Modal Verbs

What is the difference between “can”, “will” and ‘should”? Discuss the meanings of the three words in the following example.

Example 1: Michael loves watching TV, playing computer games and surfing the net. He never does any exercise. Moreover, he loves eating fried food and sweet food. Today, Michael has a body check in the clinic. The doctor finds that Michael is overweight. Here is his doctor’s suggestion. “You should do more exercise and shouldn’t eat too much fatty food. Doing exercise can help to reduce your body fat. It will make you slimmer and healthier.”

“can” means something can possibly happen. used to indicate possibility and ability. e.g.Doing exercise can help to reduce body fat. (indicates possibility) e.g.Mary can dance very well. (indicates ability)

“will” means something will definitely happen. used to indicate willingness and certainty. e.g.Doing more exercise will make you slimmer and healthier. (means something definitely happens) e.g.Will you help Peter to finish his project? Sure, I will. He is one of my best friend. (indicates willingness and certainty)

“should” means something ought to happen. indicates obligation or probability. e.g.You should do more exercise. (means something you ought to do.) e.g.Alvin is very good at drawing. He should become an artist. (indicates probability)

Some people think that watching TV is good for children. Do you still think watching TV is a good habit? Gloria and Gordon love watching T.V. very much. Everyday, they spend over 5 hours watching TV. Watching TV can become a bad habit.

Gloria and Gordon love watching T.V. very much. Everyday, they spend over 5 hours watching TV. Spending too much time watching TV can cause a lot of problems. Spending too much time watching TV can take away our time from doing more important things.

After watching 5 hours of TV, Gloria and Gordon find that their eyes are very tired and sore. What problems can watching too much TV cause? Spending too much time watching TV can make your eyes tired and sore.

Although reading comics is entertaining, some of the comics contain bad messages. Steven likes reading comics. However, some of the comics are not so good. Reading comics can become a bad habit.

Some of the comics that Steven reads are quite violent. What can children become if children read violent comics? Children can become violent.

Grandpa likes smoking very much. Doctors advise people to stop smoking. Why? Smoking will affect your health.

Ginny doesn’t like talking with her grandpa after he smokes. Why doesn’t Ginny like talking with grandpa after he smokes? What does smoking cause? Smoking will cause bad breath.

Grandpa has had a serious cough recently. Many reports say that smoking is bad to our health, especially it is bad to our lungs. Smoking will cause different kinds of lung diseases.

Peter is waiting for a bus. However, there are many people in the queue. If Peter insists waiting in the queue, what will happen? Spending too much time waiting in the queue will make him late.

Jacky likes eating very much. His favourite food is noodles, fried food and sweet food. What will happen if eating too much? Eating too much will make you fat.

What should Gloria and Gordon do? Gloria and Gordon should spend more time reading books or doing exercise. They shouldn’t spend too much time watching TV.

What should Steven do? Steven should choose the comics carefully. He shouldn’t read violent comics.

What should grandpa do? Grandpa should stop smoking.

What should Peter do? Peter should take a taxi. He shouldn’t wait in the queue.

What should Jacky do? Jacky should eat more healthy food. He shouldn’t eat too much fried food and sweet food.