MODAL VERBS and their use

MODAL VERBS

and their functions

MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs have lots of different functions. Here are the most important ones:

NECESSITY/LACK OF NECESITY

REQUEST

ABILITY/INABILITY

ADVICE/ RECOMMENDATION

OFFER

POSSIBILITY

CRITICISING

DEDUCTION

SUGGESTION

PERMISSION/ PROHIBITION

OBLIGATION

01 ability/ lack of ability

ABILITY LACK OF ABILITY

>can >can't >could >couldn't >be able to

• He can/can't drive.
• She's able to speak English fluently now.
• They can't run fast.
• He could/was able to drive well. (przeszła umiejętność)
• He was able to repair the damage. (umiejętność zrobienia czegoś w przeszłości - pojedynczy przypadek)
• She couldn't/wasn't able to write when she was three. (przeszła umiejętność)
• They couldn't/weren't able to run fast. (umiejętność zrobienia czegoś w przeszłości - pojedynczy przypadek)

02 possibility

POSSIBILITY

>can >could >may >might >be likely to >should >ought to

• She can win the marathon. (prawdopodobieństwo 90%)
• It could be valuable. (prawdopodobieństwo 50%)
• He may be tired. (prawdopodobieństwo 50%)
• We might need to get it fixed. (prawdopodobieństwo 40%)
• It is likely that Peter will win the race. (Możliwe, że wygra)
• Peter is likely to win the race. (Peter zapewne wygra)
• He should be there soon. (prawdopodobieństwo 90%)
• He ought to be there by now. (prawdopodobieństwo 90%)

03 deduction

DEDUCTION

>must >can't >couldn't

• You must be hungry. (prawdopodobieństwo 90%)
• It can't be very late. It's still bright outside. (z pewnością nie jest bardzo późno)
• She couldn't possibly at work. It's past midnight. (z pewnością nie jest w pracy)

04 permission/ prohibition

PERMISSION/ PROHIBITION

> can >be allowed to > could >might >may >can't >mustn't

• We can/ are allowed to take 20 kg of luggage with us. (udzielenie przyzwolenia)
• You can't/ are not allowed to eat in class. (brak pozwolenia)
• Could I leave early, please? (prośba o pozwolenie)
• Might I join you? (bardziej oficjalna prośba o pozwolenie)
• You may go out. (oficjalne udzielenie pozwolenia)
• I'm afraid you can't/ mustn't eat in class. (nieoficjalny zakaz)
• Visitors may not take photographs. (oficjalny zakaz)
• We could/ were allowed to have a break at 11 o'clock every day. (udzielenie pozwolenia)
• He was allowed to go to the party last night. (udzielenie jednorazowego pozwolenia; NIE: He could go...!)

05 necessity/ lack of necessity

NECESSITY/LACK OF NECESSITY

>must >have to >need to >don't have/need to >needn't

• I must clean the car. It's dirty. (subiektywne przekonanie o konieczności)
• Dan has to be at work at 9 am every morning. (obiektywna konieczność)
• Sue has got to rest. She's ill. (konieczność)
• The grass needs cutting/needs to be cut. (konieczność)
• You don't have to/don't need to/needn't wait; it's open. (brak konieczności)
• I had to be home by 10. (konieczność)
• Sue had to rest when she was ill. (potrzeba)
• The grass needed cutting/to be cut. (konieczność)
• He didn't have to wait; it was open. (nie musiał i nie czekał, bo nie było takiej potrzeby)

06 advice/ recommendation

ADVICE/ RECOMENDATION

>should >ought to >had better >shall

• You should/ ought to wear a scarf; it's cold. (rada)
• You had better finish your homework. (rada)
• Shall I go? What do you think? (prośba o radę)

07 criticising

ADVICE/ RECOMENDATION

>could >should >ought to

• She could at least tell us. (Mogła nam przynajmniej powiedzieć)
• She should be more polite. (Powinna być bardziej uprzejma)
• You really ought to be more helpful. (Powinieneś więcej pomagać)

08 obligation

OBLIGATION

>must >ought to

• You must have a license to drive a car. (prawny obowiązek)
• We ought to help the poor and needy. (moralne zobowiązanie)

09 obligation

REQUEST

>can >could >may >might >will >would

• Can I borrow your pen, please? (prośba)
• Could I use your notebook, please? (uprzejma prośba)
• May I have a word with you? (oficjalna, uprzejma prośba)
• Might I have a word with you? (bardzo oficjalna prośba)
• Will you help with the cooking later? (uprzejma prośba)
• Would you mind opening the window? (uprzejma prośba)

10 offer

OFFER

>can >would

• Can I help?
• Would you like me to give you a lift?

11 suggestion

SUGGESTION

>shall >can >could

• Shall we buy some chocolates for her? (sugestia)
• I/We can always go later, if you like.
• I/We could go later.