Expector's writing challenge: Modals

Modal verbs or modal auxiliary verbs or modals can be so tricky or confusing. If used correctly, though, modals can make our writing more vivid. Do you think you can correctly use such words as can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to, need, dare, used to? If not, let's try to learn how to use them. So, here comes this writing challenge.

English tips on modals

1. Possibility: can, could, may, might

2. Probability or certainty: should, ought to, must, will, cannot or can't (as the negative of "must")

3. Ability: can, could, be able to

4. Suggestions: could, may, might, shall

5. Requests: can, could, will, would

6. Offers: can, could, shall, will, would

7. Obligation: must, have to

8. Permission: can, could, may

9. Requests: can, could, will, would

Your task

Try to use the modals to writing a short paragraph or a dialogue. You have to use one or more of them in each sentence, though.

An example by Expector

"Would you like to join us in the jogging?" I asked Carol, who might heve been waiting for somebody there. The track in the woods was still a bit wet - it must have rained the night before.

"I would love to, but I‘m waiting for Jack," said Carol, who was a little anxious. I thought there might be something wrong, or they might be quarrelling with each other. They were such a happy couple, though - so I must have guessed wrong. Then what could have been the reason for Carol's anxiety?

Note: The negative form of "can" is "cannot" or "can't", not "can not".

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Comments

Expector Smith March 19, 2015 13:14

@Abdallah

Yes, we need more practice to be good at it. Thanks!
Expector Smith March 18, 2015 13:09

@setareh

Good question. You're not alone - many people find it difficult to combine clauses or join clauses together. It can be so challenging for learners of English to use conjunctions correctly. However, with more practice, you'll be able to correctly use them.

Let's practice using conjunctions - a good topic for a writing challenge.

Thanks for asking.
Expector Smith March 17, 2015 11:33

@saba

Yes, modals can be so tricky, but when it comes to learning English, you have to learn how to use modals. Let's face the challenge and practice together.
saba March 17, 2015 10:20

Thanks Expector for your nice challenge, it's useful to practice modals in writing.Learning grammar about Modals is necessary in English.
Expector Smith March 17, 2015 6:43

@ELF Noor

Thanks for the nice comment! You could write a bog like this by using modals.
ELF-Noor March 17, 2015 5:59

thanks Expector for sharing this blog...All these blog which is based on models is really helpful.. specially for me.=p
Expector Smith March 16, 2015 23:31

Thanks Onee-chan and Mishaikh!
Mishaikh March 16, 2015 17:47

http://my.englishclub.com/profiles/blogs/expector-s-writing-challen...

Please see Expector and let me know if there is any error.

Thanks and regards
Onee-chan March 16, 2015 16:17

Thanks for the lesson, Expector. I got an enlightenment from you. :))
Expector Smith March 16, 2015 9:47

@Onee-chan

Thanks for the comment. The modal "shall" is still in use in some cases, even though it may sound a little old-fashioned. You can use "will" behind the pronoun "I" or "we" instead of "shall".

@noasl

You could try to use them write a paragraph - it might be fun!

@Abdallah

Yes, you can say that again. With more practice, we'll be able to use them correctly.

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