Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

1. Ability

   • Usage
     • We use can when we speak about general ability in the present or specific situations in the present. The negative is can't
       • S + can / can´t + v + c I can play the guitar.
         • We use could when we speak about general ability in the past. The negative is couldn't
           • S + could/couldn´t + v + c Picasso could paint when he was two.
             • We prefer could to speak about a specific situation in the past when we use these verbs: see, hear, feel, smell, taste, remember, believe, understand, decide.
               • S + could + v + c I could understand him perfectly
                 • We often use was able to to speak about a specific situation in the past
                   • S + was/were + able to + v + c We were able to drive home.

2. Request

   • Usage
     • We often use the modal verb ‘can’ to ask for permission or to make a request. Can‘ is the least formal of these verbs.
       • Can + S + V + C + ? Can I have some cookies?
         • ‘Could‘ is a little more polite than ‘can’, so we can use it in more formal situations, like talking to your boss or a stranger, or to ask for something more important.
           • Could + S + V + C + ? Could I have your attention, sir?
             • ‘May‘ is similar to ‘could’ but it is even more polite. It is considered a little old-fashioned, so people don’t use it very often these days.
               • May + S + V + C + ? May I have a glass of water?

3. Permission

   • Usage
     • We can use modal verbs ‘can’ and ‘may’ (but NOT ‘could‘) to express permission or say that someone has permission.
       • ‘may‘ is a more formal and polite way of saying that
         • S + may + V + C Students may travel free.
           • ‘can‘ is used in less formal situations.
             • S + can + V + C You can come with us
               • ‘Be allow to’ to express permission
                 • S + be allow to + V + C You´re allow to park here.

4. Offers and Suggestions

   • Usage
     • ‘Can’ and ‘may’ can also be used to offer help. ‘May’ is used in more formal situations
       • Can + S + V + C + ? Can I help you carry those bags?
         • May + S + V + C + ? May I take your coat?
           • Sometimes we can use ‘shall’ to see if someone wants you to do something.
             • Shall + S + V + C + ? Shall I open the window?
               • Might is often used with want or like to add politeness
                 • S + might + want/like + V + C I thought you might want/like to read this.
                   • Should, could, might and shall are used to express suggestions:
                     • S + Should/could/migh/shall + V + C You should go to school today.

5. Obligation

   • Usage
     • Must is for simple present. It usually shows general obligations,
       • S + must + V + C You must use a pencil on the test.
         • Have to is not an actual modal verb, but it is used like a modal.
           • S + have to + V + C I have to work tomorrow.
             • “Must not” is a negative obligation and shows something that is prohibited
               • S + must + not + V + C You must not eat in the computer room.
                 • “Don’t have to” shows something that is not necessary.
                   • S + don´t + have to + V + C I don’t have to work today.

6. Deduction

   • Usage
     • We use must when we feel sure that something is true or it's the only realistic possibility
       • S + must + V + C He must live near here because he always walks to work.
         • We use might, may or could to say that we think something is possible but we're not sure.
           • S + might/may/could + V + C She's not here yet. She might be stuck in traffic.
             • We use can't when we feel sure that something is not possible
               • S + can + not + V + C She can't study very hard because she gets really bad marks.

7. Advice

   • Usage
     • “Should” is the most common way to give advice.
       • S + should + V + C You should eat healthy food
         • “would” is used to give advice. In this situation, the speaker is giving hypothetical advice as if he/she were the listener.
           • S + would + V + C If I were you, I would return the book.
             • Ought to is not as common as should and it is a little more formal.
               • S + ought to + V + C You ought to wear a warm jacket.
                 • “had better” to express that they think something is a good (or a bad) idea.
                   • S + had better + V+ C You had better slow down. You are driving too fast!

8. Criticism

   • Usage
     • Can, could, might and should/shouldn't are used to express criticism or disapproval with reference to present or future time:
       • S + can + V + C You can be really annoying
         • S + could + V + C George could really help you!
           • S + might + V + C You might be more polite.
             • S + should/shouldn´t + V + C You shouldn't be sitting here just doing nothing!
               • Could, might and should/shouldn't + perfect infinitive are used to express criticism or disapproval with reference to past time
                 • S + should/might/could + Vpp + C I should have booked a table in advance.

9. Possibility

   • Usage
     • We use may, might and could to say that something is possible, but not certain
       • S + might + V + C They might be at home
         • S + may + V + C They may come by car.
           • S + could + V + C If we don't hurry, we could be late
             • We use can to make general statements about what is possible
               • S + can + V + C It can be very cold here in winter.

10. Prohibition

    • Usage
      • Can’t is the most common way to prohibit something
        • S + can + not + V + C You can’t drive here.
          • May not is the formal way to prohibit something
            • S + may + not + V + C You may not smoke in this house.
              • Must not is another way you can prohibit an action or make a rule against something.
                • S + must + not + V + C You must not use a cell phone.
                  • ‘Be not allow to’ to express prohibition
                    • S + be not allowed + V + C Pets aren´t allowed in this area

11. Necessity

    • Usage
      • The modal verbs of necessity show obligations. It can be a necessary action that was required over and over again, or something that occurred just once
        • The modal verbs of necessity are have to, have got to, and must
          • S + have to/have got to/must + V + C He must attend the meeting tomorrow.