Modal Verbs

must can ought to may have to could might should

Ability Logical conclusion Necessity Obligation Permission Possibility We use modal verbs for: Ability Logical conclusion Necessity Obligation Permission Possibility Prohibition Requests Advice

friends’ telephone numbers. Ability Can, could I can remember all my friends’ telephone numbers. He could swim by the time he was 3.

the phone. She must be out. This can’t be the South Logical conclusion Can’t be, must be Ann isn’t answering the phone. She must be out. This can’t be the South Pole.There aren’t any penguins.

Logical conclusion about the past Must/can’t have V3 You must have been tired after all that hard work last week. You can’t have been tired last Sunday – you slept for hours.

I have to cycle to school. It’s too far to walk. Necessity or lack of it have to, don’t have to I have to cycle to school. It’s too far to walk. I don’t have to go to school today – it’s a national holiday.

You mustn’t steal other people’s things. It’s wrong. Obligation Must, mustn’t You must do this homework carefully. You mustn’t steal other people’s things. It’s wrong.

We had to stay behind after the lesson and do some extra work. Obligation in the past Had to We had to stay behind after the lesson and do some extra work.

Can, could, may You can borrow my bike, but you can’t have the car. Permission Can, could, may You can borrow my bike, but you can’t have the car. Could my friends come to stay next weekend? May I speak loud here?

She might be in the library. Possibility May, might Ann is not in class. She might be in the library. Sam may come to the cinema with us – I’m not sure if he’s free.

a dictionary in the exam. Prohibition Mustn’t Students mustn’t use a dictionary in the exam.

Could you pass me the salt? Would you mind pouring me some water? Requests Can,could, would Can you tell me the time, please? Could you pass me the salt? Would you mind pouring me some water?

Advice should You should write to your family.

You should have written to your family.(but you didn't.) Late advice Should have V3 You should have written to your family.(but you didn't.)

You could have tried a new method (but you didn't choose to.) Lost opportunity Could have V3 You could have tried a new method (but you didn't choose to.)

should mustn’t must could must be have to may can might Ability Match should Ability mustn’t Possibility must Necessity could Logical conclusion must be Requests have to Obligation may Advice can Permission might Prohibition

Ability could can

Possibility may might

Necessity have to

Logical conclusion must be

Requests can could

Obligation must

Advice should

Permission may can could

Prohibition mustn’t