Modal verbs

Ability

Prohibition

Modal verbs

Modal and modal perfect

Advice

request

All modal use to follow some basic rules. Click on the following circle to know them:

Probability

permission

MODALS:

SEMI MODALS:

obligation and lack of obligation

Modal perfect

Obligation:

• Must: You must wear a uniform at school.

• Have to: I have to wake up early for work.
• Need to: We need to drink more water to stay hydrated.

Lack of obligation:

• Needn't to: You needn´t to bring an umbrella, it´s not going to rain.
• Not have to: He doesn´t have to work today.

Probability:

• 100%- Must: She must be at work now.
• 90%- Should: He should be arriving soon.
• 50%- Can/ could: This can/could be a good opportunity.
• 50%- May/ might: It may/might rain later.
• 0%- Can't: He can´t be at home because I just saw him at the park.

Modal + have + past participle.

(Used to talk about the past)

• Could have: You could have passed the exam if you had studied more.
• Would have: I would have helped you if I had known you needed help.
• Must have: She must have forgotten her phone at home.
• May/might have: He may/might have missed the bus.
• Should have: You should have called me earlier.

Request (petición):

• Can (informal): Can you help me with this?
• Could: Could you open the window, please?
• Would (more formal): Would you pass me the salt, please?

Permission:

• Can: You can leave early today.
• Could: Could I sit here?
• May (more formal): May I ask you a question?

Prohibition:

• Can't: You can´t smoke here.
• Mustn't: You mustn't touch this botton.

Advice (consejo):

• Should: You should drink more water.
• Ought to (formal): He ought to study more for the exam.
• Had better: She had better not be late for the meeting.

Ability:

• Can: I can swim very fast.
• Could: She could speak French when she was five.
• Be able to: One day, I will be able to travel the world.