Modal Verbs

Modal verbs can be confusing for learners because individual modal forms can be used to express a
number of different meanings.

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use
modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission, making requests and offers, and so on.

Special characteristics you should remember:

1. They have the SAME FORM for all the persons. They do not take an –s in the third person
singular: you cannot say:
a. He cans ride a bike.
b. She wills come in September.
c. She mays know his address.

2. They are followed by a verb in the BASE FORM, so they are followed by an infinitive without ‘to’,
except OUGHT TO.
a. Nicola ought to take her studies more seriously in future.
b. The kitchen ought to be painted one of these days.
c. You ought to study more if you want to pass the exam.
d. I must water the flowers.
e. I really think you should go and see the doctor, but it’s up to you.
f. Will Alex really be able to finish the project by Friday?

3. They add NOT to form the negative and they appear BEFORE the SUBJECT in questions.
Questions, negatives, tags and short answers are made without do.
a. Can you swim? ∼ Yes, I can
b. Do you can swim?
c. He shouldn’t be doing that, should be?
d. Can you speak louder, please? ∼ No, I cannot speak louder.

4. Modal verbs do not have infinitives or participles, and they do not normally have past forms.
Should and might can sometimes be used as past tenses of will, can, shall and may.
Modals verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses:
Can – Be able to
Must – Have to
a. I’d like to be able to skate. (NOT: I’d like to can skate)
b. People really had to work hard in those days. (NOT: People really musted work those days)
5. They can have more than one meaning depending on the situations.
6. However, certain past ideas can be expressed by a modal verb followed by a perfect infinitive:
HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE. Perfect tenses talk about the past. MODAL PERFECTS.
a. You should have told me you were coming.
b. I think I may have annoyed Aunt Mary.
c. I can’t find my keys. I must have left them in the car.

We use PERFECT MODALS to:

 Speculate about the past. MAY / MIGHT / COULD (not) + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
 Draw conclusions about the past. MUST (not) + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
 Express regrets about past actions. 1st PERSON SINGULAR: I SHOULD HAVE + PP
 Say that someone didn’t do the right thing. SHOULD (not) + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
USES:
CAN – present
COULD – PAST ABILITY / POSSIBILITY
BE ABLE TO – any tense (we express the tense in BE: is able to/ was able to / will be able to /
have been able to…)

CAN – INFORMAL REQUEST

COULD – POLITE REQUEST
MAY – POLITE REQUEST
WILL – POLITE REQUEST

CAN’T – INABILITY / PROHIBITION / DISBELIEF

MAY / MIGHT – POSSIBILITY (less possible than “can”)

SHOULD / OUGHT TO – ADVICE / OPINION

MUST – OBLIGATION, only used in present (= HAVE TO ∼ semi-modal)

MUSTN’T – PROHIBITION

WOULD – FORMAL REQUEST / OFFER

NEEDN’T – LACK OF OBLIGATION / NECESSITY

Semi modals
They share some uses of the modal verbs, but they change the form according to the subject and tense.

HAVE TO: NECESSITY / OBLIGATION (has to / had to) ∼ same as MUST

DON’T HAVE TO: LACK OF OBLIGATION / LACK OF NECESSITY, the same uses as needn’t but this time
it conjugates. (Doesn’t have to / didn’t have to)

NEED TO: OBLIGATION / NECESSITY (needs to / will need to)

BE ABLE TO: GENERAL ABILITY (same as CAN) / SUCCESSFUL RESULT

OUGHT TO: ADVICE (same as SHOULD)

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 Function Time Form Example
Ability – Present CAN She can speak Spanish but she can’t speak Italian.
Inability AM / IS / ARE ABLE TO Some people are able to walk on their hands. / I am unable to understand what she wants.
Past COULD Mozart could play the piano at the age of five.
WAS / WERE ABLE TO Mike’s car broke down but he was able to repair it.

Possibility Present MAY, MIGHT, There may be life on Mars.

COULD The rash could be a symptom of something more serious.
Past COULD HAVE We could have stayed at home but we decided to go out instead.
MIGHT HAVE Joe isn’t here. He might have forgotten about our meeting.
Future WILL BE ABLE TO We’ll be able to travel to the moon but we won’t be able to travel to Venus.

Permission INFORMAL CAN Can I smoke in your garden?

Request Present Can I use your phone? ∼ No, I’m afraid you can’t.

COULD Could you repeat what you have just said, please?
FORMAL / POLITE MAY May I open the window, please?
WILL Will you close the door, please?
WOULD Would you carry this for me, please?

Advice – Present SHOULD You should call your grandmother.

Opinion OUGHT TO You ought to read this book.

Prohibition Present / MUST NOT / MUSTN’T You mustn’t use your phone in class. / You mustn’t drive without a licence.
future CAN’T / CANNOT Guests can’t use the pool after 11 p.m. (aren’t allowed to)
You can’t go into that restaurant without a tie.
Past COULD NOT / COULDN’T You couldn’t go because you were too young.

Logical Present / MUST (positive) This must be the place. / Neil has been running for two hours. He must be tired.
deduction / future CANNOT / CAN’T (negative) This amount can’t be correct. / He has many bank loans. He can’t be as rich as I heard.
conclusion Past MUST HAVE + PAST PART. There was a terrific noise last night. It must have been an explosion.
CANNOT HAVE + PAST PART. She can’t have done it – she wasn’t even here.

Function Time Form Example

 Regret Past SHOULD HAVE + PAST PART. I should have studied more for the exam. (But unfortunately, I didn’t.)
Past criticism You shouldn’t have driven through that red light.

Obligation – Present MUST (100%) You must submit the task before Friday which is the deadline.
Necessity HAVE TO (70%) All citizens have to respect the law.
NEED TO (50%) Do we need to get a visa for the USA?
Past HAD TO We had to wear a school uniform when we were at Primary School.
NEEDED TO I didn’t have to go to school on Sundays.
Cave dwellers had to / needed to hunt in order to survive.
Future WILL HAVE TO We will have to / need to get our visas sorted out (prepared).
WILL NEED TO We will have to / need to work harder than that.
Present NEEDN’T / DON’T NEED TO You don’t have to / don’t need to pay to visit most museums in Britain.
Lack of DON’T HAVE TO You needn’t bring anything – I’ve taken care of everything.
obligation – Past NEED NOT HAVE + PP / DIDN’T NEED TO She needn’t have come so early. The lecture starts at 8:00.
Lack of DIDN’T HAVE TO You didn’t have to / didn’t need to finish the job.
necessity
We needn’t have taken sweaters as it was so warm there.
Future WILL NOT NEED TO You won’t have to / won’t need to ask the doctor to sign this form.
WILL NOT HAVE TO With one of the new generation of food processors, cooks won’t have to
/ won’t need to peel or chop any more.

Offering help Present CAN Can I help you with your homework?

Suggestion Present SHALL Shall we throw a party sometime next week?

SHOULD Shall we go to the cinema?
COULD You could talk to your parents and ask them.
MIGHT You might consider taking up meditation.
Shouldn’t we have a pizza instead?

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EXERCISES:

1. Write the functions to the following sentences:

SENTENCES FUNCTIONS
a. Shall we invite John or not?
b. You mustn’t talk during the exam.
c. Hasn’t she come to school? She must be ill.
d. You ought to be more polite.
e. She might pass the exam, but I don’t think so.
f. Can I do the shopping for you?
g. You must renew your passport.
h. You mustn’t cheat during the exam.

2. Match the statements or questions with the responses. Use each item only once.
1. You really must work harder. a. Yes, that’s what the doctor suggests.
2. It’s strange, Liz isn’t here yet. b. He might, but I don’t think so.
3. I can help, if you like. c. Oh, all right, but keep him on a lead.
4. May I borrow your iron? d. I promise I will.
5. I wonder if he’ll get the job. e. That’s kind of you.
6. You mustn’t go in there! f. Why not? What’s inside?
7. Can we bring the dog? g. Of course – here it is.
8. She ought to stay in bed. h. Yes, we’ve done enough.
9. Can you drive? i. She must be on her way.
10. I think we should stop now. j. Yes, I’ve had a licence since I was eighteen.

3. Complete the sentences, using one of the following modal verbs: can, may, must, have, be
able to, mustn’t, should and ought.
1. You _______________________ park right outside the hospital entrance. You’ll be in the way.
2. He’s very busy at the moment, but he _______________________ come to the party.
3. You really ____________________ stop worrying about your brother.
4. Excuse me, but you ____________________ to be more careful with that knife.
5. ________________ I have the results as soon as possible, please?
6. Oh no! My boss says I’ll __________________ to do overtime all this week!
7. I really think you __________________ go and see the doctor, but it’s up to you.
8. Joy _____________________ take early retirement this year. She hasn’t decided yet.
9. There’s no question about it. You _______________ enter the competition. I’m sure you’ll win!
10. Nicola ___________________ to take her studies more seriously in future.
11. Don’t worry, I __________________ help you with the typing, if you like.
12. Will Alex really ____________________ to finish the project by Friday?

4. Complete the sentences with mustn’t or needn’t.

1. It says No Smoking. You _______________________ smoke here.
2. I don’t think it will rain. David _______________________ take an umbrella.
3. I can manage, thanks. You ____________________ help me.
4. You ____________________ make so much noise. The baby’s asleep.
5. You ________________ shout at me. I’m not deaf!

5. Correct the sentences if necessary. Tick any which are already correct.
1. I could climb right to the top of the mountain that day.
2. We couldn’t hear what the lecturer was saying.
3. Fortunately the firemen could put out the fire.
4. The newspapers couldn’t be delivered on time.
5. The old lady could see the island from her window.
6. Choose the correct option:
1. Remember, you’re in a library, you ________________ speak loudly.
a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. are allowed to
2. Don’t forget to take an umbrella. It _______________ rain later.
a. might b. can c. should
3. Sarah ________________ be ill. I’ve just seen her.
a. can b. can’t c. has to
4. You ________________ be hungry. You’ve just eaten lunch.
a. have to b. won’t c. can’t
5. I’ve just bought a lottery ticket. I __________________ become rich soon.
a. must b. ought c. could
6. Mr. White ________________ be away this weekend, but we’re not sure.
a. might b. has to c. must
7. Liam has finally got the job. He ___________________ be really pleased.
a. could b. must c. need
8. Lisa can’t find her car keys. They ___________________ be in her bag.
a. shall b. don’t have to c. could
9. Tim _________________ be at home. His car is outside.
a. may b. mustn’t c. must
10. She’s got plenty of time, so she _______________ hurry.
a. doesn’t have to b. has to c. don’t have to
11. Tessa _______________ speak Spanish fluently. She’s been there for only a week.
a. could b. can’t c. will

7. Complete the sentences with could have, should have and would have:
1. I _______________________ (buy) bread but I didn’t know we needed it. (Past possibility)
2. I _______________________ (start) saving money years ago! (Pat advice / Regret)
3. The weather ________________________ (be) any worse! (Past negative possibility)
4. They _______________________ (win) the football match, but John hurt his ankle. (Past possibility)
5. Andrea ______________________ (leave) earlier. She missed her flight. (Past advice / regret)
6. I ________________________ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick! (past negative advice / regret)
7. Nick _________________________ (pass) the exam if he’d studied a bit more. (Past possibility)
8. We _________________________ (join) you at the restaurant, but we couldn’t get a babysitter. (Past
willingness)

8. Underline the correct alternatives in the following sentences.

1. He shouldn’t have / mustn’t have told Sara how he felt. She’s really embarrassed.
2. She was very grumpy – she might have / should have had a row with someone.
3. His body language was quite negative, so I wouldn’t have / mustn’t have thought he wanted to stay.
4. He hasn’t called. I suppose he could have / can’t have lost his phone.
5. He left early – he must have / should have been very keen to get home!
6. She can’t have / mustn’t have passed the test – she looked really worried when I say her.
7. He wanted to speak to a psychologist – he may have / should have done already but I don’t think so.
8. My daughter worked very hard for her exams, so I needn’t have / can’t have worried about her passing.

9. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word
given. Use between two and five words.
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 1. You should exercise regularly. OUGHT
You ____________________________________________ regularly.

2. Mike was probably upset when he got his test back. MUST
Mike ____________________________________________ upset when he got his test back.

3. Can you work under pressure? ABLE

Are _____________________________________________ under pressure?

4. Pilots are able to fly jects and in the future maybe even rockets to the distant planets. WILL
In the future pilots _____________________________________ rockets to the distant planets.

5. Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, schools, and offices. MUSTN’T

____________________________ in restaurants, schools, and offices.

6. Ring! Ring! That may be Tina – she said she’d call at 8. MIGHT
Ring! Ring! That ________________________ Tina – she said she’d call at 8.

7. I studied 20 hours for the math test – the teacher was absent again. NEEDN’T.
I __________________________ studied 20 hours for the math test because the teacher was absent.

KEY
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EXERCISES:

1. Write the functions to the following sentences:

SENTENCES FUNCTIONS
a. Shall we invite John or not? Suggestion
b. You mustn’t talk during the exam. Prohibition
c. Hasn’t she come to school? She must be ill. Logical deduction / conclusion
d. You ought to be more polite. Advice
e. She might pass the exam, but I don’t think so. Possibility
f. Can I do the shopping for you? Offering help
g. You must renew your passport. Necessity 100%
h. You mustn’t cheat during the exam. Prohibition

2. Match the statements or questions with the responses. Use each item only once.
1. You really must work harder. d a. Yes, that’s what the doctor suggests.
2. It’s strange, Liz isn’t here yet. i b. He might, but I don’t think so.
3. I can help, if you like. e c. Oh, all right, but keep him on a lead.
4. May I borrow your iron? g d. I promise I will.
5. I wonder if he’ll get the job. b e. That’s kind of you.
6. You mustn’t go in there! f f. Why not? What’s inside?
7. Can we bring the dog? c g. Of course – here it is.
8. She ought to stay in bed. a h. Yes, we’ve done enough.
9. Can you drive? j i. She must be on her way.
10. I think we should stop now. h j. Yes, I’ve had a licence since I was eighteen.

3. Complete the sentences, using one of the following modal verbs: can, may, must, have, be
able to, mustn’t, should and ought.
1. You mustn’t park right outside the hospital entrance. You’ll be in the way.
2. He’s very busy at the moment, but he may come to the party.
3. You really should stop worrying about your brother.
4. Excuse me, but you ought to be more careful with that knife.
5. Can / May I have the results as soon as possible, please?
6. Oh no! My boss says I’ll have to do overtime all this week!
7. I really think you should go and see the doctor, but it’s up to you.
8. Joy may take early retirement this year. She hasn’t decided yet.
9. There’s no question about it. You must enter the competition. I’m sure you’ll win!
10. Nicola ought to take her studies more seriously in future.
11. Don’t worry, I can help you with the typing, if you like.
12. Will Alex really be able to finish the project by Friday?

4. Complete the sentences with mustn’t or needn’t.

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 1. It says No Smoking. You mustn’t smoke here.
2. I don’t think it will rain. David needn’t take an umbrella.
3. I can manage, thanks. You needn’t help me.
4. You mustn’t make so much noise. The baby’s asleep.
5. You needn’t shout at me. I’m not deaf!

5. Correct the sentences if necessary. Tick any which are already correct.
1. I could climb right to the top of the mountain that day.
I was able to climb right to the top of the mountain that day.
2. We couldn’t hear what the lecturer was saying. 
3. Fortunately the firemen could put out the fire.
Fortunately the firemen were able to put out the fire.
4. The newspapers couldn’t be delivered on time. 
5. The old lady could see the island from her window. 

6. Choose the correct option:

1. Remember, you’re in a library, you ________________ speak loudly.
a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. are allowed to
2. Don’t forget to take an umbrella. It _______________ rain later.
a. might b. can c. should
3. Sarah ________________ be ill. I’ve just seen her.
a. can b. can’t c. has to
4. You ________________ be hungry. You’ve just eaten lunch.
a. have to b. won’t c. can’t
5. I’ve just bought a lottery ticket. I __________________ become rich soon.
a. must b. ought c. could
6. Mr. White ________________ be away this weekend, but we’re not sure.
a. might b. has to c. must
7. Liam has finally got the job. He ___________________ be really pleased.
a. could b. must c. need
8. Lisa can’t find her car keys. They ___________________ be in her bag.
a. shall b. don’t have to c. could
9. Tim _________________ be at home. His car is outside.
a. may b. mustn’t c. must
10. She’s got plenty of time, so she _______________ hurry.
a. doesn’t have to b. has to c. don’t have to
11. Tessa _______________ speak Spanish fluently. She’s been there for only a week.
a. could b. can’t c. will

7. Complete the sentences with could have, should have and would have:
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 1. I could have bought bread but I didn’t know we needed it. (Past possibility)
2. I shouldn’t have started saving money years ago! (Pat advice / Regret)
3. The weather couldn’t have been any worse! (Past negative possibility)
4. They could have won the football match, but John hurt his ankle. (Past possibility)
5. Andrea should have left earlier. She missed her flight. (Past advice / regret)
6. I shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate! I feel sick! (past negative advice / regret)
7. Nick could have passed the exam if he’d studied a bit more. (Past possibility)
8. We would have joined you at the restaurant, but we couldn’t get a babysitter. (Past willingness)

8. Underline the correct alternatives in the following sentences.

1. He shouldn’t have told Sara how he felt. She’s really embarrassed. Criticism – regrets – someone did something he
was not supposed to do.
2. She was very grumpy – she might have had a row with someone. Not sure what happened in the past
3. His body language was quite negative, so I wouldn’t have thought he wanted to stay. Willingness to have done
something in the past, but didn’t do it.
4. He hasn’t called. I suppose he could have lost his phone. Not sure what happened in the past. The possibility of something
happening in the past.
5. He left early – he must have been very keen to get home! Sure that something happened in the past.
6. She can’t have passed the test – she looked really worried when I say her. Sure that something did not happen in
the past.
7. He wanted to speak to a psychologist – he may have done already but I don’t think so. Not sure what happened
in the past.
8. My daughter worked very hard for her exams, so I needn’t have worried about her passing. Lack of necessity
in the past.

9. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word
given. Use between two and five words.

1. You should exercise regularly. OUGHT

You ought to exercise regularly.

2. Mike was probably upset when he got his test back. MUST
Mike must have been upset when he got his test back.

3. Can you work under pressure? ABLE

Are you able to work under pressure?

4. Pilots are able to fly jects and in the future maybe even rockets to the distant planets. WILL
In the future pilots will be able to fly / will fly rockets to the distant planets.

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5. Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, schools, and offices. MUSTN’T
You mustn’t smoke in restaurants, schools, and offices.

6. Ring! Ring! That may be Tina – she said she’d call at 8. MIGHT
Ring! Ring! That might be Tina – she said she’d call at 8.

7. I studied 20 hours for the math test – the teacher was absent again. NEEDN’T.
I needn’t have studied 20 hours for the math test because the teacher was absent.

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