Modal means of expressing ability, permission /prohibition present Can/cant, cannot past Could/couldnt Physical or mental ability

Am,is,are able to Was/were able to

May/may not Might (only in reported speech) Was/were allowed to is used instead

(asking for) permission prohibition

Can Having the power, skill or means General: I can read fast(I know how to). to do something: or in a particular case: He is able to lift a horse I can help you now. Ability to perform an action on Could a particular occasion (in the General: I could ride a bike at the age of 5. past): couldnt I could swim well and one day I was General: I couldnt read fast in the first grade. able to swim across the Volga. or in a particular case: When we need to use forms can I couldnt fall asleep last night lacks: With verbs of physical perception see, hear,etc. I havent been able to sleep for the past couple of nights Can/could I take the plate? You can/could leave your car at the car park. (could is a more polite form) You cant smoke here

May I look at your notes?I wonder if I might ask you something?(might is more tentative) May I?- No, you may not. They were not allowed to sit down to eat their lunch. (To be to) Am/is/are to do Was/were to do Obligation arising out of an arrangement or plan:
We are to complete this work by tomorrow. If you are to be successful you must= if you wish to be successful

Modal means of expressing necessity, obligation/prohibition, advice present Must/mustnt Have/has to dont/doesnt have to past Obligation Strong obligation (imposed by rules, laws, moral duty) All visitors must leave their coats in the cloak room. Personal obligation, resolution I mustnt do it again You mustnt smoke here(=cant)Past: We werent allowed to smoke inside. You dont have to wait for me. Ill stay in the office till late at night. Do I have to collect all the documents till tomorrow? Had to/didnt have to Objective obligation, imposed from outside One has to obey the rules. He had to be content with a small salary.

Should/ought to Shouldnt/oughtnt to (=had better do smth) The right thing to do, mild obligation or advice You ought to vote in the coming election. (Ought to has more of a moral flavour than should) You shouldnt write in pencil. (mild prohibition) You oughtnt to watch scary movies (its not prudent)

Need/neednt Dont/doesnt need to Needed/didnt need to Necessity: I need to see the doctor. He needed to change his clothes.

Prohibition

Strict prohibition. You are not to do that! You needn't (dont need to) go to the meeting. Do I need to /Need I attend this class?

Absence/lack of obligation or necessity Asking for instructions/advice

Must one always obey the authorities?

Should I follow you? Ought I to wear a coat?

What am I (supposed) to do?