MODAL VERBS

1. Can and be able to

- We use can to talk about both ability and possibility and it refers to the present or the
future. It is followed by the bare infinitive (active or passive):
+ I can write shorthand, (ability)
+ Your computer can be custom ized according to your needs, (possibility)
- Can has no infinitive or present perfect form - we use be able to:
+ I'd like to be able to exchange these goods, but I don't have the authority, (not: *to
can ...)
+ I haven't been able to get through to the Greek office, (not: *haven't could ...)
- To refer to the future, we use will be able to:
+ With broadband access, people will be able to access the Internet more quickly.
2. Should, ought to, had better
Affirmative Negative
Should Should not (shouldn’t)
Ought to Ought not to
Had better Had better not

3. Prediction and emphasis

Can + Be + V-ing/N/adj An unsure prediction
Must A sure prediction
Will + be + V-ing/N/adj To emphasize something will certainly happen.
Should To emphasize something should happen.

4. Possibility in the past: to talk about something in the past which was possible, but
which did not happen
Type Meaning
Would + have + PP
Should + have + PP
Could + have + PP
Must + have + PP

5. Must/have to to talk about obligation

Modal verbs Meanings
Must
Have to
Mustn’t
Don’t have to = don’t need to

1
Extention:
- Shall I have a look at it? (offer)
- Shall we go to that new pork restaurant? (suggestion)
- other ways of making suggestions:
+ why don’t we
+ Let’s
+ How about
+ What about

Ask for permission Request action

Can I … Will you…
May I … use your phone? Would you … give me a hand?
Could I … Could you …

- Didn't need to vs needn't have

There is a difference in meaning between didn't need to do something (it wasn't
necessary, so you didn't do it), and needn't have done something (you did it, but it
wasn't necessary).
- Because he was from the EU, he didn't need to get a visa to visit Britain.
(It wasn't necessary so he didn't get one.)
- We needn't have rushed to the airport as the plane was late.
(We rushed, but this was not necessary.)
Extra exercise
1. I got a C on my math test. I ____________ (should / do) better than that.

2-3. Don't be so hard on yourself. It ____________ (may / be) your fault. It

just ______________ (could / be) a more difficult test than usual.

4-5. No, it _____________ (could / be) that difficult. The rest of the class did pretty well.
I ______________ (should / study) harder.

6-7. What ______ you _________ (could / do) differently?

8. Well, for one thing, I ______________ (should / miss) that day of class.

9-10. You missed a day? Did you get the notes?

2
No, I _______________ (ought to / copy) them. Some of the problems

which I got wrong _______________ (must / come) from that day.