Compulsion:
¥" MUST: Fett at the moment of speaking. | must go now. i's getting dark’, Present reference
Y” HAD BETTER: External compulsion. You'd better be here at 8,00 o'clock.
Y, SHOULD! QUGHT To Advice or suggestion: Vou should s98 2 doctor
"HAD BETTER: I think youd better leave now (ther lb on at}
THEORETICAL: CAN (present) and COULD (pas!). Scotland can be very warm in September
FACTUAL: MAY (present and future). There is present evidence that surmething wil happen.
REMOTE / TENTATIVE: iGHT (present and fulure) / COULD (I's possible but not likely to happen)
MAY HAVE + PP: Possible past events: She's late. She may have missed the trai,
MIGHT HAVE + PP: idem, butt did net happen. *..You might have kiled yoursel™
FOR SPECULATING ABOUT THE PAST: COULD / CAN (negative or questions): Peter could have run long
distances,
4244844
GENERAL PRESENT ABILITY: CAN : he can swim.
FUTURE ABILITY: TO BE ABLE TO: It implies a sense of achievement. “Il be able to speak French in a few
months?
(GENERAL ABILITY IN THE PAST: COULD: She could ride a horse
ONLY IN ONE OCCASION: TO BE ABLE TO / MANAGE / SUCCEED IN (but COULONT in negativey: | managed
to coin time
PERMISSION
FORMAL: MAY. May | goto the tollet? (Do you let me go?)
Y POLITE. COULD. Could yu to the toilet? (Remote, tentative. You expect a negatve answer)
INFORMAL: CAN. Cen! go tthe tollet? st allowed to go tothe Wilt?)
KROSS
REQUEST:
¥" SHOULD (Move formal). Should | leave these papers on the desk? (You arent eure ofthe answer)
SHALL (Less formal). Shall | open the door? (An affirmative answer is expected)
Y WILL (tor emphasis) you wil help me now Il be grateful
HABITS:
% use Tu: vastnapes used to ve in NeW York
Y WOULD: Habis nie past elated general to our enitnood experiences or when recaina meron
«itis mot used to tac aout pact states (be, ve, have, ets} He vee to be my tan. (2 oul)
+ itis not used to contrast past and present hiabils. My brother used to play football but now ne plays
tennis.
Y WILL: (PRESENT) He will go all day without eating