7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Ability
1 We use can for the present and could for the past.
She can dance beautifully.
He could run much faster when he was young.

2 Other forms are provided by be able to.

I’ve been able to swim since I was five. (Present Perfect)
He’ll be able to vote next year. (future)

3 To express a fulfilled ability on one occasion in the past, we use was

able to or managed to. We don’t use could.
He managed to find an open shop even though it was late.
I was able to enter by breaking down the door!

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Make the sentences about ability.

1 She / ride a bike / when she was four

She could ride a bike when she was four.

2 Speak / Chinese / has been very useful

Being able to speak Chinese has been very useful.

3 I / pay my debts last year / by working very hard

I was able to pay my debts last year by working very hard.
I managed to pay my debts last year by working very hard.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Advice
1 Should and ought to express mild obligation or advice.
You should hurry.
You ought to pay him back.

2 We use had better to give strong advice or to tell people what to do.
I’d better finish my homework soon. (If I don’t, I’ll get a bad mark.)
You’d better improve your behaviour. (If not, there may be trouble.)

The form is always past (had), but it refers to the immediate future.

Complete the sentences.

1 ought
You _____ to get up. It’s a nice day.
2 ’d
Youbetter
_______ hurry. Your boss seems upset.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Obligation
1 Must expresses strong obligation. Other verb forms are provided by
have to.
You must never tell anyone this secret.
I’ll have to take my driving test again. (future)
He dislikes having to clean his room. (-ing form)

Put the sentences into the verb form indicated in brackets.

1 He must eat less. (Past Simple) He had to eat less.
2 They must save money. (future) They’ll have to save money.
3 I must lose weight. (Present Perfect) I’ve had to lose weight.
4 You must leave. (Present / question) Do you have to leave?

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

2 Must expresses the opinion of the speaker.

I must stop smoking. (I am telling myself.)
You must give me this recipe. (I am telling my friend.)
Must is associated with a more formal, written style.
All visitors must sign in. (a sign in a building)
3 Have to expresses a general obligation based on law or authority.
You have to wear a seatbelt.
(it’s the law)
My coach says I have to practice more.
(the coach’s authority)

Opinion or general obligation?

1 We must meet more often!
Opinion
2 Drivers have to stop at red lights.
General obligation

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

4 Mustn’t expresses negative obligation. Don’t have to expresses a lack

of obligation.

You mustn’t make any noise. (=It’s necessary that you don’t.)
You don’t have to study Chemistry. (=It’s okay if you don’t.)

Mustn’t or don’t have to?

1 You ___________
don’t have to work if you’re wealthy.
2 You _______
mustn’t run in here. It’s dangerous.

5 Have got to is common in British English. It’s more informal than have
to.
I’ve got to recharge my phone.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

6 Be required to, be supposed to and need to also express obligation.

Make the sentences.

1 Cyclists / required / wear a helmet
Cyclists are required to wear a helmet.
2 You / not supposed / eat in the library
You aren’t supposed to eat in the library.
3 You / need / renew your parking permit
You need to renew your parking permit.

4 I / not need / study. They’ve cancelled the test.

I don’t need to study. They’ve cancelled the test.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Permission
1 May, can and could are used to ask for permission.
May I open the window?
Can/Could I take your photo?
2 May is used to give permission, but sounds very formal. Can and can’t
are more common.
You can use the phone on the desk. (=giving permission)
You can’t borrow my car. I need it. (=refusing permission)
3 To talk about permission generally (or in the past), we use can, could,
or be allowed to.
Students can/are allowed to use calculators.
I couldn’t/wasn’t allowed to drink beer at home.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

4 Here are some related verb forms that express permission.

He’s not permitted to have a dog at home.
My parents don’t allow me to watch TV.
They don’t let us use phones at school. (not possible in the passive)

Make sentences according to the meaning given in brackets.

1 (ask for permission) We / leave work early
May/Can/Could we leave work early?
2 (refuse permission) You / take photos in here
You can’t take photos in here.
3 (permission in the past) I / not / wear make-up / at school
I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up at school.

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Willingness and refusal

1 Will expresses willingness. Won’t expresses a refusal. Shall is used in
questions.
I’ll open the door for you. (willingness)
She won’t leave until you talk to her. (refusal)
Shall I open the window? (question)
2 The past is expressed by wouldn’t.
Diana said she wouldn’t have time to help.
Requests
Several modal verbs express a request.
Can/Could/Will/Would you help me?

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 7 Other uses of modals and related verbs

Make sentences to fit the meaning given in brackets.

1 (willingness) I / water your flowers

I’ll water your flowers.
2 (refusal) The door / open. I can’t get in.
The door won’t open. I can’t get in.

3 (refusal) Tom / give me a lift yesterday. I had to ask my sister.

Tom wouldn’t give me a lift yesterday. I had to ask my sister.

4 (request) You / pass me the water

Can/Could/Will/Would you pas me the water?

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