Subject: English
Topic: Modals
Grade: X
CB/X/20-21 Modals 1 of 18
Modal Verbs: Auxiliaries
The modal verbs are used to show that we believe something is certain,
probable or possible:
Some characteristics of modal verbs:
•They never change their form. You can't add ’s‘, ‘ed’, ‘ing’.
•They are always followed by an infinitive without ‘to’ (the bare infinitive)
•They are used to express ability, certainty, necessity, obligation,
possibility, and willingness.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 2 of 18
Ability: can, could, be able
We use can to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities.
Tina can help us set up the stalls for the exhibition.
She can speak several languages.
We use can to talk about the ability to do something at a given time in the
present or future.
Help! I can’t breathe.
They can construct the building in two years.
We use can to suggest a possible future action.
Let’s have dinner together. We can go to that new restaurant.
We use could to talk about past time.
She could knit very quickly when her eyesight was stronger.
We use could with verbs of seeing and thinking.
We could see the village at a distance.
I couldn’t understand what was being discussed at the meeting.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 3 of 18
Ability: can, could, be able to
We use be able to in some structures.
I am able to go for a walk every morning because I live near the park.
The carpenters were able to get some work done today.
We use could/was/were able to for ability or opportunity in the past.
Sara was able to/could swim at the age of three.
We use could have to say that someone had the ability/opportunity to
do something, but did not do it.
She could have learned French, but she didn’t have the time.
I could have watched the race but the tickets were expensive.
We use was/were able to say that the ability or opportunity resulted in a
particular action.
The plane was able to take off at 2o’clock, after the fog lifted.
The plumbers were able to repair the pipe before the house flooded with
water.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 4 of 18
Permission: may, can, could
We can use can/could/may to ask for permission to do something. Could
sounds more polite than can. May is formal.
Could/can we borrow your ladder?
May I see the letter?
We use can/can’t or may/may not but not could/couldn’t to give/refuse
permission.
You can wait in my office.
Members may not bring more than two guests at the club.
We use can for the present and could for the past for permission.
Each passenger can carry a small bag on the plane.
The visitors could not eat inside the temple premises.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 5 of 18
Possibility and certainty: may, might, could,
must
We use may or might to say that something is possible or that it is
quite likely. Use them for the present or the future.
Don’t touch the wire. It may/might give you a shock.
I may go to the theatre tonight.
It could rain later.
We use must when we realise that something is certain.
I had my keys a moment ago. They must be here somewhere.
She isn’t answering the phone. She must be out.
We use may when the degree of possibility is more and might when it
is slightly less.
We use can to make general statements about what is possible.
It can be very cold in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold in winter.)
You can easily lose your way in the dark. (= People often lose their
way in the dark.)
CB/X/20-21 Modals 6 of 18
Possibility and certainty: may, might, could,
must
We use could as the past tense of can.
It could be very cold in winter. (= Sometimes it was very cold in winter.)
You could lose your way in the dark. (= People often lost their way in the
dark.)
We use could, might and may to show that something is possible in the
future, but not certain.
John might arrive later in the day.
He may come by car.
If we don’t hurry, we could be late for the seminar.
We use could have, might have and may have to show that something was
possible now or at some time in the past.
It’s ten o’clock. He might have arrived now.
They could have arrived hours ago.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 7 of 18
Possibility and certainty: may, might, could,
must
We use could as the past tense of can.
It could be very cold in winter. (= Sometimes it was very cold in
winter.)
You could lose your way in the dark. (= People often lost their way
in the dark.)
We use could, might and may to show that something is possible
in the future, but not certain.
John might arrive later in the day.
He may come by car.
If we don’t hurry we could be late for the seminar.
We use could have, might have and may have to show that
something was possible now or at some time in the past.
It’s ten o’clock. He might have arrived now.
They could have arrived hours ago.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 8 of 18
Impossibility
We use the negative can’t or cannot to show that something is impossible:
That can’t be my car.
You cannot be serious.
We use could not to talk about the past.
I knew it could not be my car.
He was obviously joking. He could not be serious.
Daniel may not get the job.
The manager might not be in the office.
We use can’t when we realise that something is impossible.
We haven’t walked far. You can’t be tired yet.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 9 of 18
Necessity: must, have to
We use must when the speaker feels that it is necessary to do something.
You must exercise to lose weight.
We use must to express a wish.
I must buy an encyclopedia for my daughter.
We use have to when the situation makes something necessary.
We have to be quiet in the prayer hall.
We use had to for this if we are talking about the past.
Everyone had to contribute something to the annual party.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 10 of 18
Instructions and Requests
We use could you and would you as polite ways of telling or asking
someone to do something. Can and will are less polite.
Could you take a message please?
Would you carry these bags for me please?
Suggestions and Advice:
We use should to make suggestions and give advice.
You should send an email to the client.
We should go by train. It is more convenient than travelling by road.
We use could to make suggestions.
We could meet at the station at 7 p.m.
You could eat out to celebrate your birthday.
We use conditionals to give advice. Past tenses are more polite.
Grandfather will help you if you ask him.
Grandfather would help you if you asked him.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 11 of 18
Offers and Invitations
We use can I or shall I and to make offers.
Can I help you with the bags?
Shall I call a taxi for you?
We sometime say I can or I could or I’ll (I will) to make an offer.
I can do that for you if you like.
I’ll give you a lift to the station.
We use would you like (to) for invitations.
Would you like to meet for discussion tomorrow?
For a very polite invitation.
You must come and meet us on Sunday
We must meet again soon.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 12 of 18
Should and Ought to
We use should and ought to say what is best thing or the right thing to do.
There is no difference in meaning.
You are not well. Perhaps you should see a doctor.
You ought to listen carefully.
We can use should and ought to in questions to ask for advice.
It is a difficult math problem. How should we solve it?
CB/X/20-21 Modals 13 of 18
Probability
We use must to show we are sure something to be true and we have
reasons for our belief.
It’s getting dark. It must be past 6o’clock.
You have been working all day. You must be tired.
We use must have for the past:
They had been working all day. They must have been tired.
You look happy. You must have heard the good news.
We use the modal should to suggest that something is true or will be true in
the future and to show you have reasons for your suggestion.
She should know about the manager’s travel plans.
It's nearly six o'clock. They should reach soon.
We use should have to talk about the past.
It's nearly midnight. They should have reached by now.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 14 of 18
Modal Verb Expressing Example
strong obligation You must pay the bills on time.
must logical conclusion/ certainty He must be hungry.
prohibition You must not speak loudly in the
must not hospital.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 15 of 18
ability I can play the guitar.
permission Can I use your phone please?
can
possibility The furniture that you ordered
can be delivered tomorrow
morning.
ability in the past When I was younger, I could run
fast.
could polite permission Excuse me, could I borrow a
pen?
possibility Your idea could work. Let’s try it.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 16 of 18
permission May I take this seat?
may
possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!
polite permission Might I give you a suggestion
for the design of this room?
might
possibility, probability I might go on holiday to
London next year.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 17 of 18
lack of necessity/ I need not buy any vegetables.
need not absence of There are plenty of vegetables in
obligation the fridge.
obligation I should/ought to see a doctor. I
have fever and body ache.
advice You should/ought to exercise
should/
daily and eat healthy.
ought to
logical conclusion He should/ought to be resting.
He's been feeling sick all day
long.
CB/X/20-21 Modals 18 of 18
