The Usage of Modal Auxiliary verbs - Modal Perfect - BE 4 Unit 8 : Team Building

 

The usage of Modal Auxiliary verbs

Can could

May might

Will would

Should

Ought to

Must

To show permission

Customers may report their complaints to contact center.

To indicate present ability

They can send the annual report 2017 by courier service.

To indicate past ability

The marketing department could present the new proposal of product.

To express present obligation

All new sales managers must comply with the new pricing policy.

To express past obligation

Customers had to submit the purchase order to claim the refund.

To express mild obligation

The human resource manager should inform us the new rule.

To express possibility

The finance department might settle the corporate tax.

To express future intention

The management will announce the new board of directors.

To show politeness

Would you like to call off the scheduled meeting with clients?

To express criticisms & comments

He should have secured a new job before resigning from the unit.

To show speculation

The sales promotion girls must have left the sales booth.

I could have bought bread, but I didn’t know we needed it.

I should have started saving money years ago.

We would have joined you at the restaurant, but we couldn’t get a babysitter.

They could have won the football match, but John hurt his ankle.

Amanda would have finished the work, but she felt ill and had to go home.

Lucy should have left earlier. She missed her flight.

Luke could have passed the exam if he had studied a bit more. – conditional 3

John would have called Amy, but he didn’t have her number.

She could have come to the restaurant if she had left work earlier. – conditional 3

The children should have done their homework last night. Then they wouldn’t be panicking on the way to school.

I am really cold! I should have brought my coat.

I would have come to see you!  I didn’t know you were ill.

Andrew could have gone to Cambridge university, but he decided to travel instead.

You should have bought some milk at the shop. We don’t have any milk.

They would have come to have breakfast with us, but they went to bed too late the night before.