestion if he SHOULD help the lady or not. 2. An ability when he CAN help her, because he is capable of doing it, and… 3. A possibility where he COULD help her, and he missed then the girl appeared. 4. Then, the lady asked for help (WOULD) directly to the girl, leaving the boy looking stupid.5. Finally the boy realized it was his duty to help (MUST).

modal verbs story scenarios