MODAL VERBS
• Modal verbs are
special verbs which
behave very
differently from
normal verbs.
• Here are some
important differences:
1st difference:
• Modal verbs do not take “-s” in the third
person.
• Examples:
He can speak Chinese.
She should be here by 9:00.
2nd difference
• You use “not” to make modal verbs
negative, even in Simple Present and
Simple Past.
• Examples:
He should not be late.
They might not come to the party.
3rd difference
• Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past or
the future tenses without changing form.
• Examples:
(x) He will can go with us.
(√) He will be able to go with us.
(x) She musted study very hard.
(√) She had to study very hard.
4th difference
• All modal verbs except have to, ought to
and used to are used with the bare
infinitive without to.
• Examples
I must finish my homework.
I ought to finish my homework.
ABILITY
• CAN / CAN’T (present)
→ How many instruments can you play?
→ I can’t speak Chinese.
• COULD / COULDN’T (past)
→ Peter could swim when he was a baby.
• BE ABLE TO (past)→ (=achieve /
manage to do something)
→ Peter was able to swim across the river.
PERMISSION
To ask for permission:
• CAN→ Can I use your pen?
• COULD (polite) → Could I borrow your pen, please?
• MAY (formal) → May I take a photo of you?
To refuse permission:
• CAN’T → You can’t park here.
• MAY NOT → You may not bring more than two guests into the club.
• MUSTN’T → Luggage mustn’t be left unattended.
To ask about permission:
• BE ALLOWED TO (= What is the rule?)
Are we allowed to take photos?
POSSIBILITY & CERTAINTY
When something is possible and quite likely:
• MAY / MAIGHT (= perhaps) →I may / might go to the disco tomorrow.
When something is possible:
• COULD → I could win a million euros!
Something negative is possible:
• MAY NOT / MIGHT NOT →He might not get the job.
Something is impossible:
• COULD NOT → I’m completely unfit. I couldn’t run a marathon.
When we realize that something is certainly true.
• MUST →I had my keys a moment ago. They must be here.
When we realize that something is impossible:
• CAN’T → Nick can’t be touring Scotland. I saw him this morning
NECESSITY
When the speaker feels that something is necessary:
• MUST→ I must buy a new car.
When the situation makes something necessary (by rule):
• HAVE TO → The doctor told me I have to do exercise.
To say that something is a bad idea:
• MUSTN’T → You mustn’t play with those glasses.
They’ll break.
To say that something is not necessary:
• DON’T HAVE TO / DON’T NEED TO / NEEDN’T
→ We don’t have to hurry. We have lots of time.
ADVISE
To say that it’s the best thing or the right thing to do:
• SHOULD / OUGHT TO / SHOULDN’T / OUGHTN’T TO
→People shouldn’t break their promises.
To say that it is the best thing to do in a situation:
• HAD BETTER
→ The neighbours are complaining. We had better turn the music
down.
When talking about the normal or correct way of doing things:
• BE SUPPOSED TO
→ The guests are supposed to buy flowers for the hostess.
Asking people to do things
In a request:
• CAN / COULD
→ Can everyone be quiet for a minute, please?
• DO YOU MIND / WOULD YOU MIND (+ing)
→ Would you mind sitting in the back?
SUGGESTIONS, OFFERS
& INVITATIONS
Suggestions:
• SHALL / LET’S
→ Shall we go for a walk?
→ Let’s go for a walk.
Offers:
• SHALL / CAN
→ Can I get a taxi for you?
Invitations:
• WOULD YOU LIKE TO…?
→ Would you like to have lunch with us?
