How to use modal verbs: could, would and should

How to use modal verbs: could, would and should

Is understanding how to use modal verbs – WOULD, SHOULD, COULD – correctly a big challenge for many English learners?

Are you also confused about when and how to use Could, Would and Should correctly? Today, Phil Online will guide you how to use these modal verbs correctly.

In English grammar, “would, should, and could” are the three most commonly used modal verbs and are easily confused. We call them auxiliary verbs or modal verbs in English. Grammatically, we define these words as the past tenses of “will, would, and can.” However, you can understand these words better by seeing them in sentences rather than by their definitions.

I - WOULD

In grammar, “would” is the past form of “will”. Interestingly, it is probably the most useful verb of its kind. We can even use this auxiliary verb to express the present tense. Here are some examples of how we use the verb would.

1. Use would to ask

- Would you like some cookies? = Do you want some cookies?

- Would you like to grab some snacks now? = Please grab some snacks now.

Use with who, what, when, where, why, how:

- How would they do that difficult task?

- What time would you have dinner?

Grammar Tip: In the above examples, we can see that the function of the word “would” is similar to “will”.

2. Use would to make a polite request

- I would like more cookies, please = I want more cookies, please.

- I would like you to grab some snacks now = I would like you to grab some snacks now.

3. Use would to indicate a different action if the past changed differently

- I would have assisted you if I had known you were there.

Explanation: The truth is I didn't know you were there. This “not knowing” happened before I did not support you.

- Ron would’ve missed the train if Jessa hadn’t reminded him of the train schedule.

4. Using would to tone down strong, controversial statements is not recommended in formal essays

- Tony would have justified his opinion in the meeting, but sadly, he failed to.

- I would have to say that your plan seems too ambitious.

Grammar Tip: Here, “would” has the same meaning as “do” but with less emphasis.

5. We use would to explain a result for a hypothetical situation.

- If I win the lottery, I would buy myself a Lamborghini truck.

Note: Structure of Conditional Sentence Type 2 (i.e. If + past simple, present conditional)

How to use modal verbs: could, would and should

6. To express habitual actions in the past

- Amy would cry whenever Tom would leave home.

Note: In this case “would” is used like “did”.

7. Would is used to express repeated actions in the past

- The ice would become liquid when you take it out from the freezer, then it would turn solid when you put it back inside again.

- For quite some time a space shuttle would float in space, then it would land back down on earth after every mission.

8. Expresses preference between two options, used with alternative or sooner

- I would sooner die than face them. = I prefer death in place of facing them.

- She would rather sing than dance. = She prefers singing to dancing.

9. Express desire

- Some people would permit to legalize the use of marijuana = Some people want to legalize the use of marijuana.

- Several countries would support a civil union rather than same-sex marriage = Some people want to support a civil union rather than same-sex marriage.

- They wish he would leave = They want him to leave.

10. Would is used to express intentions or plans

- He said he would arrive early = He said he was planning to arrive early.

11. Choice

- She would put off the test if she could.

Explanation: In this sentence, she wanted to give up the test, but she couldn't do that.

12. Express doubts

- His answer would seem to be correct = His answer is probably correct.

- The argument stated by the jury would seem to show transparency about the case = The argument would is probably showing transparency about the case.

13. Use to show the likelihood of a future occurrence compared to a past action

- She estimated she would get to the house around 7 p.m. Her family would have dinner ready for her.

Explanation: Here, the first sentence means that she believes her return home time is around 7:00 pm. The “estimation” (or belief) happened in the past, but the truth is that she came back later. The second sentence predicts that, at that time in the future, dinner will be ready for her.

One interesting thing is that using “had” and “have” can also change the meaning of “would” in a sentence:

- Would you had changed your mind = I wish you had changed your mind.

- Would you have changed your mind = If circumstances had been different, is it possible that you might have changed your mind?

How to use modal verbs: could, would and should

II – SHOULD

In English grammar, “Should” is the past tense of “Shall”. But unlike would, it is an auxiliary verb with several uses, not all of which are in the past tense. We use should in the following situations.

1. Used to ask

- Should you have fixed the broken door? = Were you supposed to have fixed the broken door?

- Should we turn in our homework now? = Are we supposed to turn in our homework now?

Grammar Tip: Here, “should” has the same meaning as “ought”.

2. Should is used to express obligation

- You should eat fruits and vegetables every day.

- Everyone should avoid eating too much junk food.

3. Indicates an event that may happen in the future

- If I should save enough next week, I will buy myself a new pair of shoes.

Note: Should = do; Furthermore, should can be omitted:

- If I should save enough next week, I will buy myself a new pair of shoes. => Should I save enough next week, I will buy myself a new pair of shoes.

4. To express a hypothetical situation

- Should you wish to do so, you may have hot cocoa and cake = If you wish to do so, you may have hot cocoa and cake.

5. Express what might happen

- Annie should be here by 10 AM so that we can start the meeting early.

Grammar Tip: Think of “should” as “ought to”, or “will”.

6. To politely express a direct request or statement

- I should like to eat early dinner now = I want to eat early now.

- I should think that reforestation is necessary for mother earth to recover from global warming. = I think that reforestation is necessary for mother earth to recover from global warming.

III – COULD

In addition to would and should, we also have modal verbs in English grammar. Grammatically, could is the past tense of can. And like should, it is an auxiliary verb with several uses, not all of which are in the past tense. We use could in the following cases:

1. Past form of “Can”

- In the past, all the people could breathe fresh air even in big cities = In those days, all the people had the chance to breathe fresh air even in big cities.

2. Use to ask

- Could you have fixed the broken door? = Is it possible that you have fixed the broken door?

- Could I go now? = May I go now; am I allowed to go now?

3. Use to show capabilities

- I could study harder than I do = I have the potential to study harder than I do.

- I want to see the Aurora because I knew the night view could be amazing = I knew that the night view could be amazing.

4. To show discreetness or politeness

- She could be wrong = She may be wrong.

- Could you hand me the pen, please? = Please hand me the pen.

IV – CONCLUSION

Understand the How to use modal verbs – WOULD, SHOULD, and COULD – is a difficult but useful task for you in the process of becoming fluent in English. Technically, they are past forms of will, shall and could. But besides using these words to express past actions, we can also use them to make requests, ask questions, express possibilities, express situations and possibilities assume…

When you understand modal verbs in English, especially would, should, and could, you can confidently use them in any situation. Good luck!