FORM MODAL VERBS do not have a third person –s Ex: She can swim. (not - She cans swim.) MODAL VERBS use inversion of the subject in questions Ex: Can I come in? (not – Do I can come in?) MODAL VERBS take the bare infinitive (without “to”) Ex: I should go now. (not – I should to go now.) MODAL VERBS take “not” to form the negative Ex: You can’t smoke in here. (not – You don’t can smoke in here.) USE MODAL VERBS can have more than one meaning. What does “can” mean in each sentence? Can I go to the cinema? He can speak five languages. In this case someone is asking for PERMISSION In this case someone is talking about ABILITIES ABILITY He can run quite fast.
CAN / COULD (being able to do something) ability in the present lack of ability in the present ability in the past lack of ability in the past He could run quite fast when he was younger.
I can’t speak English fluently.
I couldn’t speak English at all a year ago.
PERMISSION Can / could / may I answer the phone, please?
CAN / COULD / MAY asking for permission to do something giving permission CAN (less formal) COULD (formal) MAY (more formal) Yes, you can / may. You can / may answer your phone.
refusing permission No, you can’t / may not.
To give or refuse permission we use CAN/MAY but not COULD. POSSIBILITY (1) There is someone at the door. It may / might / could be Ann.
MAY / MIGHT / COULD to show that something is possible, but not certain MAY(more possible) MIGHT/COULD (less possible) We do not use COULDN’T to express uncertainty in the present. It may not / might not be Ann.
to express a present/future uncertainty POSSIBILITY (2) It can be very cold in winter.
(it is sometimes very cold) It could be very cold in winter.
(sometimes it was very cold) CAN/ COULD to make general statements about what is/was possible It’s nearly 6. They should be here any minute.
to suggest something that is true or will happen SHOULD (very likely or certain) POSSIBILITY (3) You haven’t eaten all
day. You must be quite hungry.
MUST to show that we are sure something to be true (we have reasons for it) She can’t be in Italy. I saw her today.
We knew it couldn’t be true.
to show that something is impossible CAN’T / COULDN’T OBLIGATION You must stop at a red
light.
MUST (strong obligation) to say that it is necessary to do something He should drive more carefully.
You shouldn’t drink and drive.
to show what is right / appropriate to do SHOULD(N’T) (weak obligation) PROHIBITION You mustn’t / can’t smoke here. MUSTN’T / CAN’T to show that something is prohibited / not allowed Can’t tells us that something is against the rules.
Mustn’t is usually used when the obligation comes from the person who is speaking.
ADVICE / SUGGESTIONS You should send him
an email. You should see a doctor.
SHOULD(N’T) / COULD to make a suggestion and give advice We could meet at the weekend.
to make a suggestion REQUESTS Would you carry this for
me please?
Could I have the bill please?
CAN / COULD / WILL / WOULD to tell or ask someone to do something
Can you take a message please? Will you carry this for me please?
can and will are less polite
OFFERS / INVITATIONS Can I help you? Shall I call the police?
CAN / COULD / SHALL / WILL / WOULD We use Can I? / Shall I? to make offers
I can do that for you if you like. I’ll do that for you if you like. I could give him a lift.
We say I can ... or I could ... or I’ll (I will) ... to make an offer
Would you like my help?
Would you like to go to the cinema?
We use would you like (to) ... for offers and invitations
