Modals:
Present
and Future
Ability
Can and be able to
Can, like all modal verbs, cannot be used
in an infinitive or continuous form. We
use be able to in situations where we
need these forms.
I’d like to be able to swim.
Not being able to swim is annoying.
Certainty and Uncertainty
Must and can’t
These words have a meaning related to
certainty – they are used to make
deductions. This is when we are sure or
almost sure about something because it
is logical. This usage is especially
common with the verb be.
Examples
You must be tired after your long journey.
(I am sure you are)
That can’t be Sue. She’s in Brazil.
(I am sure it is not possible)
These words are also used in other ways:
must for obligation and can(‘t) for ability.
Certainty and Uncertainty
May, might and could
These words all express uncertainty or
possibility. Could is not used with not in
this context.
I might go out. I don’t know. I could get
wet.
May, might and could
The meaning for all these three words is
approximately 50 per cent probability.
But if we stress the modal verb strongly
in speech the probability is reduced.
I might see you later if I finish my work,
but don’t count on it.
(Might is strongly stressed in speech)
Certainty and Uncertainty
Should and ought to
These words are both used for obligation.
But they also have a meaning related to
certainty – they are used when we
expect that something will happen.
Brenda should be home by now. (I expect
that she is)
Certainty and Uncertainty
Be bound to
This is used to say that something is
certain to happen in the future.
You’re bound to see Paula if you go there.
(I am sure you will)
Obligation
Must and have to
In writing there is no real difference
between these words. In speech there is
sometimes a small difference. Must is
used when the speaker personally feels
something is important and have to is
used when the situation makes
something necessary.
Examples
You must start working harder!
(I say so)
You have to turn left here.
(it’s the law)
Sorry, I must leave/ have to leave now.
(in this example there is no difference)
Obligation
Mustn’t and don’t have to
Be careful: must and have to are very
similar in their affirmative forms but
they are completely different in their
negative forms.
Mustn’t describes something which is
prohibited. Don’t have to describes
something which is not necessary.
Examples
You mustn’t leave now.
(it’s not allowed; it’s against the rules)
You don’t have to leave now.
(it’s not necessary; you have a choice)
Obligation
Should and ought to
These words have the same meaning.
They are used to say what is the best
thing to do. They can be used to give an
opinion, some advice, or polite
instructions.
Examples
We should do something different for our
holidays this year.
I think you should see a doctor.
You ought not to smoke if you’re
pregnant.
You should send your application by July
18th.
Obligation
Had better
This phrase gives strong advice about how
to stop something going wrong. It can
refer to present or future time.
I think you’d better leave now. (before it is
too late)
You’d better not drive. (it might be
dangerous)
Obligation
is/ are to
This is used in formal instructions. Not is
stressed.
No one is to leave the room.
You are not to leave the room.
Modal
Verbs:
Past
Ability
Could and was able to
To talk about general past ability we use
could.
When I was young, I could run very fast.
To talk about one specific past action we
use was able to.
Luckily, Mary was able to help us.
Certainty and uncertainty
Must have and can’t have
These are used to make logical deductions
about past actions.
I must have left my wallet in the car.
(I am sure I did)
Jim can’t have noticed you.
(I am sure he didn’t)
Certainty and uncertainty
May have, might have and could have
These express possibility or uncertainty
about past actions.
Jean might have missed the train.
(perhaps she did)
He may not have received the letter.
(perhaps he didn’t)
You could have been killed!
(it was a possibility)
Certainty and uncertainty
Was/ were to have
This describes something which was
supposed to happen, but didn’t. It is
formal in use.
He was to have left yesteday.
(he was supposed to leave, but he didn’t)
Obligation
Had to
Must has no past form, so we use had to.
Sorry I’m late. I had to take the children
to school.
The question form is Did you have to?
Did you have to work late yesterday?
Obligation
Should have and ought to have
These express the feeling that a mistake
was made. There is a criticism.
I should have posted this letter yesterday.
(I didn’t do the right thing)
You shouldn’t have told me the answer.
(you were wrong to do so)
Obligation
Needn’t have and didn’t need to
There is a slight difference betwen these two
forms. Compare:
I needn’t have arrived at seven.
(I arrived at seven, but it wasn’t necessary)
I didn’t need to arrive at seven.
(we don’t know when I arrived – maybe seven
or later)
But in speech we often use didn’t need for
both cases.
Pronunciation and Writing
In speech, have is often contracted.
I must’ve left my wallet in the car.
Indirect Speech
Must and shall
In indirect speech must is reported as
must or had to. Shall is reported as
should.
Examples:
‘You must go’.
He told me I must go.
He told me I had to go.
‘Shall I help?’
He asked me if he should help.