1. MODAL VERBS
1.- followed by a bare infinitive/ perfect infinitive
( past)ex:
It must be true
It must have been true
2.-no need for auxiliar
Can I phone him now?
3.- no –s for 3rd person singular
He must be here by six o’clock

2. • It’s used to express:
• ABILITY: She can play the piano very well
• REQUEST : Can I use you telephone?
• POSSIBILITY: I can tell you what you need
CAN

3. • ABILITY ; for all the other tenses
• I was able to speak when I was 1 year.
• I will be able to speak French and English when I
leave school.
BE ABLE TO

4. • INABILITY: I can’t speak French
• PROHIBITION: You can’t use a calculator during
the Maths test.
• DISBELIEF : That can’t be so expensive; my
sister bought two yesterday.
CAN’T

5. • ABILITY IN THE PAST
• I could run very fast when I was twelve years old
• POLITE REQUEST:
• Could you please open the window?
• POLITE SUGGESTION:
• You could exercise and eat healthier food
• POSSIBILITY:
• She could come and tell us everything
COULD

6. • POSSIBILITY
• I may go to England this summer, perhaps my aunt is
going to invite me
MAY/MIGHT

7. • POLITE REQUEST:
• May I go to the toilet, please?
MAY

8. • FORMAL REQUEST
• Would you open the door please?
• OFFER
• Would you like some coffe?
WOULD

9. • OBLIGATION:
• You must bring your books to class
• CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE/ strong
belief:
• She has got a great job; she must be very happy
MUST

10. • OBLIGATION, NECESSITY
• I have to get the tickets today
HAVE TO

11. • OBLIGATION, NECESSITY:
• I need to cook dinner tonight
NEED TO

12. • LACK OF OBLIGATION/ NECESSITY
• You don’t have to come to school on Wednesday
afternoon.
• You needn’t bring anything to the party
NEEDN’T/ DON’T HAVE TO

13. • PROHIBITION:
• You mustn’t speak during the exam
MUSTN’T

14. • ADVICE/OPINION:
• You should improve your pronunciation
• You shouldn’t have been to that party; you had an examn
the following day….
SHOULD / OUGHT TO

15. • OFFER/SUGGESTION
• Shall we go to the party?
SHALL