MODAL VERB must

MEANING to have to to be very probable

EXPRESSING 100 % obligation logical conclusion (deduction) prohibition Ability Permission possibility ability in the past more polite permission

EXAMPLE I must stop when the traffic lights turn red. He must be very tired after such enormous work You must not smoke in the hospital. I can swim Can I use your phone please? Smoking can cause cancer! When I was younger I could stay up all night and not get tired... Excuse me, could I just say something?

must not

not to be allowed to to be able to

can to be allowed to it is possible to be able to could to be allowed to it is possible may to be allowed to it is possible, probable to be allowed to might it is possible, probable need Necessary not necessary need not used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do should/ought to to suggest an action or to show that it is necessary to be very probable to suggest an action or to show that it is necessary Advice You should / ought to revise your lessons He should / ought to be very tired after such enormous work You 'd better revise your lessons weak possibility, probability necessity lack of necessity/absence of obligation 50 % obligation I might come and visit you in America next year, if I can save enough money. Need I say more? I need not buy any tomatoes. There are plenty in the fridge. I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.

possibility Permission possibility, probability more polite permission It could rain tomorrow! May I use your phone please? It may rain tomorrow! Might I use your phone please?

had better

logical conclusion (deduction) advice