1. Modal Verbs

2. must
can
ought to
may
have to
could
might
should

3. Ability Logical conclusion Necessity Obligation Permission Possibility
We use modal verbs for:
Ability
Logical conclusion
Necessity
Obligation
Permission
Possibility
Prohibition
Requests
Advice

4. friends’ telephone numbers.
Ability
Can, could
I can remember all my
friends’ telephone numbers.
He could swim by the time
he was 3.

5. the phone. She must be out. This can’t be the South
Logical conclusion
Can’t be, must be
Ann isn’t answering
the phone. She must be out.
This can’t be the South
Pole.There aren’t any
penguins.

6. Logical conclusion about the past
Must/can’t have V3
You must have been tired
after all that hard work last
week.
You can’t have been tired
last Sunday – you slept for
hours.

7. I have to cycle to school. It’s too far to walk.
Necessity or lack of it
have to, don’t have to
I have to cycle to school.
It’s too far to walk.
I don’t have to go to school
today – it’s a national
holiday.

8. You mustn’t steal other people’s things. It’s wrong.
Obligation
Must, mustn’t
You must do this
homework carefully.
You mustn’t steal other
people’s things. It’s wrong.

9. We had to stay behind after the lesson and do some extra work.
Obligation in the past
Had to
We had to stay behind after
the lesson and do some
extra work.

10. Can, could, may You can borrow my bike, but you can’t have the car.
Permission
Can, could, may
You can borrow my bike,
but you can’t have the car.
Could my friends come to stay
next weekend?
May I speak loud here?

11. She might be in the library.
Possibility
May, might
Ann is not in class.
She might be in the library.
Sam may come to the
cinema with us – I’m not
sure if he’s free.

12. a dictionary in the exam.
Prohibition
Mustn’t
Students mustn’t use
a dictionary in the exam.

13. Could you pass me the salt? Would you mind pouring me some water?
Requests
Can,could, would
Can you tell me the time,
please?
Could you pass me the salt?
Would you mind pouring
me some water?

14. Advice
should
You should write to
your family.

15. You should have written to your family.(but you didn't.)
Late advice
Should have V3
You should have written to
your family.(but you didn't.)

16. You could have tried a new method (but you didn't choose to.)
Lost opportunity
Could have V3
You could have tried a new
method (but you didn't
choose to.)

17. should mustn’t must could must be have to may can might Ability
Match
should
Ability
mustn’t
Possibility
must
Necessity
could
Logical conclusion
must be
Requests
have to
Obligation
may
Advice
can
Permission
might
Prohibition

18. Ability
could
can

19. Possibility
may
might

20. Necessity
have to

21. Logical
conclusion
must be

22. Requests
can
could

23. Obligation
must

24. Advice
should

25. Permission
may
can
could

26. Prohibition
mustn’t