7th Class English Modals Use of Shall/Will

      Use of Shall/Will

 

Generally 'shall' is used with "I and we" and 'will' is used with the rest. In another words we can say that 'shall' is used with first person and 'will' is used with second and third person.  

 

 

•   We shall take this initiative.
•   They will prosecute him in the court of law.  

 

      But

If a sentence refers to

(i) Promise

(ii) Willingness

(iii) Certainty

(iv) Determination and

(v) Threat, in that case "shall" is used in the place of "will" and "will is used in the place of "shall".      

 

 

 

 

•   I will go to Paris tomorrow any how. (Certainty)
•   You shall not move out of this house without my permission. (Threat)
•   I shall achieve my goal. (Determination)  

 

 

     Use of Should

(i)     'Should' is used for any suggestion.

You should prepare for examination.

I don't think you should smoke so much.

(ii)     'Should' is used for opinion.

What should we do to deal with this problem?

Nitish should initiate this through a proper channel.

(iii)     'Should' is used for duty or obligation.

You should reach on time.

Ajay should have been more careful.

(iv)     'Should' is used for probability or expectation.

He should have met to them.

Amar should have submitted the report.  

 

        Use of Would

(i)     'Would' is used for past

Example: He would go for a walk when he was young.

(ii)     'Would' is used for polite request.

Example: Would you like to take a cup of coffee or tea?

(iii)     In indirect sentence 'would' is used in place of will.

Direct: He said, "He will come".

Indirect: He said that he would come.

(iv)   'Would' is used to express opinion or hope.

Example: I would like to talk to them regarding this matter.

(V)   'Would' is used for wish.

Example: I wish I would be a successful man.

 

 

        Use of Can

(i)    'Can' is used to show power.

The government can allow him to go abroad.

(ii)    'Can' is used to show ability.

I can lead the team.

(iii)   'Can' is used to show possibility.

She can come any moment.

(iv)   'Can' is used to take/ give permission.

Can I sit here?

You can go now.

(V)    'Can' is used for polite request.

Can you tell me about this?

Can I talk to Mr. Prakash?

(VI)   'Can' is used to show nature

He can speak lies.

 

 

       Use of Could

Could is the past form of can.

(i)     'Could' is used to show possibility in past.

I could win the prize last year.

He could be there.

While climbing up the hill we could hardly talk to each other.

(ii)    'Could' is used to show ability in past

She could speak French when she was young.

He could speak 3 languages when he was young.

(iii)   'Could' is used for polite request.

Could you tell me the way to the nearest post office?

Could you help me, please?

Could you lend me some money?

 

 

        Use of May

(i)    'May' is used for formal permission.

May I come in madam?

May I borrow your pen?

(ii)    'May' is used to show possibility.

It may rain today.

Death may come any time.  

 

 

       Use of Might

(i)      Might is used for weak possibility.

They might come any time.

(ii)    Might is used for past possibility.

She might have attended the meeting.  

 

 

      Use of Must

(i)     'Must' is used for necessity and obligation.

You must participate in the meeting.

(ii)    'Must' is used for compulsion.

You must obey the rules of your country.

(iii)   'Must' is used for emphatic advice.

You must not miss the class.  

 

 

        Use of Need To

(i)     'Need to' is used to show requirement.

We need to perform well.  

 

 

       Use of Used To

(i)     'Used to' is used to show past habit.

I used to play cricket when 1 was young.

We used to go out for dinner when we were in Delhi.  

 

 

       Use of Ought To

(i)     'Ought to' is used for social binding and moral respect.

You ought to follow the norms of society.

You ought to respect your elders.  

 

 

        Use of Dare

(i)     'Dare' is used to show courage.

How dare you to answer back him.  

 

 

   

 

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals.  

 

  I ___________ like to play for India.

(A) Should                                                          

(B) Would

(C) Could                                                            

(D) Can

(E) None of these

 

Answer: (b)

Explanation: I would like to play for India.  

 

 

  We ____________ pay more attention on our work.

(A) Ought to                                                      

(B) May

(C) Can                                                                

(D) Need to

(E) None of these

 

Answer: (D)

Explanation: We need to pay more attention on our work.      

 

 

 

 

Verbs can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must and ought to are called modal verbs or modals. They are used before ordinary verbs and express meanings such as permission, possibility, certainty and necessity. Need and dare can sometimes be used like modal verbs.