MODAL VERBS

°don´t take –s, -ing or –ed suffixes.

°are followed by the bare infinitive (infinitive without to).
°come before the subject in questions and are followed by not in negations.
°don´t have tenses in the normal sense. They are usually used in present. We often use
an expression time to use it in future tense.
PAST TENSE: modal + have + past participle.

CAN
It is only used in PRESENT. We use CAN to express:

1. GENERAL/SPECIFIC ABILITY.
. Children can learn languages easily.
She can run very fast.
. Be able to: We use it to express ability in present, past and future. I´ve been
able to swim since I was five.
You will be able to speak perfect English very soon.
I would like to fly an airplane someday.
We can also use the verb MANAGED TO.
Though seriously injured, he managed to get to a telephone.
2. POSSIBILITY: 50% Only used for general situations/statements about what is
possible. My friend can visit me this week..
The florist can deliver the bouquet early.
CAN is not normal used to describe future possibility in the positive form.
INCORRECT: it can rain tomorrow.
3. IMPOSSIBILITY: (Logical Assumption). They can´t be rich. (negative;I'm sure
they aren't rich.)
4. REQUEST/OFFER: Can you bring me a glass of water, please? Can you help
me? Can you tell me the way to the museum? Can you come here a minute,
please? Can I get you something?
5. PERMISSION: You can go out tonight. (Giving permission, informal). Can I use
your cellphone? Can I take a day off? Can I smoke here?
BE ALLOWED TO is used to ask for permission and giving permission in all
tenses. You are allowed to go out this weekend with your friends.
6. INAPPROPRIATENESS, PROHIBITION: Be allowed to. You can´t enter the lab.
You can’t wear that dress! It is indecent. You can't smoke in this building. It is
illegal. You can’t ask for information here. This is not information desk.

1. GENERAL ABILITY IN PAST:Sarah could dance like a professional at the age of

six. He could work very long hours before he retired.
COULD is not used in positive sentences when a momentary ability is referred
to: I was able to fix the leaky pipe myself.
INCORRECT: I could fix the pipe myself.

In negative sentences for a momentary ability, COULD NOT is possible: I

 couldn't fix the leaky pipe.

2. POSSIBILITY: (Specific situations)Sth is possible, but not certain 50%. We could

go out in the afternoon, so come in the morning./ We could have been injured.
(luckily we weren´t). You could cause an accident driving like that.
3. IMPOSSIBILITY: Sth is impossible. She couldn't have made this delicious cake,
she's hopeless at baking.
4. REQUEST: Could I leave early, today? Could you explain this just one
more time? We could go to a different restaurant next time.
5. OFFER & SUGGESTION: We could go to the cinema./You could take
out a loan.
6. CONDITIONAL OF CAN: If you´re not working tomorrow , WE COULD go on a
picnic.

MAY
1. PERMISSION: You may go out. Johnny, you may leave the table when
you have finished your dinner.
SHIFT TO BE ALLOWED TO: (all tenses) They were not allowed to play
football a fter school unless they have finished their homework.
2. PROHIBITION: You may not use the list. Children under 12 May not enter
without permission.(very formal/written notice)
3. REQUEST: May I have some water?
4. POSSIBILITY:50% (Specific situations)It is the only one that can not be used in
questions. Steve may be working.
Jack may be upset. I can´t really tell if he is annoyed or tired.
Possibility Expressions: °To be likely to/that (90%). It is likely that they will
come with us.
°To be bound to. His new book is bound to be a best-seller.

MIGHT
1. POSSIBILITY: 40% (Specific situations) She might be a little late. (40%
certain; perhaps she will be late) She might not be on the bus. She might
be walking home.
2. REQUEST/PERMISSION: Might I borrow your dictionary? (very formal)
3. SUGGESTION: You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit.
You might try the cheese cake.
4. CONDITIONAL OF MAY: If I didn't have to work, I might go with you.
If I entered the contest, I might actually have won.

MUST
We are sure something is true and we have reasons for our belief.
1. DUTY/STRONG OBLIGATION(subject). We must attend the meeting.
2. STRONG PERSONAL NECESSITY/OBLIGATION (objective).
I must drink more water because I was dehydrated. (I say so)
I am having some trouble understanding this. I must ask Peter a few questions
 3. LOGICAL ASSUMPTION-CERTAINLY. She must be tired. (90% certain –
positive;I'm sure she's tired).
Past: HAD TO.

Mustn't – it's forbidden to do sth.

Children mustn't be left alone in a car.

HAVE TO:
1.RESPONSABILITY (at work and everyday life).She has to work with clients from all
over the world. I have to file reports every week.
2. OBLIGATION: I have to drink more water. (I am obliged to; my doctor said so)
3. NECESSITY: He has to find a new flat. (necessity coming from outside the speaker).
I`ve got to buy a new car. (informal) DON`T HAVE TO: It is used to express that
something is not required, but possible if so desired.
She doesn't have to get up early on Saturdays.
You don`t need to go shopping as I`ve already gone.
She didn't have to attend the presentation.

HAD BETTER:
1. ADVICE: You had better not drink and drive. (It`s not a good idea; advice on a specific
situation.

SHOULD :
1. ADVICE: You should avoid fatty food (general advice). You ought to drive carefully/
Shall I ask her out? (asking for advice).
2. CERTAINLY/PROBABILITY (only in future) He should pass the test (90% certain;
future only; it's probable).

OUGHT TO
DUTY:people ought to respect each other.(It is the right thing to do, but people
don't do it). We ought to help the poor.
Past: She ought to have told me the truth. (it was the right thing to do, but she didn't
always do it).
2. WEEK OBLIGATION: We ought to help the poor.
3. ADVICE: You ought to drive carefully. (I advise you; most people believe this).
4. PROBABILITY
4. NECESSITY: We ought to respect the elderly.

SHALL
1. SUGGESTION: Shall we have a snack?
2. OFFER: Shall I/we help you with that? (informal).
3. ASKING FOR ADVICE: Shall I ask her out?

WOULD
1. OFFER: Would you like me to do the cleaning? (polite)
2. REQUEST: Would you mind coming with me? (polite)

WILL
1. REQUEST: will you give me your pen? (very friendly)

NEED
Can either act as a modal verb or as an ordinary verb.
1. NECESSITY:(something is important for you to do.
The cat needs feeding or the cat needs to be fed. (it's necessary)

NEEDN'T/ DON'T NEED TO

It is used to express that a particular action is not necessary, but possible. It is also used
to express that they don't expect someone to do something. The two terms are
interchangeable in most cases, and carry the same meaning. Now to the very fine
distinction: DON`T HAVE TO means that there is a lack of obligation, while NEEDN`T :
refers to a lack of need. The difference is so slight that it becomes more a matter of style
than of content
You don't need to come to the meeting next week.
She doesn't need to worry about money.
You don't need to water the garden this evening.
You don't need to pay for medical care National Health Service hospitals.
You don't need to be rich to get into this golf club. You just need a handicap.

NEEDN'T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE : It is used to express that somebody

did something but it was not necessary.
I needn't have made so much food for the party, there is still a lot left.
I needn't have washed the car. It wasn`t dirty.
You needn't have washed the dishes. I would`ve put them in the dishwasher
I needn't have prepared all that food. They phoned to say they wouldn't be coming.
I needn't have gone to school.
DIDN'T NEED TO: It is used to say that something was not necessary under
circumstances where it was not done.
The sun came out so we didn’t need to take any rainwear on the trip.
We had plenty of petrol in the tank so I didn't need to fill up.
We didn't need to wait long for them. They arrived just after us.
I didn't need to go to school.