Ability, Admission and Advice
Basic Modals
Modals verbs modify principal verbs to express various degrees of modality such as necessity, permission, etc. . The most common modals are:
Can
Should
Can you find out about the turnaround expected from this activity?
Somehow the price should be above par.
Modal verbs remain in base form for all subjects.
Positive Form:
Subject + Modal + Verb + objects
Can you find out about the turnaround expected from this activity?
Somehow the price should be above par.
Negative Form:
Subject + Modal + Not + Verb + objects
She can't help out with our merger with the savings bank.
Your account history should not be in the red.
Question Form:
Modal + Subject + Verb + objects
Can I have a suggestion about the certified check?
Should I ask for more than the value at market price?
Can for Ability and Permission
'Can' is used to speak about abilities as well as asking for or giving permission.
Giving Advice with Should
Use 'Should' to ask for or give advice or suggestions.
Ought to, Had Better
'Ought to' and 'had better' express the same idea as 'should'. Although not as common as 'should' both these forms can be used in place of 'should'.
Example:
He had better remember to check his income statement.
We ought to choose our stockbroker more wisely the second time around.
NOTE: 'had better' is a more urgent form.