0Modal Verbs: Could, Would, Should:
| Could |
Ability or lack of ability in the past | |
| Use | Examples | |
| Asking for permission | Could I borrow your book | |
| Request | Could you say it slowly | |
| Suggestion | We could try to fix it ourself | |
| Future Possibility | I think we could have another discussion | |
| Future wish | I wish we could meet next time | |
| Ability in the past | He could work for us | |
| Would |
Repeated past activities which can no longer happen in the present. | |
| Use | Examples | |
| Asking for permission | Would you mind if I bring someone with me | |
| Request | Would you mind waiting for an hour | |
| Making arrangements | Would you bear till 6pm | |
| Invitation | Wouldyou like to play this Friday | |
| Preferences | Would you prefer tea or coffee | |
| Should |
Used to indicate obligation, duty when criticising someone's action. | |
| Use | Examples | |
| Saying what is correct | We should solve this problem | |
| Possibility | Fees should be higher next year | |
