PRESENTACIÓN MODAL VERBS

By Nirza Chávez

Modal verbs

Start

Index

Ability: Can/Could

Permission

Can/Could/May

Advice: Should/could

Obligation: Have to/Must/need to

pOSSIBILITY: cAN/cOULD/Might/May

01

aBILITY: cAN/cOULD

We use can and can't to talk about someone's skill or general abilities

Examples:He can swim like a fish. They can't dance very well.

We use could and couldn't to talk about the past

Examples:

Sarah could dance like a professional at the age of six.

pERMISSION

COULD AND MAY ARE MORE POLITE AND FORMAL

Asking and giving permission

• Can
• Could
• May

Refusing permission

• Can't
• May not

Can/Could/May

Asking for permission

Can we go home now?

May I take your order, please?

Giving permission

You can go home now.

You may go home now.

Refusing permission

You can't go home yet

nEXT

Students may not travel for free

Advice and suggestions: Should/ could

02

01

We use should and shouldn't to make suggestions and give advice

You should send an email. You shouldn’t go by train.

We also use could to make positive suggestions

We could meet at the weekend. You could eat out tonight.

04

03

Have to

Must/ need to

The modal verb "Have to" is commonly used to indicate that an external situation creates the obligation.

We use must or need to to say that it is necessary to do something:

You have to write the report for tomorrow. I have to arrive early because my boss is very strict.

You must stop at a red light. Everyone needs to bring something to eat.

Possibility

May

Can

Could

Might

We use it to say that something is possible, but not certain

We use can to make general statements about what is possible

We use it to say that something is possible, but not certain

We use it to say that something is possible, but not certain

If we don't hurry, we could be late.

It can be very cold here in winter.

They might be at home.

They may come by car.

Thank you!