Scribd
Upload
137 views

Modals: Can / Could Might Must Should

This document summarizes the uses of common English modal verbs: 1) CAN and COULD express ability or possibility in the present and past tense respectively. CAN/COULD also ask permission. 2) MIGHT expresses uncertainty about whether something will happen in the future. 3) MUST expresses strong obligation or necessity in the present and future. HAD TO is used for past obligation. MUSTN'T expresses prohibition. 4) SHOULD expresses that something is a good idea or the right thing to do. SHOULDN'T expresses that something is not a good idea. SHOULD is often used with "think".

Uploaded by

Jose Antonio Garcia Ivars
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
137 views

Modals: Can / Could Might Must Should

This document summarizes the uses of common English modal verbs: 1) CAN and COULD express ability or possibility in the present and past tense respectively. CAN/COULD also ask permission. 2) MIGHT expresses uncertainty about whether something will happen in the future. 3) MUST expresses strong obligation or necessity in the present and future. HAD TO is used for past obligation. MUSTN'T expresses prohibition. 4) SHOULD expresses that something is a good idea or the right thing to do. SHOULDN'T expresses that something is not a good idea. SHOULD is often used with "think".

Uploaded by

Jose Antonio Garcia Ivars
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

MODALS

CAN / COULD
MIGHT
MUST
SHOULD
CAN
•
/ COULD
I can do something = I know how to do it or it is posible for me to do
it:
I can play the piano.
Ann can speak Italian but she can´t speak Spanish.
Can you swim? Yes, but not very well.
• In the past: can  could; can´t couldn´t
When I was young. I could run very fast.
I was tired last night but I couldn´t sleep.
• We use Can you…? Or Could you…? When we ask people to do things:
Can (or Could) you open the door, please?
• We use Can I …? or Could I…? when we ask if it is ok to do something:
Hello, Can I speak to Gary, please?
MIGHT
• MIGHT (or MAY) + infinitive = it is posible that something will happen.
I may/might go to the cinema this evening (=perhaps I will go)
Take an umbrella with you. It might rain.
I might not go to work tomorrow (= perhaps I will not go)
Sue may not come to the party (= perhaps she will not come)

• May I …? = Is it ok to do something?
May I smoke? (=Can I smoke)
May I sit here?
MUST
• MUST + INFINITIVE = When you think it is necessary or very important
to do something
The windows are very dirty. I must clean them.
We must go to the bank today. We haven´t got any money.
• Must is present or future:
I must go to the bank now / I must go to the bank tomorrow
• For the past we use HAD TO + INFINITIVE:
I had to go to the bank yesterday (= It was necessary for me to go to the
bank)
• MUSTN´T DO IT = it is important not to do it, it is a bad thing to do:
I must hurry. I mustn´t be late
You mustn´t walk on the grass (=Don´t walk on the grass)
SHOULD
• SHOULD + INFINITIVE = It is a good thing to do or the right thing to
do:
Tom should go to bed earlier.
It´s a good film. You should go and see it.
• SHOULDN´T (or SHOULD NOT)= It´s not a good thing to do
You work all the time. You shouldn´t work so hard.
• We often use think with should:
I think Carol should buy some new clothes.
I don´t think you should work so hard.
Do you think I should buy this jacket?
• SHOULD = OUGHT TO

You might also like