Modal Verbs

Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Have to, Should, Ought to, Need, Would, Will, Shall Perfect Modals

Can, Could, May, Might

Can- possibility e.g. He can get to your house in several minutes.

Could- possibility e. g. Jane could win the first prize. May- possibility e. g. She may be in her room. Might- possibility; weaker than may e.g. It might be snowing when you arrive.

Can- to be able to
Can- physical and mental ability e.g. I can carry those heavy bags! e.g. He can solve the math problems. Can- replaced with the expression be able to to express ability in the past/future e. g. She will be able to pass the exam after working harder.

Can, May (be allowed to)

May, Can- express permission e.g. May I open the window?- formal way of addressing e.g. Can I take your pencil?- informal way of addressing May- replaced with the expression be allowed to to express permission (picture) in the past or future. e. g. We were not allowed to take pictures in this museum.

Must
Must- deduction; probability e.g. She must be rich. Must- obligation e. g. I must be there before 2. Must- replaced with the expression to have to to express obligation in the past/future e. g. I had to wait for Tom 2 hours. Must not- prohibition e.g. You must not cross the street over here.

Must- Have to
Must and have to both express obligation. However, they are used differently depending on who imposes the obligation. MUST (internal, not a real obligation, not imposed from outside) The speaker thinks it is necessary. e.g. I must buy flowers for my mother (It's her birthday and I decided to do that).

e.g. "You must take more exercise, says the doctor. (The doctor thinks it is necessary). HAVE TO (external, forced to act by a separate, external power) Someone else thinks it is necessary. e.g. I have to buy flowers for my mother-in-law. (It is not my decision - my husband asked me to do it.)

e.g. I have to take more exercise. (doctor's orders!)

Should, Ought to
Should/Ought to- moral obligation, advice e. g. You should have a rest. e. g. She ought to visit her grandparents more often.

Need
Need- meaning to require e.g. She needs our help. Neednt/dont need to- lack of obligation e. g. You neednt do it now. (Its not necessaryaccording to the speaker.) e.g. You dont need to do it now. (its not necessary- external circumstances do not require the action to be performed) Didnt need to- lack of obligation in the past e.g. I didnt need to wait. (And so I didnt wait.)

Would, Will, Shall

Would- polite way of addressing; request e. g. Would your parents mind if we stayed for dinner? e. g. Would you give me that pen, please?

Will, shall- request e.g. Will you marry me? e.g. Shall I take your coat?

Perfect Modals
Cant+ have+ Past Participle- impossibility e. g. Jane cant have taken your money. could+ have+ Past Participle- impossibility e.g. They couldnt have waited for two hours! (Its out of the question.) May/Might +have +Past Participle- possibility about a past action e.g. He may have left. Must+ have+ Past Participle- deduction in the past e.g. She must have been in love with him. Neednt +have+ Past Participle- unnecessary action which was performed e. g. He neednt have taken a taxi. Should/Ought to + have+ Past Participle- unfulfilled duty or an action that was neglected e. g. I should have paid the bill yesterday.

Should not +have + Past Participle- regret e. g. She shouldnt have spoken to him like that.

Song It must have been love- Roxette

It must have been love But its over now It must have been good But I lost it somehow... Listen to the song and translate the chorus, paying attention to the use of the modal verb must.

Final test

I ......... go to see the doctor last week because I was very ill. (a) must (b) must to (c) had to I could ......... bought that car but I didn't have enough money to pay for the petrol. (a) had (b) have (c) have to I ......... go now because I am already late for my class. (a) must (b) had (c) have to

I may ......... able to come to your party if I have the time. (a) be (b) being (c) being to
Do you ......... clean the house every day or every week? (a) must (b) have (c) have to I ......... speak French without a problem now because I have had many lessons. (a) may (b) can (c) have They ......... do their homework today because it is a holiday at the school. (a) must not (b) don't have (c) don't have to I ......... help you with your shopping because you have a lot of bags. (a) ought (b) ought to (c) thought When will you ......... come and see us in our new house? (a) can (b) be able to (c) must I may ......... go to Paris next week because there is a very big exhibition there. (a) have (b) have to (c) had