MODALS

WHICH ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MODALS AND VERBS?

MODAL VERBS

Can
Be able to
Can’t
Could
May
Might
Would
*** Be able to and Have to are

CAN

I can speak English, because I lived in London.
ability
Can you open

My brother is able to play football very well
ability

BE ABLE TO

COULD

I could run very fast when I was a child.
past ability
Could

You can’t be Mark! He’s got dark hair
certainty that
something is

MAY

It may rain next week
possibility
May I pay with a credit card?
polite

She might win the gold medal
possibility

MIGHT

WOULD

Would you open the door, please?
formal request
Would you like some coffee?
offer

MUST

You must arrive on time at school.
obligation
I hear some noises inside.

I have to stay at home before midnight.
obligation,
necessity

HAVE TO

I need to go to the market because I’ve anything to

You needn’t wake up early on Sundays
lack of obligation

NEEDN’T

You dont’ have to bring anything to the party
lack of obligation

DON’T

You mustn’t smoke in this area.
prohibition

MUSTN’T

You should try and give up smoking.
advice, opinion

SHOULD

You ought to go to the doctor if you don’t feel

Modal Pefects refer to PAST or COMPLETED ACTIONS:
You should go to

STRUCTURE

MODAL PERFECTS

Must have
May have / might have
Could have
Couldn’t have
Would have
Should have

MUST HAVE

She hasn’t arrived yet. She must have been in a

MAY HAVE / MIGHT HAVE

She may / might have missed the

COULD HAVE

You could have studied more for this exam.
ability to have

COULDN’T HAVE

He couldn’t have killed him because he was in the

WOULD HAVE

I would have gone to the beach, but I didn’t

SHOULD HAVE / OUGHT TO HAVE

You should have told me that

SHOULDN’T HAVE

You shouldn’t have insulted her!
criticism
after an event