can, could, may,
might, should, must
Rules:
• They have only one form (no changes for
tense or person).
• Followed by a bare infinitive (e.g., could
do, be doing, have done).
• Can be used in the passive (e.g., could +
be done).
I. Ability (Real vs Hypothetical)
Type Use Modals Examples
I can run a
Current
Real can kilometer in 4
Ability
minutes.
I could do 50
Past Ability could press-ups when
I was young.
- Decisions
made now We can meet
about can tomorrow, if
future you like.
ability
Modals: Ability (Real vs Hypothetical)
Type Use Modals Examples
Current
If only I could
Hypothetic situation
could fly! (In fact I
al (impossible at
can’t)
present)
Past They could
situations could have bought
(able to do in have P2 the house.
the past but (They didn’t
didn’t do) do that)
II. Permission
Modals Example
May
May / Could / Can I see the doctor,
Could
please?
Can
Notes:
-Politeness Scale: May > Could > Can
-Past Permission: We use was / were allowed to instead
of modals.
E.g: I was allowed to stay up late last night.
-Could is used for past permission in reported speech.
(Mum said I could stay up late the previous night.)
III. Advice
Modals Example
should, You ought to / should cut
Semi-modals down on the amount of fast
(ought(n’t) to, had better) food.
Notes:
-“hadn't better” is only used in questions. (Hadn't you
better revise the lesson carefully before the exam?)
-“may/might as well”: although the suggestion isn’t perfect,
there’s no better option.
E.g: We may as well watch this film as there’s nothing
else interesting on TV.
IV. Criticism
Use Modals Examples
- You
shouldn't
have
behaved
should have / ought badly with
Past
to have + P2 them.
behavi
(lẽ ra nên/ko nên làm
or
gì) - John ought
to have
gone to class
yesterday.
V. Obligation & Necessity
Use Modals Examples
Current must / have to / I must submit the
Obligation need to report today.
Lack of needn’t / don't
You needn’t submit
Current have to /
the report today.
Obligation don't need to
V. Obligation & Necessity
Use Modals Examples
had to, I had to take pills
Past
semi-modal three times a day
Obligation
(needed to) last week.
I needn’t have
needn't have +
Lack of gone/ didn’t have
P2
Past to go / didn’t
didn't have to,
Obligation need to go to the
didn't need to,
doctor.
V. Obligation & Necessity
Notes:
• Needn't have + P2 -> actions that happened already.
• Didn't have to / Didn't need to -> actions that did / didn’t
happen.
E.g: + I needn’t have gone to the doctor. (I went but it
wasn’t necessary.)
+ I didn’t have to / didn’t need to go to the doctor as
I felt better. (I didn’t go.)
+ I didn’t have to / didn’t need to go to the doctor
but I went just for safety. (I did go.)
V. Obligation & Necessity
Notes:
•Must is often for personal obligation (deciding
for ourselves); Have to is for rules/decisions
(decisions made by others).
•Mustn't = Prohibition (Don't do it!), Don't have to
= Optional (You can if you want, but it’s not
required).
VI. Degrees of Certainty
Use Modals Examples
- That must be the nurse
Certainty must, can't, I’m looking for.
(now/future/general) couldn't - These can’t be the
books he intends to buy.
- She must have been in
a lot of pain.
must/can't/
Past Certainty - His leg can't/couldn’t
couldn't have P2
have been in plaster for
2 years!
- You ought to/should
Probability feel better in a few days,
should, ought to
(now/future/general) as long as you take
enough rest.
- Jane ought to have
should have, finished writing her
Past Probability ought to have + essay by now.
P2 - You should have told
VI. Degrees of Certainty
Use Modals Examples
Possibility That medicine
could, may,
now/future/gene could/may/might
might
ral be dangerous.
That
could / could/may/might
Possibility
may / might have been the
(real past)
have P2 doctor who rang
earlier.
- Luckily, you went
Possibility could, might to the doctor or you
(unreal past) have P2 could/might have
become quite ill.