MODAL VERBS

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Modal Verbs

Decisions and Refusals

We can use will for an instant decision or for an offer. We use won't and wouldn't for a refusal.

The strikers won't go back to work until they get a pay increase. The key went in the lock, but it wouldn't turn.

Tea or coffee? I'll have coffee, please.

Will and would for predictions

We can use will for prediction. We use would for a past prediction or a prediction about a possible situation.

How about going to Cornwall next weekend? That would be nice.

It's midnight, and Sara is still working. She'll be tired tomorrow.

Possibility

Must and can't

We use must when we realize that something is certainly true. We use can't when we realize that something is impossible

Life can't be easy when you have to spend it in a wheelchair.

I had my keys a moment ago. They must be here somewhere.

Couldn't

Something is impossible.

Samuel is afraid of heights. He couldn't climb onto the roof.

May not and Might Not

Something negative is possible.

Tom might not be in.

Daniel may not get the job.

May, Might and Could

We use may or might to say that something is possible or that it is quite likely. We can use could to say that something is possible.

You could win a million pounds.

It may/ might be a bomb.

Asking People To Do Things

Asking for things

We use can I/ we have...? and could I/ we have...? when we ask someone to give us something. We can also use I'd like... or I'll have...

I'd like a chicken sandwich, please.

Can we have our room key, please?

The Imperative

We can sometimes use the imperative form to tell someone what to do. We form the negative with don't.

Bring another chair. Don't make so much noise.

Polite Requests

We can use can or could in a request, when we ask someone to do something. We can also use Do you mind...? or Would you mind...? with an ing form. We can also use Would you like to...?

Would you like to lay the table for me?

Do you mind waiting a moment?

Can everyone be quiet for a minute, please?

Invitations

The words we use in invitations are similar to those we use in offers of food and drink.

Will you join us for coffee? Won't you sit down?

Would you like to have lunch with us?

Offers

Would like or Will/ Won't you have...?

To offer food or drink.

Will you have a biscuit? Won't you have something to drink?

Would you like one of these chocolates?

Shall or Can

Questions forms.

Shall we pay you the money now? Can I get a taxi for you?

Will or Can

To offer to do something.

I'll carry your bag. We can give you a lift.

Suggestions

Shall, Should or Can

To ask for a suggestion.

Where shall/ should we go for our holiday? What can I get Claire for her birthday?

Shall we...?, Could and Why don't

To make a suggestion.

It's a lovely day. Shall we go for a walk? We could watch this comedy on TV tonight. Why don't we have a look round the market?

Ability

Could and Was/Were able to

In negative sentences and questions we can use either form couldn't or wasn't/ weren't.

For ability or opportunity in the past, we use could or was/were able to.

The childrens were able to swim across the river.

Natasha could play the piano when she was four.

Be able to

For the future we use can or will be able to but NOT will can

If we earn some money, we can go/ we will be able to go on holiday next summer.

In the present tense is a little more formal.

Example

Marco is good with computers. He is able to write programs.

Can/ Can't

Expressing decisions

Amelia can't eat because she's sick.

I can sing in different languages.

Expressisng ability now or generally.

May have, might have and could have

We use these forms to say that possibily something happened in the past.

He may have got lost. You might have left your keys at work. Someone could have stolen them.

May/ might not have and couldn’t have

Couldn't have

It is impossible that something happened.

Daniel couldn't have caught the bus. It doesn't run on Sundays.

May/ might not have

Possibily something did not happen.

Daniel may not have caught the bus. I expect he missed it. I might not have locked the door.

Must have and can’t have

Can't Have

You've only spent five minutes on that job. You can't have done it properly.

Must Have

My watch says it's only ten past two. It must have stopped.

Should have and ought to have

We use these forms when someone didn't do the right thing.

I got lost. Sorry. I ought to have drawn you a map.

We didn't play very well. We should have played better

Necessity

Present, Past and Future

We use must and have/has to to say something is necessary. When we use the past, or the future with will, we need a form of have to. For negatives and questions with have/has to and had to, we use a form of do.

That wasn't very good. We will have to do better next time.

You'll be leaving college soon. You must think about your future. We're very busy at the office. I have to work on Saturday morning.

Be supposed to

We use be supposed to when we are talking about the normal or correct way of doing things. We can use was/were supposed to for the past.

It's eleven o'clock. You were supposed to be here at ten thirty, you know.

The guests are supposed to buy flowers for the hostess.

Had better

We use had better to say what is the best thing to do in a situation.

It's cold. The children had better wear their coats.

Should and ought to

We use should and ought to to say what is the bets thing or the right thing to do.

Your uncle was very kind to me. I ought to write him a letter of thanks.

You're not very well. Perhaps you should see a doctor

Have got to

Means the same as have to, but have got to is informal.

My father has to/ has got to take these pills.

Didn't need to or Needn't have

We use needn't have + a past participle for something we did which we now know was not necessary.

We needn't have gone to the super market.

Mark didn't need to hurry. He had lots of time.

We use didn't need to when something was not necessary.

Don't have to and Don't need to

We can use don't have to and don't need to when something is not necessary.

Mark doesn't have to/ doesn't need to finish the report today. He can do it at the weekend.

Mustn't or Needn't

We use needn't when something is not necessary.

You needn't wash those glasses. They're clean

I mustn't forget my key, or I won't get in.

We use mustn't to say that something is a bad idea.

Must or have to

We use must when the speaker feels that something is necessary. We use have to when the situation makes something necessary.

I have to exercise.

You must exercise.

Permission

Asking Permission

Can,could or may

May I please use the restroom?

Could I leave early?

Can I use your pen?

Giving and refusing permission

Refuse Permission: can't or may not, we can also use must not.

Luggage must not be left unattended

Members may not bring more than two guests into the club.

Could we picnic here? I'm sorry. I'm afraid you can't.

Give Permission: can or may

You may telephone from here.

You can wait in my office if you like.

Talking about permission

Can, could and be allowed to

We sometimes talk about rules made by someone else. We use can,could and be allowed to. We use can to talk about present and could for the past.

Examples

We weren't allowed to look round the factory yesterday.

In the 1920s you could drive without taking a test.

Each passenger can take one bag onto the plane.