MODAL VERBS

Ability /Permission
Obligation
Prohibition
Suggestion And Advice
No Obligation
 PLAY AN
INSTRUMENT
JUGGLING

SHE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT

HE CAN DO JUGGLING

ABILITY
 He can speak several languages. We use can and can't to talk about someone'
skill or general abilities in present time
He can swim like a fish.
They can't dance very well.

In the past, he could speak several languages.

IN THE PAST, she COULD do
When he was young, he could swim like a fish.
NOW, she is old. She can’t do bungi-jumping
Last year, hey couldn't dance very well.

1980 2023
I must finish my homework on time

OBLIGATION
I must finish my homework on time
OBLIGATION

2020
2023

We had to put on mask in 2020, but Present

obligation
now we don’t have to
 OBLIGATION

Must

It shows us that the obligation comes

from the speaker. It isn’t a law or a
rule.
• I must call my dad tonight.
I don’t have to finish my homework
today, because I have time for it.

NO OBLIGATION

She doesn’t have to put on mask now,

it is up to her.

Present
obligation
 LACK OF NECESSITY/OBLIGATION
"Lack of necessity" is also called "absence of obligation".

You can do
Don’t have to something if
you want to
• She doesn’t have to come but it’s not
today. compulsory.
She needn’t come
today.
We don’t have to finish the preject, we NO OBLIGATION
have time for it.

deadline

july september october

We didn’t have to finish the preject, but

we did.
Students must not copy their work from
the Internet. It's illegal!
PROHIBITION
Children, you must not go in a
stranger's car. It's dangerous!
A: I don’t feel well today ADVICE
B: You should see a doctor.

july september

We should have seen the doctor,but

we didn’t.
 SUGGESTION AND ADVICE

Should
• General advice
• The most common modal
verb