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Modal Verbs: Can/could

The document discusses various modal verbs in English and their meanings and uses, including verbs expressing ability (can, could), permission (can, could, may), obligation (must, have to), prohibition (mustn't, can't), necessity (need to, needn't), possibility (may, might, could) and offers or suggestions (shall, will, would). It compares the uses of could and was/were able to, must and have to, and didn't need to/needn't have. Finally, it outlines the meanings and uses of other modal verbs like may, might, shall, will, should, and ought to.

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Yana Dotsenko
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43 views4 pages

Modal Verbs: Can/could

The document discusses various modal verbs in English and their meanings and uses, including verbs expressing ability (can, could), permission (can, could, may), obligation (must, have to), prohibition (mustn't, can't), necessity (need to, needn't), possibility (may, might, could) and offers or suggestions (shall, will, would). It compares the uses of could and was/were able to, must and have to, and didn't need to/needn't have. Finally, it outlines the meanings and uses of other modal verbs like may, might, shall, will, should, and ought to.

Uploaded by

Yana Dotsenko
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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..?

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