ANOMALOUS / MODAL VERBS MUST - CAN - COULD - MAY - MIGHT - SHOULD - OUGHT TO
ANOMALOUS / MODAL VERBS A dead right idea may come from a wacky man.
MUST HAD TO / MUST + HAVE + PARTICIPLE (past) MUST / HAS / HAVE TO (present) WILL HAVE TO (future) OBLIGATION Citizens must pay the income tax. DEDUCTION The MRI device didn’t work. There must be a flaw. NECESSITY I must see her at once. PROHIBITION Applicants must not cheat during the tests!
CAN / COULD COULD / WAS/WERE ABLE TO (past) CAN /AM/IS/ARE ABLE TO (present) WILL BE ABLE TO (future) CAPACITY You can definitely get into a reliable college. could REQUEST Can you rephrase your question, please? Could
MAY / MIGHT REQUEST May I leave class a bit earlier today? Might POSSIBILITY It may drizzle. might WISH May your dreams come true!
SHOULD / OUGHT TO ADVICE You should look before you leap. ought to NECESSITY We really should work out.
Challenge! Fill in the blanks with the convenient anomalous/modal verbs: You _______ be more considerate! Citizens ________ respect the laws. ________ you pick up the phone, please? It ______ rained in the middle of the night. A blind person ________ not see the world.