Modal Auxiliary Translation The Use

be able to _ ability

can _ ability
can _ permission

should _ this is a good idea or advice

ought to _ this is a good idea or advice

may _ polite questions and answers

_ permission
might _ posibility in future
_ posibility in present
_ polite request
have to _ something very important or necessary

must _ something very important or necessary

would _ plite request

_ prefrence
_ repeated actions in the past
_ polite way to say want
could _ past ability
_ polite permission
_ make suggestion
_ posibility
_ improbability
had better
shall
will
be going to
be supposed to
have got to
 Translation Guestion Negative
is he able to plant the crops?
isn't he able to plant the crops?

Should the farmer get up?

Shoudn't the farmer get up?
it's not common it's not common

may not
may not
you can but it's not common might not
you can but it's not common might not
might not
do not have to
don't have to
must not
mustn't

,
 Note

it's not necessary.you have a choice

don't do this.no choice

 Example

john can drive a tractor

tommy can't milk the cows .His father sayshe is too young.

May I milk the cows?Yes,you may,you are older now.

The farmer might plant some rice tomorrow.

Erle might not feed the calf today.
Might I use your beach towel?

Would you like to go to the beach?

I would rather get a suntan than a sunburn.
When I was a child, I would go to the beach every day.
Gerald would like a new surfboard.
Patty could swim fast when she was younger.
Could I put my boat in this marina?
Yoy could try the waves at Laguna Beach.
The lifeguard could be in the restroom.
I just read where they may close Smith's Beach! That couldn't be true.


you are able to do something because of special skill

It is ok to someone to do something
or someone is allowing someone to do something

like can for permission

at couldn't be true.
 Polite requests with I as a subject might formal polite it's used much less Might I borrow your pen?
can may more formal May I borrow your pen (please)?
equally polite
could Asking permision could Could I (please) borrow your pen?
had better can informal less polite Can I borrow your pen?
Modal Auxiliary

may
might Polite requests with You as a subject would more polite more common Would you pass the salt (please)? do you want to do this please?
must will Will you (please) pass the salt? =
ought to Asking permision could eq would Could you pass the salt (please)? do you want to do this please?and is it possible to for you to do this?
shall can informal less polite Can you (please) pass the salt?
should
will typical responses yes yes,I'd be happy/glad to ..
would no I'd like to,but.
Phrasal Modals

be able to Polite requests with Would you mind Asking permision :Formal Would you mind if I closed the window? May I close the window?
be going to :Informal spoken English Would you mind if I close the window?
be supposed to typical responses No,not at all.
have to No,of cource not.
have got to No,that would be fine.
Asking someone to do something Would you mind closing the window? I don't want to cause you any trouble ,but would you please close the window?
typical responses No,I'd be happy to.
No at all. I'd be glad to.
Informal No problem./Sure./Okay.

Expressing necessity Must,Have to,Have got to must formal All applicants must take an entrance exam. There is no other choice,the exam is required.
have to formal/informal All applicants have to take an entrance exam. =
In everyday statements of necessity have to is used more commonly
Must is usually stronger than have to
so it's rare in conversations.It's usually found in legal or academic writing

Native speakers often say hafta/hasta

have got to informal I have got to go now.I have a class in 10 minutes. There is no other choice,the exam is required.
I have to go now.I have a class in 10 minutes. =
Present / Future I have to/have got to/must study tonight.
Past I had to study last night.

Lack of necessity and prohibition don't have to I can hear you.Yoy don't have to shout.
Lack of necessity needn't British except in certain common expressions such I can hear you.Yoy need't shout.
as You need't worry.

prohibition mustn't You must't tell anyone my secret.Do you promise?

Imperatives Because must not is so strong Don't tell anyone my secret.
Other modals = You can't tell anyone my secret.
You had better not tell anyone my secret.

Advisability Should,Have to,Had better

The past form of should

Obligation: Be supposed to
Unfulfilled intentions: was/were going to
Making suggestions :let's,why don't,shall I/we.
Making suggestions :could vs should
Degrees of certainty (present time)
Degrees of certainty (present time negative)
Degrees of certainty (past time)
Degrees of certainty (future time)
Progressive forms of modals
Ability :can/could
using would to express a repeated action in the past
Expressing preferance :would rather
Combining modals with phrasal modals