Modal Verb can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must Examples of modal verbs Here is a list of modals with examples: Modal Verb Expressing Example must Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red. logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He's been working all day long. must not prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital. can ability I can swim. permission Can I use your phone please? possibility Smoking can cause cancer. could ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast. polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something? possibility It could rain tomorrow! may permission May I use your phone please? possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow! might polite permission Might I suggest an idea? possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year. need not lack of necessity/absence of obligation I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. should/ought to 50 % obligation I...