Simple Modal Verbs

Form and Uses

General aspects as regards FORM

        All modal verbs are followed by another verb in its base form.        They have no –s /-es in 3rd Person singular, except for HAVE TO: He has to do an exam and NEED: He needs to buy some petrol.        The modal verb is also auxiliary verb: Can I go to the toilets? Should I speak to him? Except for HAVE TO: Does he have to do an exam? and NEED TO: Does he need to buy any food?

Main USES of modal verbs

• We will deal with modal verbs grouped according to the concept they mean: ability, possibility, obligation, probability and deduction, permission, requests, offers, suggestions.

• Remeber that one modal verb can express different concepts:

can: I can dance (Ability)

You can come with us (Permission / Possibility)

• Likewise, one concept can be expressed by different modal verbs:

You should / ought to apologise (Advice)

ABILITY: can / could / be able to

CAN: present events

She can speak several languages

 

COULD: past events

 

When she was living in Paris, she could speak French better than now

BE ABLE TO: all tenses

She is able to speak several languages.

She was able to speak French better before.

She will be able to speak English better after several classes.

She has been able to speak French since she was a child.

- Specific ability in a specific past situation.

Although she was very nervous, she was able to come out and speak in front of the audience.

OBLIGATION: must / have to

MUST: the order comes from the speaker itself. Only present or future events.

You must be back soon this evening. We’ve got guesses for dinner.

 - Moral obligation. The duty comes from the speaker.

I must study more for the next term. I don’t want to fail this year.

HAVE TO: the order comes from an external authority. All tenses and times.

I can’t stay longer. I have to come back home. We’ve got some guesses today.

- Imposed obligation. We are obliged to do it.

I have to study more or my parents won’t let me go to a journey next summer.

I have to pay my road taxes today.

HAVE TO can be used in the rest of tenses.

HAD TO is the past form of MUST.

They will have to stay here longer if they don’t finish their work in time.

We have had to delay the appointment for the next day.

I had to study harder to pass my exams in the last term.

Other uses related to Obligation

NECESSITY: have to / need toThere is no moral obligation implied.I have to buy some more bread for tonight’s dinner.I need to pass all my exams to study at university. 

PROHIBITION: mustn’t, can’tYou mustn’t/can’t speak to each other in an exam. 

LACK OF OBLIGATION: don’t have toYou don’t have to do the exam if you don’t feel well. You can do it another day.I don’t have to get up early tomorrow. It’s a holiday.

POSSIBILITY

FACTUAL POSSIBILITY: may / might / could (only in affirmative/interrogative)

We give one possibility of something to happen. It is one option among several. They only express Present or Future

He may/might/could come to the party this evening.

(Perhaps, he will come to the party)

He may/might not come to the party this evening.

(Perhaps, he will not come)

They may/might/could be playing in the garden.

(Maybe, they are playing in the garden now)

 

Spanish translation (Puede que... / Podría ser que…)

POSSIBILITY

THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY: can (present) / could (past)We say that something is possible to happen because there are the

means or appropriate characteristics to do it.Turtles can live for many years.We can use that computer again. It already works.He seems to be unpleasant but he can be very funny at times.You can be here on time if you wish. You’ve got a fast car. Spanish translation ( El verbo poder conjugado: puede, puedo,

pueden...)

THEORETICAL IMPOSSIBILITY: can’t / couldn’tHe couldn’t come to the party yesterday. He was too busy.That door can’t be locked. It is broken.

Factual and Theoretical PossibilityCompare

It may be rainy in Praha. (Possibly, it is rainy in Praha now )

It can be rainy in Praha. ( It is usual to rain in Praha )

 

He may come to the party. (Perhaps, he will come to the part)

He can come to the party. (It is possible for him to come to the party. There is no trouble)

PROBABILITY / DEDUCTION: should / ought to / must

We say that something is probable to happen because there is a logical reason.

My father should be in his office right now. He leaves work later. (I suppose my father is in the office now because of the time)

They ought to win the match tomorrow. The other team is much worse. They shouldn’t fail. (I expect they will win)

 

To express the highest level of probability, we use MUST.

He must play the piano quite well. He has been playing it since he was six.

(I am sure he plays the piano quite well)

 

With SHOULD / OUGHT TO, we can also express surprise because some facts are different from expected.

He shouldn’t be home at this time. Why is he there?

He should be here now? Where is he?

NEGATIVE DEDUCTION: can’t (IMPOSSIBILITY)

It is the only negative form for MUST when expressing deduction

My father can’t be working in the office now. He leaves work earlier today.

He can’t know anything about playing the piano. He has never done it.

Compare:They may be studying. (Maybe, they are stduying but we are not sure)

(A lo mejor están estudiando)

They should be studying. They went to the library. (It is what we suppose or expect)

(Según lo razono, deberían estar estudiando)

They must be studying. I’ve just seen them in the library. (I am sure they are studying)

(Deben estar estudiando con toda seguridad)

ADVICE: should / ought to / must / can / could

SHOULD / OUGHT TO: they may imply some moral obligation or necessity from the listener. We think of it as the only good piece of advice.

In my opinion, you should visit the doctor. You don’t look well.You shouldn’t talk so loud. Your throat will hurt. To express strong advice, we use MUST. (More colloquial).The concert is brilliant! You must go. CAN / COULD: they don’t imply any moral issue but a suggestion that

you give among other possible ones. If you need some money, you can ask for a loan in a bank or you even

could borrow some from your parents or a close friend.

OTHER USES

PERMISSION        Asking for permission: may / can / might / couldMay/Can/Might/Could I use your telephone, please? Yes, sure!        Giving permission: may / canYes, you may/can go to the toilets. REQUESTS: can / could / will / would you mind can / could / will you borrow this book for me?would you mind borrowing this book for me? OFFERS: can / could / may / shall / will can / could /may /shall I help you?I can / will help you with your homework. SUGGESTIONS: shall we…? / can / couldshall we go to a different place for a cup?We can go to the theatre. There is a good play on.