MODAL VERBS

EXPRESSING PERMISSIONEXPRESSING OBLIGATIONEXPRESSING PROHIBITIONEXPRESSING LACK OF OBLIGATION

EXPRESSING PERMISSIONIN THE PRESENT

CAN You can use my phone if you like.

Can I go now?/ Could I go now? (more formal)

MAY (even more formal)You may park your car in this area.May I go now? BE ALLOWED TOAll students are allowed to use the library

EXPRESSING OBLIGATION IN THE PRESENT We use MUST To say that something is necessary (the speaker

decides).I must go to the bank later

To talk about laws and regulations Students must turn off their mobiles during the

exam.

EXPRESSING OBLIGATION IN THE PRESENT

We use MUST

To recommend somethingThis book is lovely; you must read it.

To express a strong personal wish You must come and visit us soon.

EXPRESSING OBLIGATION IN THE PRESENT

We use HAVE TO/HAVE GOT TO To say that something is necessary (somebody

else other than the speaker decides- more impersonal

I have to see the bank manager tomorrow. To tallk about routines and every day activities. He has to make his bed every day before going

to school.

EXPRESSING PROHIBITION IN THE PRESENT

MUSTN’T You mustn’t talk to your father like that.

CAN’TYou can’t talk to your father like that.

NOT TO BE ALLOWED TOYou aren’t allowed to talk to your father like that.

EXPRESSING LACK OF OBLIGATION IN THE PRESENT

DON’T HAVE TO Teachers don’t have to wear ties

DON’T NEED TOTeachers don’t need to wear ties

NEED NOTTeachers needn’t wear ties

Some exercises….

In which of these two sentences:

a) does the speaker decide for himself?b) is the speaker told by someone else?

I have to take a holiday before the end of May.

I must take a holiday before the end of May.

Which sentences are right and which are wrong?

1. I’ve got to give up smoking.2. I’ve to give up smoking.3. I have to give up smoking.4. I often must to work until 7 o’clock at

night.

Is there any difference between these sentences?

1. You don’t have to wait.2. You needn’t wait.3. You don’t need to wait.4. You mustn’t wait.

Is there any difference between these sentences?

1. You are not allowed to smoke in here.2. You can’t smoke in here.3. You don’t have to smoke in here.

Rephrase the following sentences using modals.

1. My doctor insists that I avoid fatty foods.2. It was impossible for me to meet you at

the airport.3. You can relax because there’s no

obligation to write any more.4. Is it all right if I use your phone?5. Yes, of course it’s OK to use the phone.6. You are not allowed to buy cigarettes if

you are under 18.

Some possible answers…

1. I have to avoid fatty foods.2. I couldn’t meet you at the airport.3. You don’t have/need to write any

more.4. Can/could/may I use your phone?5. Yes, of course you can/may use the

phone.6. You can’t buy cigarettes if you are under

18.

Fill in the gaps with the right modals

1. I ____________ write to my brother.2. They ___________do their homework

before they go out.3. You _____________ take photos in here.4. You ___________ come to the party if you

don’t want to.5. ____________ (I) wear a seatbelt?

Some possible answers

1. I must write to my brother.2. They have to do their homework before

they go out.3. You mustn’t/can’t/aren’t allowed to

take photos in here.4. You don’t have/need to come to the

party if you don’t want to.5. Do I have to wear a seatbelt?

EXPRESSING PERMISSIONIN THE PAST

COULDYou could eat as much as you wanted.

WAS/WERE ALLOWED TOAll students were allowed to use the library

EXPRESSING OBLIGATION IN THE PAST We use HAD TO: To say that something was necessary (the

speaker decides).I had to go to the bank later

To talk about laws and regulations Students had to turn off their mobiles during the

exam.

EXPRESSING OBLIGATION IN THE PAST We use HAD TO To say that something was necessary (somebody

else other than the speaker decides- more impersonal

I had to see the bank manager tomorrow.

To tallk about routines and every day activities. He had to make his bed every day before going

to school.

EXPRESSING PROHIBITION IN THE PAST

COULDN’TYou couldn’t talk to your father like that.

WAS/WERE NOT TO BE ALLOWED TOYou weren’t allowed to talk to your father like

that.

EXPRESSING LACK OF OBLIGATION IN THE PAST

DIDN’T HAVE TO Teachers didn’t have to wear ties

DIDN’T NEED TOTeachers didn’t need to wear ties

Choose the correct modal verb to fill the gaps. If you think both are correct, choose the option BOTH.

1. Tom left before the end of the meeting. He __________ go home early.

a) must b) had to c) both 2. It's later than we thought. We ________ go now. a) must b) have to c) both 3. In China many children ________ wear uniforms when

they go to school. a) must b) have to c) both 4. When you come to Shanghai again, you ________ come

and see us. a) must b) have to c) both 5. Yesterday Paul became ill suddenly. We _________ to

call the doctor. a) must b) had to c) both