MODAL VERBS

MODAL
USES EXAMPLE
VERB
CAN Can I open the window? It’s too hot in here.
PERMISSION
MAY May I open the window? It’s too hot in here.
Could you carry this for me, please? I have too much to
COULD
carry.
REQUEST Would you get me a newspaper when you go to the
WOULD
shops, please?
WILL Will you answer the phone, please? I am busy.

SHALL (It can

only be used in Shall I get a pizza for dinner tonight? (Suggestion)
CONFIRMATION I shall meet you at the station at 7.
the 1st person-
I/We)
She may come to the meeting. She’s not sure of her
MAY
schedule at the moment. (70%)
MIGHT
POSSIBILITY He might be in the office on Tuesday- I’m not sure. (40%)
(weaker)
He could be on the fourth floor- he has a meeting there
COULD
later.
He can’t be at work. It’s Saturday and he doesn’t work on
CAN’T (HAVE)
Saturdays. (Present)
(Negative
He can’t have been at work on Tuesday. I saw him at the
DEDUCTION certain
stadium. (Past)
CERTAINTY (from deduction)
evidence) MUST (HAVE) He must be in the office- his car is there. (Present)
(Positive certain He must have been in the office- his car was there. (Past)
deduction)
OFFER WILL I’ll drive you to the station.
CAN I can ride a horse- I had lessons when I was a
child.(Present)
CANNOT I can’t swim. In fact, I’m terrified of water. (Present)
ABILITY COULD I could speak Danish when I was a child. (Past)
COULD NOT I couldn’t drive a car until I had lots of lessons. (Past)
I started my driving lessons. I’ll be able to drive in two
BE ABLE TO
months.
SHOULD You should see a dentist if you have a toothache.
SHOULD NOT You shouldn’t drink alcohol if you are going to drive.
ADVISE You ought to phone your mother on her birthday- it’s a
OUGHT TO
SUGGESTION good idea.
OUGHT NOT You ought not to go out in the rain if you don’t have an
TO umbrella- it’s a bad idea.
CAN You can either take the bus or the metro.
CHOICE/POSSIBILITY
COULD You could take a taxi if you are in a hurry.
MUSTN’T You mustn’t use your phone in class.
PROHIBITION
CAN’T(weaker) You can’t drive a car without a license.
MUST You must wear a crash helmet on a motorbike. It’s the
law.
OBLIGATION
HAVE TO You have to stamp your ticket when you get on a bus in
Rome.
DON’T /
NO NECESSITY DOESN’T You don’t have to do all the exercises. Only the first one
HAVE TO

MODAL VERBS | Teacher Ana García Pedregosa