MODAL Verbs

ABILITY & POSIBILITY:

can, could, be able to
 CAN/COULD
CAN

MODAL VERB

PRESENT PAST or
CONDITIONAL
IT CAN BE USED
FOR FUTURE
MEANING COULD
PRESENT FORM

PAST FORM

CONDITIONAL

FORMAL
(polite)
REQUEST
BE ABLE TO + base form
• WE USE IT TO EXPRESS ABILITY AND POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT PERFECT, INFINITIVE
AND GERUND.
PRESENT PERFECT

INFINITIVE
GERUND

FUTURE

• WE USE IT IN PRESENT AND PAST , USUALLY IF WE WANT TO

BE MORE FORMAL.
MODALS
OBLIGATION:
have to, must, should
HAVE TO / MUST + base form
• Have to and must are usually used to talk about obligation or something that is
necessary to do

• They can also be used to give strong recommendations

• They have very similar meaning, you can usually use either form
 HAVE TO MUST
NORMAL verb MODAL verb

It exists in all tenses and forms It only exists in PRESENT

*Including: gerund and infinitive *but it can be used with a future meaning

Commonly used: general, external obligations Commonly used: specific or personal

(RULES and LAWS) obligations
*example: *example

I have to wear a shirt and tie to work. I must buy a new t-shirt. (-it’s my own
(-it’s the rule in this company) decisión)
 PRESENT

PAST

FUTURE

PRESENT
(future meaning)

STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS
 DON’T HAVE TO
We use don’t have to, to show that there is
no obligation. You can do something if you
want to but it's not compulsory.
EXAMPLES:
“You don't have to wear a tie in our office, “You must not play here – it’s dangerous!”
but some people like to dress more formally.”
“You don't have to go to the bank to do a
transfer. You can do it online.”
“You don't have to come with me,
honestly. I'll be fine!2
MUST NOT
We use must not, when something is
prohibited, not allowed or a bad idea.
EXAMPLES:
“He must not eat peanuts. He’s allergic to
nuts.”
*You can often use can’t or not allowed to
instead.
Example: You must not park here.
You can’t park here
You are not allowed to park here.
 SHOULD/ SHOULDN’T + base form
• IS NOT AS STRONG AS HAVE TO/MUST
• WE USE IT TO GIVE ADVICE OR AN OPINION – TO SAY IF SOMETHING IS THE RIGHT OR WRONG THING
TO DO
• MODAL VERB
• ONLY FORMS: SHOULD & SHOULDN’T
AFFIRMATIVE-
advice
NEGATIVE -
advice
OPINION