Modal Verbs: Present and Future

The topic of modal verbs in English is quite extensive. Here are some examples of modal verbs:

I can swim

She can't be at the office. I have just met her at the beach

He can't have eaten my dessert. He doesn't like chocolate.

I was able to swim to the shore

I wasn't able to swim to the shore

I managed to swim to the shore

I didn't manage to swim to the shore

I will be able to swim to the shore

I won't be able to swim to the shore

May I open the window?

Can I close the window?

Shall I open the window?

It may rain later today

She may have left the city

It might rain later today

He might have stolen the money

It could rain later today

You could have seen me in the shop yesterday. it is possible.

I could swim when I was five

I would swim in the lake every week when I was a teenager

I would meet with my friend today but I am too busy

I would have opened my own business but I was too scared

I need to/have to take a medicine every day

I needed to/had to pay my bills

I didn't need to/have to go to the doctor and so I didn't

I needn't/don't need to pay for my meals. my company pays for them.

I needn't have paid for the ticket. the ride was free.

I must study harder for the exam

It must have been very hard for you to get on a diet

I should/ought to read more

I should have/ought to have told you the truth

I had better consult the issue with my boss

Modal verbs include:

can, could, may, might, shall, should, ought to, must, have to, need, will, would, had better, able to

They can be used in the past as well as the present and the future.

Here is a chart of modal verb forms for the present and future: