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Modal Verbs

The document outlines the rules and uses of various modal verbs, including 'have to', 'need to', 'must', 'should', 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', and 'be able to'. It explains their applications in expressing necessity, ability, permission, advice, and speculation in both present and past contexts. Additionally, it highlights the negative forms and questions associated with these modal verbs.

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m.teliukova25
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7 views2 pages

Modal Verbs

The document outlines the rules and uses of various modal verbs, including 'have to', 'need to', 'must', 'should', 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', and 'be able to'. It explains their applications in expressing necessity, ability, permission, advice, and speculation in both present and past contexts. Additionally, it highlights the negative forms and questions associated with these modal verbs.

Uploaded by

m.teliukova25
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MODAL VERBS HAVE TO

rules (usually from someone or somewhere else): At school, you have to wear a uniform.
not necessary (-): She does not have to pay.
+ modal verb + verb
- modal verb + not + verb NEED TO
? modal verb + subject + verb? a necessity: I need to buy a new car.
not necessary (-): You don’t need to finish your task.

MUST
rules/necessary things: He must pay before leaving.
give instructions: Students must arrive at 8 o’clock.
prohibition (-): You must not (mustn’t) run.
Something we are certain it happened: It must be raining. The floor is wet.

SHOULD/OUGHT TO
advice: You should study. You should not (shouldn’t) cry. I ought to study more.
We think something is likely to happen (only SHOULD): The exam should be easy.

CAN
present ability: He can play the piano. OUGHT TO: usually not used in negative
permission: Can I go to the bathroom?
Something we believe is definitely true or untrue: Exams can be very stressful. HAVE TO/NEED TO: present simple
3r person -s
COULD don’t/doesn’t
past ability: I could speak German. does/do ?
Formal permission: Could I go to the bathroom?
Possibility now or the future: He could have an exam.

MAY/MIGHT
Possibility: I may come to the party. He might be ill.
Formal permission (only MAY): May I go to the bathroom?

BE ABLE TO
Ability in a particular situation
The river was deep, but we were able to cross it. After it rained, we weren’t able to cross it.
Things possible in the future
When the exam is finished, you’ll be able to relax.
PAST MODAL VERBS
+ modal verb + have + past participle
- modal verb + not + have + past participle
? modal verb + subject + have + past participle?

MIGHT HAVE/ MAY HAVE/ COULD HAVE


To speculate about the past (past possibility):
They might have got lost.
He may not have remembered about the party.
Alex could have called to say he was coming late.
* In negative only: MIGHT HAVE or MAY HAVE

In exclamation to complain about someone’s actions and say what we wanted them to do. Only MIGHT HAVE and COULD
HAVE
She could have remembered that I needed the car today!
She might have at least called me!

MUST HAVE
When we are sure that something has happened in the past: They must have stopped at the supermarket

CAN’T HAVE - COULDN’T HAVE


When we are sure that something has not happened in the past: They can’t have got lost.

SHOULD HAVE
To talk about things that didn’t happen as we expected: You should have been an hour ago.
to express regret and criticism You should not have bought another TV.

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