That'll be the postman · She would say that · It's odd that he should… · You might have told me · How dare you
Building on C1
Modals that show what the speaker feels
By C1 you can grade certainty about the present and the past. At C2, modals also express assumption, irritation, surprise and reproach — meanings a dictionary entry for each modal rarely makes clear.
will / would for assumption and habit
Not the future
assumption
The doorbell! — That'll be the postman.
typical behaviour
She will leave the lights on — every single time.
irritation
Of course he lost. — Well, he would say that!
Stress on will / would signals irritation: He WILL keep interrupting.
Putative should
Reacting to an idea, not stating a fact
It's odd that she should say that.
surprise at the idea
I'm sorry you should feel that way.
Who should walk in but my old teacher!
surprise in narrative
might / could have for reproach
Criticising what someone did not do
You might have told me you were coming!
You could at least have said thank you.
B2 taught could have for unrealised possibility; here it carries annoyance.
dare and need · modal adverbs
Semi-modals and stance adverbs
dare
How dare you! · I daren't tell her. · Don't you dare.
need (modal)
You needn't worry. · Need I say more?
stance adverbs
presumably · conceivably · allegedly · admittedly
Common mistakes
Where learners go wrong most often
That will to be the postman.
→
That'll be the postman.
will + infinitive, no to
It's odd that she should says that.
→
It's odd that she should say that.
should + base form
You might told me!
→
You might have told me!
reproach → might have + PP
How you dare!
→
How dare you!
fixed word order
Your turn
Answer out loud — full sentences
Use modality to show attitude.
1
Someone knocks at the door at 7 am. Who will it be?
2
Describe an annoying habit of someone you know with will.
3
React to a surprising fact: It's strange that … should …
4
Reproach a friend who forgot your birthday: You might have…