MODALS SUMMARY

Function Modal(s)
can, be able to + verb: Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express an ability
He can play tennis well.(present)
She is able to speak five languages.(present)
They can come on Friday.(future)
Ability Jack will be able to come next week.(future)
yetenek They were able to get tickets for the concert.(past)

could + verb: Use 'could' to mean the general ability to do something in the past.
He could swim when he was five.(past)
may, might + verb: Use 'might' or 'may' to express an opinion that you think has a good
possibility of being true. 'Might' has less of a possibility than 'may.'
She might come this evening.
David may invite Jessica to the match.
Use 'might' when it is the conditional of 'may.'
If I enter the contest, I might win.

may have, might have + past participle: possibility in the past.

Possibility Jack may have been upset yesterday.
İhtimal She might have taken the bus last week when her car was in the shop.
could + verb: Use 'could' to express a possibility which is one of many. This form is not as
strong as 'might' or 'may'. It is just one of a number of possibilities.
A: Where is Jane? B: Jane could be at work.

could have + past participle: possibility in the past.

John could have been the one who stole the money.
must, have to. should + verb: Use when you are almost sure that something is the case;
conclusion.
They must be in Spain by now. It should be sunny tomorrow.
They have to be friends because they go everywhere together.

must have, have to have, should have + past participle: certainty in the past.
probability She must have done well on the test. It should have been rainy during that time of the year.
certainty He has to have pass the exam because he had worked hard.
can't + verb: Use "can't" to express an opinion that you are almost sure is NOT true; a
generalization or supposition of impossibility.
You can't be serious!

can't have + past participle: Supposition of impossibility in the past

They can't have worked that late.
may, might (UK) + verb: Use in formal or polite situations.
May I pet the lion?
Yes, you may pet the lion.

permission can + verb: Use in informal situations.

Can I look at your costumes?
You can look at my costumes.

Note: Use "be allowed to" for past permission.

I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week.

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 Function Modal(s)
should, ought to, had better + verb: Use when it is a good idea; recommendation.
We should select cars that are more fuel-efficient.
I ought to install solar panels on my roof.
advisability We had better use re-usable bags when shopping.

should have, ought to have + past participle: Use when it is a regret for past actions.
Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack.
Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the race.
must, need to, have got to, have to + verb: Use when it is an essential or urgent duty.
We must protect our environment.
We need to use more alternative energy sources.
People have got to make changes in their habits.
We have to find cleaner energy sources.

do not have to, do not need to + verb: Use when something is not necessary or not required.
We don't have to drive big cars.
necessity
Note: Use must not + verb when prohibiting something.
We mustn't allow cars that use a lot of fuel.

needed to, had to + verb: Use when it is an essential or urgent duty in the past.
She had to finish the first book before the midterm.

will need to, will have to + verb: Use when it is an essential or urgent duty in the future.
She will have to finish the other books before the final exam.
would, will, may might (UK), could, can + verb
Would you please be quiet?
request Will you open that door for me, please?
Might/may I have a try at your computer game?
Could I see the rest of your house?
Can Pamela use the bathroom?
should + verb
expectation It should be sunny tomorrow.
should have + past participle: Use for a past expectation.
Susan should have arrived in New York last week.
could, might + verb
You could try the cheesecake.
You might not want to eat the cheesecake.

suggestion shall (UK), should + verb: Use in a question to make a suggestion

Shall we move into the living room?
Should we go now?

could have, might have + past participle: Use for a suggestion in the past.
You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii last year.
You might have been nicer to her when you saw her.