Modal Verbs

A modal verb is a type of verb that is used to indicate modality(a system of

linguistic options that allows for expressing a speaker's general intentions (or
illocutionary point) as well as the speaker's belief as to whether the proposition
expressed is true, obligatory, desirable, or actual) – that is: likelihood, ability,
permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice. Modal
verbs always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb
having semantic content.[1] In English, the modal verbs commonly used
are can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, had better,
"have to" and sometimes need or dare.

All modals (will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must) and semi-
modal “ought to” have only one form.

o Modals are followed by the bare infinitive (simple or continuous) or the bare
perfect infinitive:
E.g. Toby should be very fit by now;
Toby should have recovered by now.
o The semi-modals have to and need to change their form depending on
person and tense:
E.g. The doctor said I had/ needed to give up red meat.

Modals: ability (can, could)

Can, like all modal verbs, cannot be used in an infinitive or continuous
form. We use be able to in situations where we need these forms.
E.g. I would like to be able to swim.
Not being able to swim is annoying.

o Expressing ability now or general;

E.g. I can run a kilometer in four minutes,

o Expressing decisions made now about future ability

E.g. We can meet at the gym tomorrow, if you like.
o Can with be is used to make criticisms.
E.g. You can be really annoying, you know!
o Can is also used with be to refer to capability (),
E.g. Winter here can be really cold.
o We use was able to when we talk about one specific past action.
E.g. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to save the dog.
o Could is used to express ability in the past
E.g. I could do fifty press-ups with one hand when I was younger.
o Expressing ability in present, future or general hypothetical situations
E.g. If only I could quit smoking!
o Could is used to express possibility or uncertainty,
E.g. This could be the house.
o Could is used with comparative adjectives to express possibility or
impossibility.
E.g. The situation couldn’t be worse,
It could be better.
o Could is used to make suggestions.
E.g. We could go to that new restaurant opposite the cinema.
o Could is used to express unwillingness.
E.g. I couldn’t possibly leave Tim here on his own.

Certainty and uncertainty

Must and Can’t

These words have a meaning related to certainty- they are used to make deductions

be.
E.g. You must be tired after your long journey (I’m sure you are)
That can’t be Sue. She’s in Brazil. (I’m sure it’s not possible)
These words are also used in other way: must for obligation and can
(‘t) for ability (see above)

Must and have to

Must is used when the speaker personally feels something is
important and have to is used when the situation makes something
necessary.
E.g. You must start working harder. (I say so)
You have to turn left here. (it’s the law)
In many uses there is no difference:
E.g. Sorry, I must leave/have to leave now (no difference)

Mustn’t and don’t have to/needn’t/don’t need to

 Must and have to are very similar in their affirmative forms, but they
are completely different in their negative forms.

Mustn’t describes something which is prohibited. Don’t have to

describes something which is not necessary.

E.g. You mustn’t leave now (it’s not allowed. It’s against the rules.)
You don’t have to leave now (It’s not necessary. You have a choice.)
Needn’t/don’t have to/don’t need to are used to express lack of
obligation or necessity.
E.g. You needn’t/don’t have to/don’t need to pick up that
prescription from the chemist as I’ll get it while I’m in town.

Had to is used to express past obligation:

E.g. I had to take the pills three times a day for two weeks.
Needn’t (+ perfect infinitive)/didn’t have to/didn’t need to are used
to express lack of past obligation:
E.g. I needn’t have gone/didn’t have to go/didn’t need to go to the
doctor.
o Needn’t (+ perfect infinitive) always refers to an action that
happened.
o Didn’t have to and didn’t need to can refer to actions that did or
didn’t happen.
E.g. I needn’t have gone to the doctor. (I went but it wasn’t
necessary.)
I didn’t have/need to go to the doctor because I suddenly felt better.
(I didn’t go)
 I didn’t have/need to go to the doctor but I went just to be on the safe
side. (I did go)

o It is unusual to use must for questions. We usually use have/need to.

E.g. Do/have/need to take this medicine before every meal?

Needn’t have and didn’t need to

There is a difference between these two forms. Compare:

I needn’t have bought a ticket. (I bought one, but it wasn’t necessary- I
made a mistake)
I didn’t need to buy a ticket. ( I didn’t buy one- I knew it wasn’t necessary)
In everyday speech we often use didn’t need to for both cases.

Modals: advice

Should and ought to

o They can be used to give an opinion, some advice, or polite

instructions.
E.g. We should do something different for our holidays this year.
I think you should see a doctor.
You ought not to smoke if you are pregnant.
o Where should appears, ought to can also be used.
o Expectation
 This film should be really good.
o Recommendation
I think you should talk it over with your parents.
In writings, should can be used to express a strong obligation politely.
E.g. Guests should vacate () their rooms by midday.
o Criticism of an action
You shouldn’t eat so much late at night.
o With be and adjectives describing chance. This group of adjectives
includes odd, strange, funny (=odd) and the expression what a
coincidence.
E.g. It’s strange that you should be staying in the same hotel!
o After “In case” to emphasize unlikelihood
E.g. In case I should be out, this is my mobile number.

Had better

o This phrase gives strong advice about how to stop something going
wrong. It can refer to present or future time.
E.g. I think You’d better leave now. (before it is too late)
You’ d better not drive. (it might be dangerous.)

Modals: permission
May, might and could

o May, could and can are used for asking for and giving permission
now, for the future or generally:
 E.g. May/could/can I see the doctor, please?
o Could/May/Might are used to express possibility about now, the
future or generally:
E.g. You should talk to your doctor first because that diet
could/may/might be dangerous.
o Could/May/Might (+ perfect infinitive) are used to express possibility
about the real past:
E.g. That could/may/might have been the doctor who rang earlier
while we were out.
o Could/ might (+ perfect infinitive) are used to express possibility
about a hypothetical past:
E.g. It’s a good thing you went to the doctor or you could/might have
become quite ill.
Fill in the correct modal verb!

1. Jonathan _____ ski really well and he often wins his races.
2. I _____ go to the party but I'm still not sure.
3. I think you ______ go out more and meet new people.
4. You ______ come with us if you don't want to.
5. This is a secret between you and me, so we ____ tell anyone.
6. It's dangerous to go into deep water if you _____ swim.
7. I feel miserable so I _______ stay at home tonight.
8. I _______ go out later with my parents but I don't really know.
9. All passengers __ remain in their seats and ______ use their mobile phones.
10.___ you please phone me in the evening?
11.To get a driving licence you _____ be over 18.
12.You ______ wear a uniform when you're in the army.
13.You _______ come with me. I can handle it alone.
14.She ______ come with us because she's broken her leg.