Modal Verbs

• Modals, modal verbs, or modal auxiliary verbs are special verbs; they are different
from normal verbs. They are never used alone ( except in short answers) and are
always followed by a main verb. They add meaning to the verb in a sentence by
expressing possibility, ability, permission, obligation...
• Modals don't use an "s" for the third person singular.
• Modals have no infinitive or participle (past/ present).
• They are followed by the infinitive form (without "to") of another verb.
• The question is formed by inverting the modal and the subject.
• The negative is formed by adding "not" or "n't" to the modal.
 MODALS OF ABILITY:
CAN, COULD (BE ABLE TO)
• When we talk about ability, we mean two things:
• General ability: this is the ability that once you have learned, you can do any
time you want like being able to read or swim or speak a language...
• Specific ability refers to the ability to do something in a particular situation
(something you can do on a specific occasion, not always) like the ability to
lift something heavy, to find something you lost, to repair something...)
 CAN/ CAN'T
• CAN/ CAN'T are used to talk about ability or absence of ability in the
present
• He can read well although he is only 4 years old.
• He can't drive today; he is too tired.
 COULD/ COULDN'T

• Could/ couldn't are used to talk about ability or absence of ability in the
past:
• I couldn't speak to Mr. Blacksmith yesterday; his secretary said he was too
busy.
• Could you convince him to join us?
 BE ABLE TO
1. "Be able to" is used to talk about a particular ability; it is often used to
express achievement accompanied with difficulty.
• Firefighters were able to save everyone from the burning house.
• He was able to survive by clinging onto the wrecked boat.
• He was able to finish all the work on time despite his heavy schedule.
2. "Be able to" can be used with other modals:
• . She should be able to answer this question.
• . He might be able to come.
 BE ABLE TO
3. "Be able to" is used with different tenses.
• I will be able to install the new application onto your computer.
• She was able to swim to the other bank although the current was strong.
• I 'm not able to help at the moment.
• She has always been able to come up with solutions to the most intricate
problems.
• Being able to speak different languages is indispensable to this job.
• I would like to be able to come with you.
 COULD+ HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

• Could + have + past participle is used to talk about a past ability that
someone had but didn't use it.
• I could have won the race, but I didn't try hard enough.
• She could have answered all the questions, but she was distracted.
• He was lucky. He could have been killed in that accident.
 MODALS OF ADVICE
(SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER)
• "should", "ought to", "had better" are used to give advice or make
recommendations, to say that something is (or is not) a good idea, is
the right / correct (or wrong/ incorrect) thing to do.
• "Should" is the most common modal used to give advice.
• I think you should see a doctor immediately.
• People shouldn't be judgemental.
• Our friend is unwell; we ought to visit him.
• "HAD BETTER" is a bit stronger. It includes the idea of warning.
It is used to express a particular urgency and is used in
demands and threats.
• You'd better not forget to pay your rent, or the landlord will sue you.

• Hey! You'd better not touch my computer.

• I’d better see my doctor. This cut is getting infected.

SHOULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

• This form is used to criticize an action in the past.

• You should have called the ambulance earlier. Now it's too late.
• You did the reparations yourself!!! You should have hired a specialist. Look
at this mess!
• You ought to have told me earlier.
 MODALS OF OBLIGATION
(HAVE TO, MUST)
• "Have to" is used to talk about impersonal obligation; i.e. obligation
imposed by the law, the rules or the regulations.
• I have to be at the airport at least three hours before the flight. It is indicated
on the ticket.
• Drivers and passengers have to wear seatbelts in a car.
• To travel abroad, you have to carry a passport.
 DON'T HAVE TO/ DON'T NEEDTO/
NEEDN'T: LACK OF NECESSITY
• We use "don't have to", "needn't", "don't need to" to say that something is
not necessary.
• You don't have to pay for the photocopies; they are free.
• You didn't have to clean the shirt. It was clean.
• He doesn't have to wear a suit to work, but he usually does.
• There is a lift in the building, so she doesn't have to climb the stairs.
• You needn't prepare anything for us to eat. We are going to eat out.
• The bus is free. You don't have to pay.
• Tomorrow is a day off. We don't have to wake up early.
 MUST

• "Must" is used to talk about personal obligation; an obligation felt by

the speaker himself.
• I really must call my parents. I haven't called them for ages.
• I must find a job. My parents can't support me forever.
• I'm not feeling well; I must see a doctor.
 MUSTN'T: IT'S FORBIDDEN, IT'S
PROHIBITED
• We use "mustn't" when we want to say that something is not allowed.
• You mustn't smoke inside a hospital. It's forbidden.
• You musn't use your phone in the exam.
• You musn't drive if you don't have a driver's licence.
 MODALS OF PROBABILITY/ POSSIBILITY
(MAY, MIGHT, COULD)
• We use "may", "might", "could" to talk about events having a possibility to
take place of which we aren't certain.
• I might go to the party if my brother agrees to drive me.
• A: Where are my keys?
• B: They may/ might/ could be in your car.
• Don't eat that old food. It was kept outside the refrigerator. It could be poisonous.
• Ellena is a calm and quiet person. She may not/ might not like the party.
 MAY, MIGHT, COULD + HAVE + PAST
PARTICIPLE
• We use this form to express uncertainty with reference to a past action
• We haven't heard from him for 10 years now. He could have died.
• I could have caught the bus if I had hurried.
• Samia is not in the city. She might have gone to her home town.
• I had better call Anna. She might not have read my email and I need an answer
urgently.
• He was very careless in crossing the road. He could have been hit by the speeding
driver.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION
(MUST, CAN'T, COULDN'T)

Must: we use "must" when we want to say that something IS TRUE

because we have strong evidence.
• They live in a splendid villa; they must be very rich.
• He has always been first in his class. He must be very intelligent.
• Oh my God! This must be Ellen's sister. They look so alike.
Can't/ couldn't: we use can't/ couldn't when
we are sure that something IS NOT TRUE.

• Alan can't have participated in the shooting. He was hospitalized at that

time.
• They couldn't be in the library; it's closed today. It's Sunday, remember!
• It can't/ couldn't be a burglar. All the doors and windows are closed.
• He can't be vegetarian. Look he is eating a hamburger.
 PAST MODALS OF DEDUCTION
MUST/ CAN'T/ COULDN'T + HAVE + PAST
PARTICIPLE
• We use the past form of modals of deduction to say that something was
true or untrue in the past based on evidence.
• You can't/ couldn't have seen him in the mall this morning. He was with me.
We never left the office.
• She can't/ couldn't have taken the car. She can't drive.
• Leila has a tan. She must have spent a lot of time in the sun.
• He isn't answering. He must have left his phone at home like usual.
• Peter arrived late which was so unusual. He must have been in a traffic jam.
 MODALS OF EXPECTATION
(SHOULD/ SHOULDN'T)
• When you expect something to happen or not to happen, use
should/ shouldn't
• I have written the instructions step by step, so you shouldn't have any
problems following them.
• Can you type up this report. It is short; it should only take two
minutes.
PAST MODALS OF EXPECTATION: SHOULD:
SHOULDN'T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

• I sent the package three weeks ago with express mail. They
should have received it already.
• He did quite well on harder assignments, so he shouldn't
have had problems with that one
 MODALS OF PERMISSION
(MAY, CAN, COULD)
• To ask for permission, we use CAN/ COULD/ MAY.
• Can is less formal and less direct than could. When asking for permission in a direct and
simple way, we use can.
• When you want to be polite or to show respect, "could" is a better choice that can be more
polite than "can".
• "May" can also be used in a much formal situation.
• May I borrow your book?
• Could I borrow your book?
• Can I borrow your book?
• To give permission, you use « Yes you may/ could/ can ».
• To refuse permission, you use « No, you can't/ couldn't/ may not ».
MODALS FOR MAKING SUGGESTIONS
(COULD, SHALL, SHOULD)

• Could, shall and should are used to express suggestions:

• Shouldn't we have a pizza instead?
• You could talk to your parents and ask them.
• Shall we throw a party sometime next week?
• As you see, most modals have multiple meanings; for example, "must" can
be used to express obligation and deduction, "can" is used to express
ability, permission, and possibility... etc, so when choosing a modal, the
general context of the sentence SHOULD be taken into consideration.