Modals

Can

Abilities and Skills

Graham can repair his car’s engine.

My sister can speak a bit Hebrew.

Can you read Braille?

Keith cannot comprehend complex instructions.

Possibilities

There is a new market there. Maybe, we can find what you want.

After all this preparation, I think you can pass the exam.

Yes, theoretically, you can find gold in everywhere.

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.

Permission

Go on, you can have the last slice of the cake.

The children can sit in the front row.

Can I drive the car today, dad?

Tom can’t get a day off work this week. His boss won’t allow it.

Request and Offers

Can I have a cup of coffee, please?

Modals 1
 Can I get you a cup of coffee?

Expressions with can and cannot

I can taste the additives in this fizzy drink.

You cannot let Gavin win every time (you should not do it)

You cannot be 40! (This is impossible)

Cannot have done (-mış olmaz)

Tom cannot have been to market.

Mary can’t have gone to work.

Could

Possibility

Tom is not in his office - He could be in the meeting.

Tom is not in his office - He could be having lunch in the canteen.

Suggestions

You could take the exam in April. (Why don’t you take the exam in April?)

Couldn’t the children tidy up their bedrooms once a week?

Request

Could you pass me the butter, please?

Could you please clean the bathroom after you are finished?

Modals 2
 Conditions

You could play on your computer if you finished your homework.

You could stay at your friend’s home if you told me his name.

Abilities in the past

When Jessie was four, she could even read.

Enrico managed to explain the problem to Sandra.

Tom succeeded in beating all his opponents.

Graham was able to war his old motorcycle suit.

You could feel the heat from the Sun on your back.

Could have done in the past

Stephen could have gone home at Christmas.

Edward could have won the competition.

Might and May

Possibility

We may go out for dinner tonight, or we might get a takeaway.

We might be going out for dinner.

France might not be the richest country in Europe.

May for permission and request

Modals 3
 You may use the bathroom now.

May we have some more time to finish the paper?

You may not smoke in the restaurant.

May I have some mayonnaise with my sandwich?

Might for suggestions

You might try Ibiza next year.

You might as well take the bus.

May - Might + have done for past possibilities

He might have gone to home or IDK.

Might in Reported Speech

Gina thought Alice might get here late.

Larry said he might have left his wallet on the bus.

Would

We can use it in if clauses.

Polite conversation

I would like 300 gram of cheese, please.

I would love to come to dinner. Thank you.

Would you like to have another glass of orange juice?

Modals 4
 Would you mine if I left early?

Would with past habit

When I was a kid, I would often play with my toys.

Past willingness and refusal

William would iron his shirts, but he wouldn’t iron his pants.

James wouldn’t help me when I wanted help.

The car wouldn’t start this morning.

Advice

I wouldn’t speak to him again.

What do you think? Would you take the underground or the bus?

Must - Have to - Need to - Have got to

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

That man does not have to talk that loud.

You need not to run = You do not need to run

I have got to go = I gotta go.

I must study.

Should - Ought to - Had better

Modals 5
 Choice and advice

I think I should tidy up my room.

I think I ought to tidy up my room.

Do you think I should take the job?

Ought I take the job?

Expectations

There should be a lot of casualties after the accident.

Sandy ought to arrive any minute.

Had better - it is time

You’d better order some more photocopying paper.

You’d better not forget your husband’s birthday.

It is time to take your medications.

It is time John gave up

Modals 6