Modal verbs

Forms
 Can
• Present:
Can - Can’t

• Past:
Could - Couldn’t

They can climb mountains

 Must
• Present:

must
mustn’t

You must study harder for the exams.

 Should

should
shouldn’t

We shouldn’t harm animals by putting headphones on

 Ought to

ought to

ought not to

She has a fantastic family and ought to be happy but she is sad.
 May / might

may - may not

might - might not

We may / might not see this beautiful picture in the future if we

don’t do anything against global warming.
 Needn’t
Thank you very
much but you
needn’t bring me needn’t
a present every
time you come to
see me.
 Write down
the modal verbs
you remember
Verbs which are often
used like “can”,
“could” and “must”:
 can be able to

One day people will be able to

visit Mars

My friend can swim very well

 can be allowed to
One day people
Of course, you can will be allowed
play with me! to use
phones on
planes
 must have to
I’ll have to
get up earlier
if I want to be
punctual.

Life guards must watch all the

time.
 Write down verbs used like:

Be able to
Can
Be allowed to

Must Have to
Uses
Ability
 Ability Can
• Present

She can ski but she can’t ride a horse.

 Ability Can
• Past

When she was 9 she could play the violin but she
couldn’t play the piano.
 Be
Ability able
to
• Future:

Scientists will be able to find a cure for all types of cancer soon
 Be
Ability able
to
• Present Perfect:

He hasn’t been able to get the train.

Permission
 Permission Can
• Present: Can I talk to Ms Hull,
please?
 Permission Can
• Present:

You can swim between the flags.

 Permission Can’t
• Present:

The ESO students can’t leave the school building during

the breaks.
 Be
Permission allowed
to
• Future:

We won’t be allowed to stay out after midnight.

 Be
Permission allowed
• Present Perfect: to

They haven’t been allowed to take part in the competition

because they are not wearing the team uniform
Deduction
 Deduction (affirmative) Must

• Present:

He must be worried because he’s biting his nails.

 Deduction (negative) Can’t
• Present:

He can’t have any money because his pockets are empty

Obligation
 Obligation Must
• Present:

If you go snorkeling you must take your flippers and your

mask.
 Have
Obligation
to
• Present:

I have to pay the bills. I have to…

 Have
Obligation
to
• Past:

He had to explain the Maths problem again because

his students hadn’t understood properly .
Prohibition
 Prohibition Mustn’t
• Present:

You mustn’t cycle along this road.

Advice
 Advice Should
• Present:

He’s very tired. He should go to bed

 Advice Shouldn’t

Forest
Stewardship
Council

We shouldn’t buy furniture made with wood from

protected forests.
No obligation needn’t

You needn’t use your car to go to work

everyday.
You can cycle!
 Don’t
No obligation
Have to
You don’t have to drink so much to
feel happy.
 To need
• Present:

Murcia is one of the driest areas in Europe,

so we need to save water….
 More practice:
• http://www.englishpage.com/modals/
can.html