Modal verbs

Can\could

 Physical ability (present, past)

I can run faster than my brother. I could dance well when I was 5.
 Asking permission ( could more polite)
Can I go swimming? Could I take a look at this report?
 Offers, suggestions
Can\could I get you anything from the supermarket?
What shall we do tonight? We can\could go to the cinema.
 Request
Could\can you help me with this task?
 Negative logical assumption (can’t)
They can’t be strangers (I’m sure they are not strangers)
 Could+Present infinitive (it is possible)
Where is Tom? – He could be stuck in traffic
 Could+Perfect infinitive ( was possible but happen)
The driver could have been killed (Luckily, he wasn’t)

Could vs was\were able to

 Could – repeated ability in the past (He could run very fast when he was
young)
 Was\were able to – single ability in particular situation (The test was
difficult but I was able to pass it – managed to do)

Must

 Obligation
You must stop when the traffic light is red (you are obliged to do)
 Prohibition (mustn’t = can’t)
You mustn’t smoke here!
 Strong advice
You must behave well at school.
 Positive logical assumption
She must be at work (I’m sure she is at work)
Must vs Have to
 Must – present; have to – other tenses
  Must – it’s necessary to do smth ( I must find the hotel – speaker decides for
himself)
 Have to – it’s necessary to do smth ( I have to wear a uniform at work –
somebody has made this decision)
Have got to (colloquial speech) = have to

Need\needn’t\don’t have to
 Need – it’s necessary to do smth
 Needn’t - it’s not necessary to do smth = don’t need to\doesn’t have to
The farmer needn’t\doesn’t need to\doesn’t have to buy any eggs (He has a
lot of eggs)

Didn’t need to\needn’t have done

Didn’t need to + infinitive = it wasn’t necessary and it wasn’t done

Needn’t have + past participle = it wasn’t necessary but it was done

You needn’t have bought me a gift

May\might

 May\might\could + present = it is possible\perhaps

Where is Ann? – She might\may\could be at work
 May\might\could + perfect infinitive
1. Was possibly true = The lights are still on. Helen may\might\could
have forgotten to switch off.
2. Was possible but happen; ! may is not used here = You might\could
have been killed.
 May\might\can\could I …? – permission, request
May\Might I ask you another question? – Permission
May\can|could I have another pen and a piece of paper? Might is more formal
 May\can = you are allowed to do smth ! might could
You can sit here if you like!
 Can’t\may not = refusing permission ! couldn’t
Students may not wear outdoor shoes on the basketball court.
Shall
 Shall\can\could I? = Would you like me to do? = offer
Shall\can\could I bring you something sweet from the supermarket?
 Shall\can\could we? = why don’t we? What about? Let’s… = suggestion
Shall\can\could we go to the supermarket tonight?
 Suggestions\instructions
Where shall we go tonight?
Will\would
 Ask somebody to do something for us
Will\would\can\could you…? Would is more polite
Can\Will you hold this plate for me, please?

Should\Ought to

 Should\ought to = advice
You should\ ought to be more careful! ! I should
 Should\ought to + perfect infinitive=it would be better if you had = criticism
You all should\ought to have tried harder. (but you didn’t)
 Obligation
Advice (обязательство) Prohibition
(совет)  Must (present tense) (запрет)
 Must (strong)  Have to (all other tenses)\ have got to  Mustn’t
 Should - colloquial  Can’t
\

Necessity
(необходимость)
 Need to
 Needn’t (don’t\doesn’t need to)
(Lack of necessity)

Ability
(physical) (возможность)
 Can (present)
 Could (past)
 To be able to (single
action )
Permission \request
(запрос\разрешение)

 Can\Could (more polite)

 May\might\could

Possibility
(возможность=вероятность)
 May
 Might
 Could

Offer
(предложение)
 Shall\Can\Could I..?
(you offer your help)
 Shall\can\could we…?
(You offer to do something = why don’t
we..?