Obligation / Necessity
asking for permission vs.
in the past
- general situations
- particular occasions
(= achievements) /+ exceptions/
in the future
- predictions about future ability
Do you think one-day machines will be
able to read our thoughts?
- arrangements
Let me see. I can see her on Wednesday.
Hypothetical Ability/ Opportunity
I couldn’t go on a quiz show. I’d be too
scared.
in the future
I could go to the cinema with them
tomorrow, but I won’t.
in the past [which was not used]
They could (might) have asked the
Prime Minister much more searching
questions. I wonder why they didn’t.
Shall/ Can/ Could I give you a hand
with the preparations?
Shall we go to the theatre today?
We can/ could go to the cinema.
(affirmative)
asking about permission
Can I/ Is it allowed/ Is it permitted
to park here?
giving vs. refusing permission
in the past
I could/ was allowed to go to parties
when I was young (= in general)
But: I was allowed to go to John’s
party last night.
Routines/ Repeated actions
In fine weather, we will often sit in the
sun for hours.
The stadium will hold 50000 people.
He will always leave his shoes in the
hall for everyone to fall over.
--- in the past
When we were students, we would often
stay up all night.
Fred never used to be so bad-tempered.
Jack used to smoke 30 cigarettes a day.
I’m used to getting up at 6 a.m.
You must phone home. It’s urgent.
We have (got) to send these VAT
forms back before the end of the month.
You are to discuss it next time.
must vs. have to
(“personal” ) (external obligation)
I must get up early tomorrow. There are a
I need hardly tell you how badly I feel lot of things I want to do.
about her departure I have (got) to get up early tomorrow. My
I don’t think you need leave yet. train leaves at 7.30.
I wonder if I need fill in this form. Must I tidy the room? (Do you insist that I
All you need do is to take a taxi from tidy the room?)
the airport. Do I have to/ need to tidy the room? (Is it
necessary for me to tidy the room?)
have to vs. have got to
I have to get up early every day.
I have (got) to fill in this form. The deadline is tomorrow.
I may have to go to Winnipeg soon.
in the past
Last night Don felt bad. We had to call a doctor. Did you have to do it?
A: What did the baby need? B: He needed to drink some milk.
Probability
He should be/ ought to be in.
There are plenty of hotels in our town. It
shouldn’t /oughtn’t to/ be difficult to
I don’t need to leave until 3 p.m.
find somewhere to stay The plane should
You must follow a healthy diet. be landing about now.
We had better take an umbrella, They should have got home by now.
hadn’t we?
There has (got) to be some mistake. I
You could/ might give John a ring didn’t order this furniture.
Predictions
- There’s someone at the door.
- That’ll be a postman.
- It can’t be. He’s already been. (can + present infinitive = general possibility
It’s 5 o’clock. Janet will be dancing in = it is theoretically possible)
Paris now. You shouldn’t/ oughtn’t to/ have
- specific situations
done it (but you did)
We sent the letter on Monday, so the You may/ might/ could be lucky this time.
You could have helped me (but you
will have received them by now. He may/might/could be working right now.
They won’t have heard the news, will didn’t)
He may/ might/ could have missed the bus.
they? You might have told me (but you
didn’t) Ann may/ might not be at home.
I’m sure they’ll win the next match.
Who can/ could/might these roses be from?