MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

let´s star.

MODAL VERBS DEDUCTION

CAN 90-100% NOT SURE

MUST 90 -100% Its true

MAY

MIGHT 30 -50 % its true or not true

MODAL VERBS Permission

Can ( asking for permission)

Could (more polite)

May (formal; giving permission)

The most common modal verbs to talk about permission are can, could, may and might.

Might

MODAL VERBS Obligation

Must

Have to

May (formal; giving permission)

Must and have to are used to express obligation. When we use must this usually means that the obligation comes from the speaker, it’s like a personal obligation, whereas have to normally means that the obligation is external.

CAN

CAN we use can’t (NOT mustn’t) when we are sure, or quite sure, that something is not true.

He can’t escort go with you Sorry, you can’t use this chair. (informal; refusing permission

I can speak english We’ve been walking for hours. It can’t be far from here.

Can you help me? Can I sit here? (informal)

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COULD

She could not go to the market with us

You could use my chair

Could you open the door, please? Could I use this chair?

MAY

We use may to talk about things that are possibly true, but we don’t know for sure.

He says Betty is his friend, but I think she may be his girlfriend. You may use this chair.

Sorry, you may not use this chair. (formal; refusing permission)

May I use this chair?(more formal; asking for permission)

MIGHT

We use might to talk about things that are possibly true, but we don’t know for sure.

He’s more than 2 meters tall. He might be a basketball player. (=perhaps he is)

You should call her. She might not know where you are.

Might I buy you a drink?

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Will

He will call me back

I won’t go with you because I have a lot of work

Will you cover my expenses ?

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Would

I would like a cup of tea, please

He would visit his sister every weekend

Would you like to taste it?

Must

We use must when we are sure, or quite sure, that something is true

You must not litterYou mustn’t reveal where you get the information. (=you have the obligation not to do it

You must be tired after the long journey. (=I’m sure you are tired) I must give up smoking. (I need to, I say so)

Must I go to the dentist today?

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have to

I have to give up smoking. (I’m obliged. My doctor says so)

You don’t have to arrive before 7. (=you can do it, but it’s not necessary, there’s no obligation)

Should I rest more?

Shall

I shall be at your wedding

You shall not go to the party

Shall we go to the theatre tomorrow?

Should

You should take your medicine

We should not be in this meeting

Should I rest more?

Ought to

She ought to go with her sister

We ought not assume the worst

We ought not assume the worst