Modal and Other Verbs: English Vocabulary List

the fifth month of the year, after April and before June

"The trees are fully green by the month of May."

"May is the fifth month and the peak of spring in the Northern Hemisphere"

used to say that something happened frequently or constantly in the past but not anymore

"He used to play outside every day."

"I used to live in a small village when I was a child but my family moved to the city when I was ten years old."

to make a person or thing better

"Practice will improve your skills."

"Regular practice is the best way to improve your language skills and become more fluent over time."

to want or choose one person or thing instead of another because of liking them more

"I prefer tea over coffee."

"Many people prefer to shop online rather than in physical stores because it saves time and effort."

to move or do something very quickly, particularly because of a lack of time

"We hurry to school now."

"We need to hurry if we want to catch the last bus home because it leaves at eleven o'clock and it is already ten forty five."

to bring something to an end by making it whole

"Workers complete all tasks on time."

"The construction workers managed to complete the new bridge ahead of schedule despite facing many unexpected challenges and difficult weather conditions."

to not stop something, such as a task or activity, and keep doing it

"They continue working until they finish."

"Despite the heavy rain the determined hikers decided to continue their journey up the mountain trail because they had already come so far."

used to indicate an obligation or to emphasize the necessity of something happening

"You have to wake up early today."

"You have to complete all the required courses and pass the final exams before you can receive your degree from the university."

used when saying goodbye to someone, especially family and friends

"Take care of yourself."

"Take care of yourself and drive safely on the way home tonight, please."

to be able to do somehing, make something, etc.

"She can help you with the work."

"You can achieve anything you want in life if you are willing to work hard and never give up on your dreams."

used to show the possibility of something happening or being the case

"It may rain today."

"You may leave early today if you have finished all of your work and have nothing else to do."

used to show that something is very important and needs to happen

"He must finish homework before playing."

"All visitors must show a valid photo identification at the security desk before they are allowed to enter the government building."

used for forming future tenses

"It will rain."

"They will undoubtedly achieve their goals if they continue to work diligently towards them."

used to ask if one can do something

"Could you help me?"

"Could you please tell me if there is a more efficient way to complete this complex task?"

used to express a possibility

"He might go to the party later."

"The weather forecast says it might rain later this afternoon so you should bring an umbrella just in case you need it."

used as the past form of "will" when reporting what someone has said or thought

"He said he would come."

"She mentioned that she would be arriving late to the party because of an unexpected work commitment that evening."

used to say what is suitable, right, etc., particularly when one is disapproving of something

"You should study more for exams."

"You should always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle to protect your head in case you fall or get into an accident."

to have a particular meaning or represent something

"What does this difficult word mean?"

"What does this word actually mean in English because I have looked it up in several dictionaries and still do not understand it properly?"

to discover information about something or someone by looking, asking, or investigating

"Students check their answers before submitting."

"Before you submit your final exam paper you should check your answers carefully for any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors that could lower your score."

to hold someone or something and take them from one place to another

"She will carry the bag."

"The porter helped the elderly woman to carry her heavy suitcases up the stairs to her hotel room on the third floor."

to have or continue to have something

"Keep the book safe."

"Please keep this important document in a secure location where it will not be lost or damaged by accident."

to not leave until a person or thing is ready or present or something happens

"People wait for the bus patiently."

"The impatient customers had to wait nearly an hour for their food because the restaurant was extremely busy and understaffed that evening."

to examine or look for the differences between of two or more objects

"She compares prices before buying anything."

"It is often useful to compare prices from different online stores before making a large purchase to ensure you are getting the best deal possible."

to make an effort or attempt to do or have something

"Try your best on the test."

"You should try the new Italian restaurant downtown because their pasta dishes are absolutely delicious and reasonably priced."

to complete an action more than one time

"Students repeat after the teacher slowly."

"Could you please repeat what you just said because I did not hear you clearly the first time due to all this background noise."

to move or travel behind someone or something

"I follow you."

"Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure the successful assembly of the furniture."

to let someone or something do a particular thing

"Parents allow children to play."

"The new law will allow citizens to vote by mail if they cannot physically reach the polling stations on election day."

to make a person or thing different

"The weather can change quickly."

"The new manager plans to change the company's entire marketing strategy to increase customer engagement."

to choose someone or something out of a group of people or things

"Pick a card from the deck."

"It took her nearly an hour to pick the perfect dress for the wedding from the large selection."

to let or make something fall to the ground

"Do not drop it."

"Be careful not to drop the fragile vase when you are moving it across the room."

to make something smaller in amount, degree, price, etc.

"We must reduce waste at home."

"Switching to energy efficient light bulbs can significantly reduce your household electricity bills over time."

to remain in a particular place

"Please stay here."

"We decided to stay at home and watch a movie instead of going out."

to show the place or direction of someone or something by holding out a finger or an object

"Point to the map location."

"It is rude to point at people with your finger especially when they are standing close to you."

to come or go into a place

"Visitors enter the building through the back."

"Before you can enter the restricted area you must obtain special permission from the security office and present a valid identification card."

to not accept what someone has offered us or asked us to do

"She refuses to answer the question."

"The bank has the right to refuse your loan application if your credit score is too low or you do not have a stable job."

to go or come back to a person or place

"He returns the book to the library."

"I need to return this defective product to the store because it stopped working after only three days of normal use."

to become damaged and separated into pieces because of a blow, shock, etc.

"The cup will break."

"If you drop the antique vase, it will surely break into many pieces."

to become less desirable, easy, or tolerable

"The storm may worsen overnight."

"Ignoring the early symptoms of an illness can cause the condition to worsen over time."