All English modal verbs in 8 minutes [and the DIFFERENCES between them!]

Summary

In this lesson, Agnieszka Murdoch explains the usage of English modal verbs—can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must—through a personal story about her ambition to become a hairdresser. She illustrates how each modal verb conveys different meanings such as possibility, obligation, and hypothetical situations. From discussing her options for hairdressing school to considering funding and training, Agnieszka shows how these verbs shape our communication in both formal and informal contexts. Her engaging narrative helps learners understand the practical application of modals in everyday decision-making.

Takeaways

• 😀 Modal verbs in English include 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', 'shall', 'should', 'will', 'would', and 'must'.
• 😀 The script uses a hypothetical scenario about becoming a hairdresser to illustrate how modal verbs work.
• 😀 'Would' is used for expressing hypothetical or theoretical situations, often in second conditional forms (e.g., 'If I could do it, I would be good at it').
• 😀 'Could' is the past simple of 'can' and is used in second conditional sentences to show hypothetical ability.
• 😀 'Can' expresses possibility or ability (e.g., 'I can go to a hairdressing school').
• 😀 'Must' indicates necessity or a strong obligation (e.g., 'I must pass an exam to become a hairdresser').
• 😀 'May' and 'might' both indicate possibility, with 'may' being slightly more probable and 'might' suggesting more uncertainty.
• 😀 'Will' expresses future intention or a decision made in the present (e.g., 'I will go to hairdressing school').
• 😀 'Shall' is a formal version of 'will', often used in literature or formal contexts (e.g., 'I shall go to hairdressing school').
• 😀 'Should' suggests that something is a good idea or expected (e.g., 'I should watch videos about hairdressing before signing up').
• 😀 The difference between 'could' and 'should' lies in the intention: 'could' is an option, while 'should' is an expectation or recommendation.
• 😀 'Must' expresses a requirement, often due to rules or personal commitment (e.g., 'I must take an exam before working as a hairdresser').

Q & A

What is the main purpose of modal verbs in English?

Modal verbs in English express various meanings such as ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation. They help convey how likely or necessary something is, and they add nuance to the action or state described in the sentence.

How is 'would' used in the script's example about becoming a hairdresser?

'Would' is used to express a hypothetical situation. In the context of becoming a hairdresser, the speaker says 'I think I would be good at it if I could do it,' which shows a theoretical outcome that is not yet possible.

What is the difference between 'can' and 'could' in the context of the video?

'Can' expresses ability or permission in the present, while 'could' refers to past ability or a hypothetical possibility. For example, 'I can go to a hairdressing school' means it's possible for the speaker to attend now, while 'I could do it' refers to a possibility if conditions were different.

How does 'may' and 'might' differ in expressing possibility?

'May' and 'might' both express possibility, but 'may' often implies a slightly higher chance or likelihood than 'might.' Both are used when something is possible but not guaranteed.

What does 'must' signify in the context of becoming a hairdresser?

'Must' signifies a requirement or obligation. The speaker uses 'must' to indicate that passing an exam is necessary in order to become a professional hairdresser.

When does the speaker use 'shall' in the video, and what does it mean?

'Shall' is used in more formal or literary contexts. In the video, the speaker says, 'I shall go to the hairdressing school,' which expresses a formal decision or a future plan, similar to 'will,' but more formal.

How is 'should' different from 'must' in the script?

'Should' suggests a good idea or a recommendation, often with some expectation, while 'must' indicates something mandatory or essential. For example, 'I should watch some YouTube videos' is a suggestion, while 'I must take an exam' expresses an obligation.

What is the 'second conditional' mentioned in the video, and how does it relate to the modal verb 'would'?

The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations. It involves the past simple tense and 'would.' In the video, the speaker says, 'If I had a dog, I would walk it every day,' which is a hypothetical scenario, just like 'I would be good at hairdressing if I could do it.'

What does 'could' imply when the speaker says, 'I could ask my friend'?

'Could' in this context expresses a possibility or an option. The speaker is considering asking a friend for help, but it's not the only choice—it’s one of several possibilities.

Why does the speaker use 'could' and 'should' in the sentence 'I could watch some videos' vs. 'I should watch some videos'?

'Could' is used to suggest an option or possibility, whereas 'should' implies that it is a good idea, perhaps with some expectation to follow through. 'I could watch some videos' means it's one possible choice, while 'I should watch videos' implies it's the recommended action.