___MODAL VERBS___

MODAL VERB USES EXAMPLES NOTES

general ability (present and future) I can speak English.
I can help you later.
impossibility You can't see the dentist now.
You've just had dinner. You can't be hungry. CAN'T/COULDN'T HAVE – past
impossibility
CAN
request (informal) Can you wait a moment, please?
ask for/give permission (informal) Can I speak to Tom, please?
You can take the car tomorrow.
offers Can I get you a cup of coffee? WOULD LIKE also used to offer/invite
past form of CAN She could swim well when she was four. COULD HAVE implies the action didn't
general ability (past) take place
possibility (present and future) The keys could be in the car. COULD – less certain than MAY, MIGHT
Prices could rise soon.
He could get the job if he applied for it. WOULD BE ABLE TO is also possible
COULD polite request Could you help me, please?
ask for permission Could I use your phone? COULD – not used to give permission
impossibility I couldn't open the door.
suggestion You could get advice from your doctor.
We could go to the cinema tonight. COULD is less sure than CAN
possibility (future) It may rain tomorrow. MAY HAVE – past possibility
He may not arrive tonight.
polite request May I call you later?
MAY
ask for/give permission (formal) May I come in?
You may smoke if you like.
prohibition You may not smoke in the building.
past form of MAY She said that our plan might work.
possibility (past)
MIGHT
possibility It might rain tomorrow. MIGHT HAVE – past possibility
Tom might not be available today.
certainty, prediction He will arrive at six o'clock.
WILL willingness, polite decision I'll answer the phone.
polite request Will you pass the sugar, please?
past form of WILL He said that he would join us later.
polite request Would you move your car, please?
WOULD
repeated past action I would walk on the beach every morning.
expressing preference I would rather have tea.
polite offer of help Shall I carry this bag?
SHALL future auxiliary with I/we I shall find a hotel when I get there.
(not common)
giving advice You should/ought to see a doctor. SHOULD – not as strong as MUST,
expresses personal opinion
expressing judgment of You shouldn't lose your temper with people. SHOULD(N'T) HAVE – expresses regret,
SHOULD right/wrong the action didn't take (/took) place
OUGHT TO
polite suggestion when unsure of Should I put the bags here?
answer
great certainty, prediction He should/ought to do well in the exam.
 obligation, future intention I must write a letter to my aunt. MUST expresses own feelings
strong necessity You must observe the speed limit.
MUST almost complete certainty The lights are on. She must be home. MUST HAVE – past certainty
strong recommendation You must go and see that film.
prohibition You mustn't smoke in this hospital.
obligation, necessity We have to wear school uniforms. HAVE (GOT) TO expresses facts, not
He had to leave early. personal attitude
HAVE (GOT) TO I don't have to pay this until September.
also all other forms of MUST
We will have to leave soon.
NOT HAVE TO – lack of obligation
lack of necessity You needn't come today if you don't want to. NOT NEED TO is also possible
NEEDN'T NEEDN'T HAVEimplies the
unnecessary action took place
general ability He is able to dress himself. also all other forms of CAN
BE ABLE TO specific past ability, managing to We were able to find the house although we COULDN'T also used for specific past
do something despite of difficulty had no map. ability