MODAL VERBS they behave irregularly in English and give additional information

Affirmative sentence: Subject + modal verb + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: I can swim

Negative sentence: Subject + modal verb + not + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: I can´t swim

Questions: modal verb + subject + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: Can you swim?

FUNCTION TYPE MODAL VERB EXAMPLES

Ability/inability CAN/COULD I can speak three languages
When I was 5, I couldn´t swim.
Permission CAN,COULD,MAY Can/could/may I go to the
restroom? Yes, you can.
Advice SHOULD/SHOULDN´T You should use a vacuum
cleaner to dust the floor.
Obligation HAVE TO/HAS TO/MUST He has to wear a uniform for
work.
We must protect the
environment.
Prohibition MUST NOT/MUSTN´T You mustn´t smoke in public
places.
Lack of DON´T HAVE TO/DOESN´T HAVE TO He doesn´t have to work on
obligation DON’T NEED TO /DOESN´T NEED TO Sundays.
You don´t need to use that
product.

Possibility and MUST= 100 % certain He must be the receptionist. I

deduction MAY/ MIGHT / COULD = 50% certain ´m sure.
CAN´T = 0% impossible Look at those clouds! I think it
may rain this evening.
They can´t be at home. The
lights are off.
MUST strong obligation. It´s personal. It involves the speaker´s opinion.

HAVE TO strong obligation. It´s external (law, rules, etc.)