ABILITY CAN (present) He can swim very well.
COULD (past) I could read when I was 5.
BE ABLE TO (all tenses)
ASKING FOR OR COULD (formal)
GIVING MAY (+ formal)
PERMISSION
*(CAN, WILL, WOULD can
REQUESTS be used too)
*BE ALLOWED TO (tener
permitido)
ASKING FOR OR SHOULD
GIVING ADVICE SHOULDN’T
OUGHT TO (+ formal)
POSSIBILITY/ MAY/MAY NOT (60%)
PROBABILITY MIGHT/MIGHTN’T (50%)
*COULD (45%)
**DEDUCTION **MUST (100% sure)
**CAN’T (100% impossible)
OBLIGATION/ MUST (sense of duty)
NECESSITY HAVE TO (external
obligation)
NEED TO
LACK OF DON’T HAVE TO
OBLIGATION
DON’T NEED TO
NEEDN’T (+ formal)
PROHIBITION MUSTN’T
CAN’T
MODAL VERBS
She will be able to run faster after her
knee surgery.
Could you explain this further,
please?
May I close the door? You may do it.
Can we go to the bathroom?
Will you be my guest?
Would you mind giving me those
notebooks?
I am not allowed to take off my mask
here.
They should start exercising soon.
You shouldn’t eat too many sweets.
I ought to study harder if I want to
pass.
We may go to the cinema tonight, but
I’m not sure yet.
It might rain today.
There is a possibility that he could
pass.
Look at that new car! He must have
bought it.
She can’t be rich. Her house is too
small.
You must be on time for the lesson.
I have to work on Sunday.
Does she need to do that now?
You don’t have to bring money when
you shop with your parents.
He doesn’t need to take an umbrella,
it’s not raining.
Students needn’t go to school on
weekends.
You mustn’t drink alcohol if you’re
under 18.
Clients can’t enter without a t-shirt.
1 Complete the sentences using may, may not, might or might not.
1. Alice is ill. She ……………………………… go to school.
2. The doctor thinks that I’ve a got a broken shoulder, but he ……………………………… be wrong.
3. Josh has fallen off his horse. He ……………………………… have a broken leg.
4. Mr Carter has lost his memory. He ……………………………… recognize us.
5. That woman has got a very rare disease. There ……………………………… be a cure.
6. I feel sick. ……………………………… I leave the room?

2 Complete the sentences with the verbs below and the correct form of can or could.
hear  walk  drive  call
1. Last week, Emily …………………… , but now she doesn’t need her wheelchair.
2. Do you want to speak to the nurse? I …………………… her for you.
3. Leo was lucky that he …………………… his car to hospital.
4. Speak more loudly, please. I …………………… you.

3 Complete the mini-dialogues with the correct form of be able to.

1. A: Hi, Jane. Why didn’t you go out with us yesterday?
B: I’ve got an upset stomach, so I 1. …………………… go out last night.
A: 2. …………………… you …………………… go to the cinema on Sunday?
B: Yes, I’m sure I’ll be OK by then.
2. A: Good morning, Mrs Smith. How is your mother?
B: Unfortunately she 1. …………………… get out of bed till next week.
A: I see. 2. …………………… she …………………… sit up in bed?
B: Yes, she can do that.

4 Complete the sentences with the verbs below and the correct form of need to.
rest  wash  put  see  take
1. He’s got a sprained ankle. We …………………… a bandage on it.
2. Chloe is feeling better now. She …………………… the pills any more.
3. It’s just a cold. I …………………… a doctor.
4. You’re very tired. You …………………… .
5. There’s a lot of bacteria all around us. We …………………… our hands frequently.

5 Complete the sentences with the modals below.

doesn’t have to  shouldn’t  must  should  mustn’t
1. He …………………… have surgery or he’ll die.
2. This isn’t a serious injury. She …………………… have an X-ray.
3. You are obviously not well. You …………………… go to school today.
4. Lily …………………… eat so much pizza. It isn’t healthy.
5. You …………………… take this pill. It will make you feel better.