I can [eat,do] something.
I could do something.
I could have done something.
I shall do something.
I should do something.
I should have done something.
I will do something.
I would do something.
I would have done something.
I may do something.
I might do something.
I might have done something.
I can speak English.
I can drive a car.
My son can jump on his [bed,toys].
I can be very patient when discussing our future plans.
You can join our team if you display the ability to communicate effectively with international clients.
Can you please speak slower?
Can I go to the cinema?
Can I open a window? It's stuffy in here.
Can I ask you a question?
Can we go for a walk after lunch?
Can I get access to that database?
Can I have a drink, please?
Can you wait a moment, please?
Can you give me that cup please?
Can I skip work tomorrow?
Can I leave work early today?
I can lend you my car until tomorrow.
I can give you [some money, my candy].
Can you please share with me your plan?
You can take my laptop.
I can help you if you like.
We can pick up your kids after school, if you like.
Can we visit Grandma over the weekend?
Can we go to the seaside next weekend?
Can we skip our daily meetings until next week?
Can we change the [framework,library, subject]?
Can we rewrite this component?
We can take a taxi to the office. It will be faster than the bus.
It can get very hot in Dubai.
That can be a dangerous road.
There can be a lot of traffic on the roads right now.
It can [snow,rain] today.
We [could,can] stay home all day tomorrow, if you like.
I could speak English when I was in elementary school. (past)
When I was younger I could drink all night.
I could create a simple application when I was in high school.
I could go to the party next week if my wife will join me.
We could go tomorrow, if you like.
If you are ready, we could go now.
If I could find more time, I would [walk to Turkey,read a book].
permission to do something in the future (substitute form: to be allowed to)
I could go to the cinema with you tomorrow.
I could go for a walk in the park with my dog, Pixel, tomorrow.
We could use this library for the next project.
polite question *
Could I go to the cinema, please?
Could you open the window please? It's kind of stuffy in here.
Could you wait a moment, please?
Could you buy some [coffee, beer,chocolate,bread, sugar,milk, champagne, kitty litter, cat sand] for me?
Could you pass me the salt, please?
Could I leave work early today?
polite offer *
I could lend you my car till tomorrow.
polite suggestion *
Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?
possibility *
It could get very hot in Egypt.
It could rain tomorrow so bring your umbrella.
You should drive carefully in bad weather.
You should pay more attention at school!
You should be more confident when you are speaking to the manager.
You shouldn't be scared to ask for help.
You should persistently [try,work] to improve your soft and hard skills.
You should seek feedback on your design decisions.
You should read this book.
You should help me clean the house from time to time.
You should be able to listen to another person attentively.
You should switch off the light when you leave the room.
I should finish my work today.
You should segregate the trash from the recycling.
I should go to my son's school to speak with his teacher.
I should go to the doctors this weekend.
Questions
Q: If I'm scheduled to attend a meeting in Japan in the coming weeks or months, should I cancel?
Q:Should I cancel our lunch?
Q:Should I cancel my holiday?
Q:Should I cancel my gym membership?
Q:My fight or flight instinct took over, should I cancel?
Q:Should I cancel the holiday I have booked in Cancun next month?
"So," Mr. Smith asked with a grin, "should I cancel my order?"
Would you shut the door, please?
Would you allow me to take care of part of the [bill,ticket]?
What would you like for [dinner,Christmas]?
I wish we would stop fighting over the cat shit.
I would rather be a super hero than a boring mortal!
What advice would you give to a new hire?
Would you prefer that we finish the movie now or later?
Would you prepare a cup of tea for me please?
Ann: If you had a two week vacation, what would you do?
Bob: I would spend time in the mountains.
Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.
When I was younger, I would go to school with my brothers.
When it was warmer, I would go running at least once a week.
* These are no past forms, they refer to the future.
It might [snow,rain,be windy] today.
I might help my mother clean house this weekend.
I might go ice-skating later.
My daughter might help me wash the car.
She might be able to help you.
It might be difficult to complete this task on time.
Ann: What will you do for New Years?
Bob: We will go out to eat. We might have Asian or Ukrainian, I'm not sure.
hesitant offer *
[Might, Can, May, Should ] I help you?
wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would)
Will you please shut the door?
prediction, assumption
I think it will rain on Friday.
promise
I will stop smoking.
I will go with the kids trampolining tomorrow.
spontaneous decision
Can somebody drive me to the station? - I will.
habits
force, necessity
I must go to the supermarket today.
You must be able to learn quickly in order to be effective as a [doctor,programmer].
possibility
You must be tired.
advice, recommendation
You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.
prohibition (must is a little stronger)
You mustn't work on dad's computer.
You may not work on dad's computer.
something is not necessary
I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going to the restaurant tonight.
similar to should – ought to sounds a little less subjective
Use
Examples
advice
You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.
obligation
You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.
possibility
It may rain today.
I may be actively listening sometimes.
permission to do something in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to)
May I go to the cinema?
polite suggestion
May I help you?
Shall I carry your bag?
I should receive the parcel tomorrow.
She's odd, she'll sit for hours without moving.
Shall we [go,retire] the hotel bar?
We shall leave the apartment after the maid has finished cleaning the toilets.