MODAL VERBS

A) CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Invariable : they do not go in different tenses (for example, they don't add “-s” in the 3rd person
singular)
2. They do NOT use auxiliary verbs for the negative and interrogative sentences.
3. They are ALWAYS followed by a verb in the infinitive form.

EXAMPLES:
She can swim.
She can't swim. Can you swim?
She can swim.

B) USES:
1. ABILITY:
- be able to
- can
- can't (lack of ability)
- could (past ability)
2. REQUEST:
- can -
-could formality
- may
- would +
3. POSSIBILITY:
- must (certainty) +
- can
-could
- may
-might
- can't -
4. POLITE SUGGESTION: could
5. OBLIGATION AND NECESSITY:
- must (strong, authorities)
- have to
- need to
6. LACK OF OBLIGATION AND NECESSITY:
- don't have to
- needn't to
7. PROHIBITION: mustn't
8. ADVICE AND OPINION:
- should
- ought to
-had better
9. OFFER: would

C) SEMI-MODALS:
- be able to EXAMPLES: I was able to sleep. Are you able to speak Chinese?
- have to EXAMPLES: She doesn't have to come. Did you have to study?
- need to (only in interrogative) EXAMPLES: I needn't to study. DO you need to study?
 MODAL PERFECTS
A) FORM: S + modal + have + Past Participle
Examples: I could have studied more.

B) USES:
1. COULD HAVE: ability to have done something, but we didn't.
EXAMPLE: I could have saved money.
2. CAN’T / COULDN'T HAVE: certainty something didn't happen.
EXAMPLE: He couldn't have been at the party. He was in London.
3. MAY / MIGHT HAVE: guess about a past action.
EXAMPLE: He may / might have passed his exam.
4. MUST HAVE: certainty about the past.
EXAMPLES: You won the lottery. You must have been very happy.
5. SHOULD / OUGHT TO HAVE: criticism / regret.
EXAMPLES: You should / ought to have called me.
6. SHOULDN'T HAVE: criticism / regret.
EXAMPLES: You shouldn't have lied to me.
7. WOULD HAVE: We would have liked something to have happened in the past, but it didn't.
EXAMPLES: I would have called you, but I lost my mobile phone.,
8. NEEDN'T HAVE: Unnecessary past action.
EXAMPLE: She needn't have come to my house.