Modal Verbs | Baamboozle - Baamboozle | The Most Fun Classroom Games!

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Everyone is wearing a jacket. It must be cold.

certainty from the point of view of the speaker

Could I borrow your dictionary?

medium formal

When I was a young child, I wasn’t able to tie my shoes.

past ability

He must have won the game.

certainty in past

Where are my keys? They may be in the car.

possibility in Present

He was running for 2 hours. He must be tired.

belief of certainty from the speaker

A: You had better slow down. You are driving too fast!

a bit stronger; includes the idea of a warning

I might go to the party tonight.

less formal than May; more common in conversation

Can she have a cookie?

casual

A: It's really cold outside. B: You ought to wear a warm jacket.

advice that is correct ethically, or correct according to society's point of view

Last night, there were no clouds in the sky and they could see all the stars.

past ability

I can meet you after school.

shows ability in present

She may have gone home early.

possibility in past

He might have brought the cake.

possibility in past

Side effects of this medication may include upset stomach and fever.

formal and is often found in writing

A: I failed my test. B: Really? You should study harder.

advice (common way of giving advice)

I may go to the party tonight.

possibility in Future

May I go to the washroom?

most formal/polite

Where are my keys? They could be in the car.

possibility in present

Brenda is able to run quickly.

ability in present

We could go to the party tonight.

possibility in future

Everyone is wearing a jacket. It has to be cold.

much less formal than must; common in conversation