modal verbs

modal verbs

1. Needn´t

   • You needn´t clean the windows-Lack of obligation

2. Can´t

   • -That story can´t be true- Certainty that something is impossible.
   • -They can´t be at home yet, they only left 5 minutes ago- Deduction.
   • -They can´t be tired they have just sleep all morning- Negative deduction.

3. Be able to

   • -Jon was able to walk after the operation -Ability in the past.
   • He is able to find that street-Ability

4. can

   • -I can speak 3 languages-Ability. .
   • Can i have a biscuit please?-Request.
   • -You can go to the cinema-Permission
   • -Smoking can cause cancer- Possibility.
   • - Can i give you a hand - Offer/ Suggestion.

5. could

   • When he was 15 he could ran 6 km-Ability in the past.
   • Could i open the window?- Asking for permission.
   • This vase could be very valuable-Possibility.
   • We could bring her some flowers-Suggestion.
   • Could you repeat please-Polite request.
   • -Could i be of any help-Offer.

6. Have to/ need to

   • She has to do more excercise-Necessity/ obligation

7. mustn´t

   • You musn´t enter this room- Prohibition

8. Ought to/ should

   • The plane should be landing now-Deduction
   • You should go to the doctor-Advice
   • You ought to tell him the true-Recommendation
   • I should help more in my house-Obligation
   • You should get up or you will miss the bus-Suggestion
   • Should i order you a taxi-Offer
   • the plane should be here at 4pm - Prediction
   • you should write him a thank letter - Opinion obligation

9. Don´t have to

   • You don´t have to call a taxi -Lack of obligation

10. may

    • You may leave this room-Permission
    • May i come in?-Polite request
    • she may be the best cooker-Possibility
    • may i speak to him please?-Request
    • may i help you sure ?-Offer
    • you may not go to the party - Refusal
    • he may have gone to spain -Speculation

11. might

    • it might be quicker to travel by train- Possibility
    • you might not want to drink because is bitter-Suggestion
    • someone might have told her-Speculation
    • might i have water please-Polite request

12. will

    • Will you turn the music down?-Request
    • i will go on holiday this year-Desire
    • I think he will study harder this time-Prediction
    • where will we be this time next year-Speculation

13. would

    • would you get that box?-Request
    • woul you like to go to the cinema?- Invitation
    • would jon come with us if we asked him?-Possibility
    • what would i have done without you?-Speculation

14. Shall

    • Shall i call you-Suggestion
    • Shall i help you?-Offer
    • I shall go to the party-Intention
    • where sall we be this time next year-Speculation

15. couldn´t

    • it couldn´t have been jon he is in London-Deduction
    • I couldn´t have been jon he has an alibi-Negative deduction