Modal verbs

Modal verbs

1. CAN

   • Could
     • Past tense of 'CAN'
     • Actions that are not realistic (not CAN)
       • I'm so tired, I could sleep for a week.
     • Something would not be possible
       • I couldn't live in a big city. I'd hate itThings couldn't be better
     • Possible actions now or in future (especially to make suggestions) = might and may. Less sure than CAN, but possible.
       • We could go to the cinema/When you go to Paris next week you could stay with Sarah
     • Could have (done) - to talk about the past
       • Something was possible but didn't happen
         • Why did you stay at a hotel? You could have stayed with Sarah
       • I was so tired I could have slept for a week
   • (Be) able to
     • Managed to/Was able to
       • Somebody did something in a specific situation (not could)
         • We didn't know where David was, but we managed to find I were able to find him in the end. (not could find)
     • When you need to use other forms of tense exclude present or past
       • I haven't been able to sleep recently./Tom might be able to come tomorrow.
   • Something is possible or allowed, or somebody has the ability to do something
   • CAN"T = something is not possible
     • You can't be hungry already. You ate your lunch 40 minutes ago
     • For the past we use can't have (done)
       • Sarah hasn't contacted me. She can't have got my message.

2. MUST

   • You believe something is certain
     • You've been travelling all day. You must be tired.
     • Past = must have (done)
       • 'I've lost one of my gloves.' 'You must have dropped it somewhere.'
       • Negative = can't have (done)
         • Sarah hasn't contacted me. She can't have got my message.
     • Negative = can't
       • You can't be hungry already.
   • Someone is obliged to do something
   • Have to (Have got to)
     • I've got to work tomorrow./I have to work tomorrow.
     • We use do/does/did in questions and negative sentences (for the present and past simple)
       • Why did you have to Leave early?
     • You can say I'LL have to ... , I'm going to have to ... and I might /I may have to ...
       • They can't fix my computer, so I'LL have to buy a new one. or I'm going to have to buy a new one.
   • Giving your own opinion (for example, to say what you think is necessary, or to recommend someone to do something)
     • I must phone her/I have to phone her.
   • Must not = necessary not to do. Don't have to = don't need to do (but can if you want)

3. MAY

4. SHOULD

5. QUESTIONS

6. WOULD

7. IT'S TIME TO

8. HAD BETTER (I'D BETTER)