MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERB EXPRESS EXAMPLE

Obligations coming from yourself (aff.) I must go to bed. I’m exhausted.

MUST Prohibitions (neg.) You mustn’t smoke in the hospital.

Logical prediction/conclusion He must be very tired. He's been working all day

HAVE TO Obligations about general rules (aff.) You had to stop when the traffic lights turn red.
Ability in general (aff.) I can swim
Possibility (aff.) Smoking can cause cancer.
CAN Prohibition (neg.) You can’t go into that room.

Permission (int.) Can I use your phone, please?

Ability in the past (aff.) When I was younger I could run fast.
Possibility (aff.) It could rain tomorrow!
COULD Prohibition (negative)
Permission more polite (int.) Excuse me, could I just say something?

Probability (aff.) It may rain tomorrow!

MAY Permission (int.) May I use your phone, please?

Probability less likely I might go on holiday to Australia next year.

MIGHT Permission more polite (int.) Might I suggest an idea?

Promises (aff.) I shall never forget the help you gave me

SHALL Ask for instructions, offerings (int.) Shall we go? Shall I make dinner?

SHOULD Advice You should/ought to revise your lessons

OUGHT TO Logical prediction/conclusion He should/ought to be tired. He's worked all day

WILL Probability (high) I think I will stay in this company until I retire.

WOULD Prediction about the future made in the past She said she would see her sister tomorrow
Lack of necessity NEEDN’T HAVE TO + part. I needn’t have to bought tomatoes, but I bring a
NEED bag full of them
DIDN’T NEED TO + inf. I didn’t need to buy tomatoes, so I stay at home
(neg)
Absence of obligation DON’T NEED TO + inf. I don’t need to go to school. Today is Saturday

Modals in the past

Generally speaking modals in the past have the following form: modal + have + participle

Except for must when express obligation, can when express ability and need when
express lack of necessity:
Present = I must work hard. Past = I had to work hard.
Present = I can run fast. Past = I could run fast when I was young.