MODAL/EXPRESSION FUNCTION EXAMPLE

Must obliga on/rules (from the speaker) You must read books.

have to obliga on(not from speaker, imposed by I have to make my bed

someone else) everyday.
don´t have to/don´t need to lack of necessity I don't have/need to get up
early everyday
should giving advice She should study more.

let permission Some grandparents let their

grandchildren do anything.

be/not be allowed to lack of permission At home, it's not allowed to eat

in the bedrooms.

had be er advice/warning You’d be er start now.

be supposed to there’s an obliga on but generally people People are supposed to be at
don’t take on. home as much as possible
during the quaran ne period.
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 need + to inf necessity /lack of necessity His mum didn't need to wake
him up, he was already having
breakfast.

needn’t have + 3rd column lack of necessity You needn't have bought more
food (it wasn't necessary but
happened)

can/could/may permission Can I take one of these please?

(could=more polite, may= more
formal)
may/might/could deduc on: possibility PRESENT She may be the lawyer. (same
meaning though “might” a li le
less certain).

Mustn´t prohibi on You mustn't take drugs.

can/could ability (present/Past) She can/could cook very well.
had to obliga on (past) I had to study everyday.
must deduc on: certainty (present) He must be your li le brother.
must/can't have + past deduc on: certainty (past) They must have been crazy to
part jump from such a high place. /
You can´t have been more
stupid.
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 may/could/might + have + deduc on: possibility (past) That woman may have been her
past part new girlfriend.
should have + past part cri cism (past) You should have kept my secret.

shall sugges ons (old fashioned) (I/WE) Shall we go now?

would you mind… + ing? request Would you mind wri ng this for
me? (very polite)
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