Modal verbs 1

Present & future

 Modal verbs…
are followed by another verb
◦ I should leave now.
do not take ‘to – infinitive’
(except for: have to, need to, ought to, be able to – these are called
‘semi-modals’)
◦ You must study harder. BUT: You have to study harder.
(NOT: you must to study)
do not take –s / -ing / -ed
◦ She can play the guitar.
(NOT: she cans play or she can plays)
do not need an auxiliary verb to form question and negative form ,
except for semi-modals
(σχηματίζουν μόνα τους την ερώτηση και την άρνηση)
◦ May I close the window?
◦ He might not come to the meeting.
 We use modal verbs to express:
οbligation (υποχρέωση) / prohibition (απαγόρευση)
necessity / lack of necessity (αναγκαιότητα ή μη)
ability / inability (ικανότητα ή μη)
logical assumptions/deductions (λογικά
συμπεράσματα)
permission (άδεια)
request (παράκληση) / offer (προσφορά)
advice (συμβουλή) / suggestion (πρόταση)
 Obligation / Prohibition
must/ have to for obligation:
◦ You must always wear your seatbelt. (It’s the law.)
◦ You have to use a pen in the exam. (It’s obligatory).
should/ought to for moral obligation (ηθική
υποχρέωση):
◦ You should / ought to pay your bills on time.
(It’s the right thing to do).
mustn’t /can’t for prohibition:
◦ You mustn’t/can’t smoke in here. (It’s not allowed).
 Necessity / Lack of necessity
must/have to/need to: it’s necessary
◦ I must go now.
◦ He has to lose some weight.
◦ You need to see a doctor.
don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t:
it’s not necessary
◦ You don’t have/need to do all the exercises.
◦ He needn’t stay here if he doesn’t want to.
(NOT: He needn’t to stay…)
Ability / Inability
can / can’t
He can drive a car, but he can’t ride a motobike.
be able to
If we want to express ability in the future we
use ‘be able to’
I won’t be able to go to the party.
Logical assumptions
certainty (positive or negative)
◦ must/can’t
You must be exhausted after this long journey. (I’m sure you are).
This can’t be true. (I’m sure it isn’t).
(We don’t say: It mustn’t be true. X)
◦ will
You will feel better if you get some rest.
probability
◦ should/ought to
They should/ought to be home by now. (I expect they are).
possibility

◦ may/might/could
I may/might go out later if I finish my homework.
She could be Helen’s sister, but I’m not sure.
Permission
Can/Could/May - asking for permission
◦ Can I use your phone?
◦ Could I take the day off?
◦ May I leave now? (the most polite one)
Can(n’t)/May (not) - giving/refusing
permission
◦ You may (not) see the manager now.
◦ You can(’t) use this computer.
Note: We don’t use could/couldn’t to give
or refuse permission.
Request / Offer
Making a request (can/will/could/would)
◦ Can you help me with these exercises?
◦ Will you pass me the salt please?
(polite request)
◦ Could you repeat the question, please?
(polite request)
◦ Please would you send your proposal to the
President. (formal)
Offering help (can/could/shall)
◦ Can/Could/Shall I carry your bags?
Advice / Suggestion
should/ought to
You shouldn’t eat so many sweets if you
want to lose weight. (I advise you not to.)
You ought not to smoke when you are
pregnant. (It’s a strong suggestion.)
must (recommendations – strong advice)
You must definitely go see that movie!
Notice the difference:
mustn’t vs. don’t have to
◦ You mustn’t turn on your camera.
(You are not allowed to.)
◦ You don’t have to turn on your camera.
(It’s not necessary, but you can if you want to.)
need to vs. need
◦ Do I need to bring my book? / Need I bring my book?
◦ You don’t need to sign up. / You needn’t sign up.
Will you vs. Shall I/we
◦ Will you help me with my homework?
(NOT: Shall you help me…? X)
◦ Shall I help you with your homework?
(NOT: Will I help you…? X)