MODAL VERBS

an auxiliary verb that expresses necessity or possibility

 PERMISSION
A consent or authorization
PERMISSION
➔ To allow someone to do a particular thing
➔ Most commonly used:
◆ Can
◆ Could
◆ May
◆ Might
PERMISSION: CAN
➔ Informal way of asking permission
Can I sit here?
● Informal way of granting permission
You can sit here.
● Informal way of refusing permission
Sorry, you can’t sit here.
PERMISSION: COULD

➔ More polite way of asking permission

Could I use this chair?

PERMISSION: MIGHT/ MAY
➔ formal way of asking permission
Might/ May I use this chair?

● Formal way of giving permission

You may use this chair.

PERMISSION: IN THE PAST
● We use was/were allowed to or couldn’t

He wasn’t allowed to sit down during the class.

He couldn’t sit down during the class.
They were allowed to eat inside the office.
OBLIGATION
A duty or commitment
OBLIGATION: MUST
● The obligation came directly from the speaker
● “Personal Obligation”
● Can also be used to other person
I feel fat. I must go to the gym.
I must go to work early, because I have a lot of work to do.
You must wear your face mask at all times.
OBLIGATION: HAVE TO
● The obligation is external
● Somebody told you to do so

I have to give up smoking. (I’m obliged. My doctor said so)

I have to finish all my work today. (My boss gave me deadline)
OBLIGATION: ‘VE GOT
● To express obligation informally

I’ve got to be there before ten or else he will kill me.

He said, I’ve got to pick him up after work.
OBLIGATION: HAD TO (in the past)

I had to give up smoking, because I was diagnosed with

cancer.

I had to leave early, because I wasn’t feeling well.

OBLIGATION: MUSN’T
● Used to express prohibition
● An obligation NOT to do something

You musn’t reveal any confidential information of the

company.
OBLIGATION: DON’T HAVE TO
● Used to express an absence of obligation

You don’t have to bring me gifts. Just your presence is

enough.
 NECESSITY
A state or fact of being required
NECESSITY: NEED TO or HAVE TO
● Used to say that something is necessary
● Need to/ have to + infinitive

We need to/ have to confirm our reservations before

Friday.
NECESSITY: DON’T NEED TO or NEEDN’T

The doctor said. I don’t need to wear glasses.

Tell him he doesn’t need to/ needn’t wash the dishes.

DON’T NEED TO (in general, all the time)

doesn’t need to/ needn’t (on one specific occasion)
COMMONLY USED MODALS
BE ABLE TO/ BE ALLOWED TO

Used to express permission or possibility

We we’re allowed to eat all we wanted

You won’t be able to finish the report before deadline.
We CANNOT use IT + BE ABLE TO/ BE ALLOWED TO
It isn’t allowed to use your phone.
You are not allowed to use your phone.
BE ABLE TO/ BE ALLOWED TO

Used to express permission or possibility

We we’re allowed to eat all we wanted

You won’t be able to finish the report before deadline.
IT IS (NOT) PERMITTED TO

Express prohibition in formal situations

Used in laws and rules

It is not permitted to take photos of the documents.

Picnics are permitted in the park.
HAD BETTER/ HAD BETTER NOT
- Used when we think that someone should or shouldn’t do
the action
- A negative result may happen
- ‘d better/ ‘d better not

We’d better hurry or we’ll miss the train.

You’d better not tell your mom you broke the vase. -She’ll
get mad.