Ability/Lack of Ability

Can, Could, Be Able To

can/can't + base form of the verb

1. Tom can write poetry very well.
2. Lisa can't speak French.

am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the verb

am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the
verb
1. Mike is able to solve complicated math equations
2. The support team will be able to help you in about ten
minutes.
3. I won't be able to visit you next summer.

Ask Permission / Give Permission (can,may)

Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)
1. Can you lend me ten dollars?
Could + subject + base form of the verb (polite)
1. Could I have your number?
Formal Permission / Formal Prohibition
may / may not + base form of the verb
1. You may start your exam now.
2. You may not wear sandals to work.

Polite Request
May + subject + base form of the verb
1. May I help you?
Possibility / Negative Possibility(may,might)
may/ might + base form of the verb
1. We may go out for dinner tonight. Do you want to join
us?
2. Our company might get the order if the client agrees to
the price.
may not / might not + base form of the verb
1. Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It's very
expensive.
2. They might not buy a house at all.

To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion(Shall, Should,

Ought to)

Shall + subject + base form of the verb

1. Shall we go for a walk?
Should + subject + base form of the verb
1. Should I call a doctor?

To Give Advice
should / ought to + base form of the verb
1. You should check that document before you send it
out.
2. You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.

To Give Advice (about something you think wrong

or unacceptable)
shouldn’t + base form of the verb
1. James shouldn't teach him words like those.
Prohibition
We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not
allowed.

can't
We use can't to talk about something that is against the rules,
particularly when we didn't make the rules.

ex:You can't take photos in the museum. They're really strict about it.

must not/mustn't
We use must not to talk about what is not permitted. It is common on public
signs and notices informing people of rules and laws.
Ex:Visitors must not park in the staff car park.
Ex:You mustn't say things like that to your sister.

Obligation
We use have to and must to express obligation. There is a slight difference
between the way we use them.

have to
Have to shows us that the obligation comes from outside the speaker.
We have to wear a uniform when we're working in reception.

must
Must expresses a strong obligation or necessity. It often shows us that the
obligation comes from the speaker
I must phone my dad. It's his birthday today..
(Sign on a plane) Seat belts must be worn by all passengers.
Note that we don't use must to express obligation in the past. We use have
to instead.
I had to pay £85 to renew my passport last week.

No obligation
don't have to/don’t need to
We use don’t have to to and don’t need to to show that there is no
obligation. You can do something if you want to but it's not compulsory.

You don't have to go to the bank to do a transfer. You can do it online.

You don’t need to leave now. You can stay longer.