1. Modals and semi-modals

2. Can General ability She can run, but she can’t swim. Informal request
Can I borrow your new jacket?
Permission
You can go to the party if you’re back by 12?

3. Can’t An impossibility or something hard to believe
You can’t be serious; this must be a joke.

4. could A general ability in the past
When my dad was young, he could run very fast.
Possibility (not certain)
Diane could be asleep by now. I’m not sure.
Polite request
Could you show me how to get there, please?
Suggestion
You could try to buy tickets online.

5. may Possibility in the present or future
I may go to a museum tomorrow.
Formal request (with i/we)
May I leave early?
Formal permission
You may pay later.
Lack of permission
You may not park here.

6. might Possibility in the present or future
It might rain at the weekend.
Negative possibility.
We might not go to the library today.
Past form of may
She said she might go to work tomorrow.

7. must Strong necessity You must come home right now. Obligation
You must stop at a red traffic light.
Almost certainty
It’s late. He must be awake now.
Suggestion / recommendation.
You must taste this cake. It’s delicious!

8. Mustn’t
Prohibition
You mustn’t drive without a seat belt.

9. Should / ought to Advice/opinion
You should/ought to drive more carefully.
Obligation
I should/ought to visit Lynn tonight.
Polite suggestion (with I /we)
Should I give the cat some milk?
Prediction
He should have enough money to pay for the CD.

10. will Certainty The train will be here soon. Prediction
It will rain tomorrow.
A spontaneous decision
I’ll call Scott.
Polite request
Will you close the window, please?
Promise
I won’t be late for school.

11. Would Polite request Would you help me, please? Repeated past action
We would go swimming every day in the summer.
Past form of will
I knew she would find the way.

12. Wouldn’t, shall, needn’t
Wouldn’t = Refusal or impossibility
I tried to convince him, but he just wouldn’t listen to me.
Shall = polite question / offer (with I /we)
Shall I drive you to work?
Needn’t = lack or necessity (same as don’t have to)
You needn’t take an umbrella today; it’s going to be sunny.

13. Semi - modal

14. Be able to General ability (=can) (can be expressed in all tenses)
I am able to swim a mile.
I will be able to come tomorrow.
Specific past ability / managing to do something despite difficulty.(single action)
I was able to phone from the airport.
(not: I could phone)

15. Have/has to Obligation or necessity
(have to can be used in different tenses to express the past and future of must)
I have to get to work on time.
She had to leave the party early last night.
I will have to call you back later.

16. Don’t/doesn’t have to Lack of necessity (same as needn’t)
You don’t have to buy skis. You can rent them.