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MODAL VERBS
 ABILITY

CAN - PRESENT COULD – PAST

Pepito can play the guitar. Pepito could play the violin when he
was a child.

BE ABLE TO is also used to express an ability. However, it is not considered a modal verb.
OFFERS

WOULD - FORMAL SHALL – I, WE CAN – INFORMAL

Would you like a drink? Shall I help you? Can I help you?
PERMISSION

MAY – VERY FORMAL COULD - FORMAL CAN - INFORMAL

May I go to the Could we have a break? Can I go to the party?
restroom?
OBLIGATION
MUST – INTERNAL OBLIGATION HAVE TO – EXTERNAL OBLIGATION
I must be a good student I have to be a good student
(I decided it) (My mom decided it)

MUST – WRITTEN HAVE TO – DAY TO DAY

RULES/INTRUCTIONS
Apprentices must attend class You have to arrive on time.
regularly.
Pepita has to arrive on time.
ADVICE
HAD BETTER – STRONG OUGHT TO – NOT SO SHOULD – WEAKER
ADVICE COMMON ADVICE
You had better study for You ought to study You should study
the final test! harder! harder!
You’d better study for
the final test!

(Your mother) (Your friend)

PROBABILITY / POSSIBILITY

MUST – 100 CERTAINITY

Pepita doesn’t look good. She must be sick.

PROBABILITY / POSSIBILITY

COULD – SOMETHING IS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT CERTAIN

We could eat natilla and buñuelos this Christmas.

MAY – VERY FORMAL MIGHT – COMMON

(WRITING)
Smoking may cause lung We might eat natilla and
problems. buñuelos this Christmas.
PROBABILITY / POSSIBILITY

CAN – GENERAL STATEMENTS ABOUT WHAT IS

POSSIBLE
That dog can be dangerous (It has bitten someone)

CANNOT – SOMETHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

You cannot be serious.