Modal verbs
function time ability present
past
possibility present
past future
arrangements future
permission
obligation
necessity
prohibition
present/ future
past
present
past future
present
past
future
present/ future
past
past criticism
form
can
is/are able to could
was/were able to
may, might, could
could have, might have
will be able to
can, could, be able to
can, can't
allowed to
have (got) to must need (to) should
had to
will have to, will, need to
must, have to, need to
had to, needed to
will have to, will need to
must not cannot, may not should not
could not
should (not) have
example
She can speak Spanish but she can't speak Italian.
Despite his handicap he is able to drive a car.
Mozart could play the piano at the age of five.
Mike's car broke down but he was able to repair it.
There may be life on Mars.
The rash could be a symptom of something
more serious.
She might have done it; she had the opportunity and the motive.
We'll be able to travel to the moon but we won't be able to travel to Mars.
The doctor could see you at six; he can't see you before then as he's too busy.
'Can I use your phone?' 'No, I'm afraid you can't
I was allowed to leave early yesterday.
Students have (got) to wear school uniform here,
I must get up earlier.
Do we need to get a visa for the USA?
You should respect your neighbours.
We had to report to reception by four.
We'll have to/'II need to get our visas sorted out)
All human beings must/have to/need to have enough sleep.
Cave dwellers had to/needed to hunt in order to survive.
You'll have to I'II need to work harder than that.
You mustn't touch that kettle!
Guests can'tlmay not use the pool after H p.m.
You shouldn't speak to me like that!
We couldn't go because we were too young.
You shouldn't have driven through that red light.
present
absence of obligation
or necessity past
future
advice/
recommendation
logical deduction
probability
certainty
! routines
habits
characteristics
I willingness/ ; refusal
present/ future
present/ future
past
present/ future
past
present past
present past
present past
present past
present past
other functions present/ future
do not have to, do not need to
did not have to, did not need to, need not have
will not have to, will not need to
must should had better
must, have to cannot
must have cannot have
should
should have
will
will have
will would
will would
will would
You don't have to/don't need to pay to visit most museums in Britain.
You didn't have to/didn't need to finish the job. We needn't have taken sweaters as it was so warm there.
You won't have to/won't need to ask the
doctor to sign this form.
You really must read 'Birdsong'! You should consider a private pension. You'd better change the locks straight away.
This must/has to be the place. This amount can't be correct
That noise must have been an explosion. She can't have done it - she wasn't even here.
The plane should be landing now.
What's happened to the boys? They should have arrived hours ago.
It won't be warm at this time of year. They'll have received the invitations by now.
He'll come in and he'll start giving instructions. He'd come in and he'd start giving instructions.
The public will always side with the nurses. Dad would always tell me how to run my life.
The stadium will hold about 110,000 people. The car wouldn't start on cold mornings.
will, won't The doctor will act as a witness,
would, wouldn't The shop wouldn't change this jumper.
will, shall I'll wash up this evening.
Shall I wash up this evening?
shall Shall we go out for a curry?
will Will you give me a call?
would Would you fill in this form, please?
will, shall You will/shall all stay after school tonight.
I hypothetical ; desires
present/ future
past
would it would be nice to live by the sea.
would have        It would have been a good idea to notify us in advance.