can

could
may
might
must
ought to
They’re always used They never change (not:
shall before another verb add –s or –ed or –ing
should
will He can swim. He can run.
would
have to
need

They are allowed by a

They go immediately
verb in its infinitive form
before the subject in
without TO
question
You should get up earlier. (not:
should to get up) Could you wake me up?
You ought to get up earlier.

They are immediately

followed by not in the
negative
You should not (or shouldn’t) be late
for college.
You ought not to be late for college..
 Necessity Asking for and
Obligation
giving permission
need / needn’t
must and have to / Ability
mustn’t and don’t have to can, could, may
/ should can / be able to
(present and past, and
other tenses)

Making request
can, could, will, would

Deduction
PRESENT: certainty – must, can’t,
couldn’t; and possibility – might,
may, could / might not, may not
Making offers
PAST: certainty – must have,
can, could, shall
can’t, couldn’t have; and
possibility – might have, may
have, could have / might not
have, may not have

Making suggestion FUTURE: might (not), may (not)

and could (not certain about the
shall, could (how about, Giving orders and future)
what about, why don’t)
advice Expectations

must / had better / ought should (not)

to, should / could
 CAN - PRESENTE AM/IS/ARE ABLE COULD - PAST WAS/WERE ABLE
TO- PRESNET TO- PAST
Express ability:
She couldn’t swim. Express ability:
Could you swim when you were 5 I wasn’t able to swim.
Express ability:
Express ability: years old?
James can play chess, but he
I am able to swim. He was able to read when he
can’t ride a bicycle. We don’t use could to talk about was three but he couldn’t
He is not able to swim. one occasion in the past (but catch a ball when he started
Can is more usual.
couldn’t yes) school.
She was able to (could) come to
the meeting. If you want to say that
somebody did something in a
We use could especially with: specific situation, use
see, hear, smell, taste, feel, was/were able to or managed
remember and understand. to (not could).
For general ability

OTHER TENSES
Other tenses we use ‘be able to’:
I will be able to give you a lift on my way to college. (future)

They haven’t been able to contact Mary because of the storms. (present perfect)

If you saved enough money, you would be able to visit me in New Zealand. (conditional).
 CAN COULD MAY

Asking permission: Asking permission: Asking permission: Other expressions:

Can I leave my bag here? Could I borrow your car for a few May I sit here? Do you mind if I use your phone?
days?
 simple request which  a more formal request, Is it all right I Is it OK if I come in?
expects the answer yes  more polite or a request particularly to a stranger
Do you think you could take me to
which is less sure of the answer Asking permission: often used in the station?
being yes written notices to say what is or is
Usually answer with the not allowed
followings: You may borrow six books from the
We also use will and would to ask
Of course (you can). Usually answer with the library.
people to do things (but can/could
Certainly. followings: You may not keep any book for
are more usual):
OK. Of course (you could). longer than three weeks.
I’m afraid not. (=polite) Certainly. Helen, will you do me a favour?
No, you can’t. (not very polite) OK. Usually answer with the
I’m afraid not. (=polite) followings: Would you please be quiet? I'm
No, you can’t. (not very polite) Of course (you can). trying to concentrate.
Certainly.
OK.
I’m afraid not. (=polite)
No, you can’t. (not very polite)
 SHOULD SHOULD HAVE

When we expect something will happen, we use should (not)

+ infinitive without to:
Steve should write to us soon. (=I expect he will write…)
It shouldn’t be too long before we hear from Steven. (=I expect In the past:
it will not be too long…) He should have left Alice Springs several days ago. (=I expect
he left Alice Springs…)
We also use it when we discover that a situation is not as we
expected: He shouldn’t have had any trouble finding places to stay. (=I
expect he didn’t have any trouble…)
This letter is from Melbourne. Steven should be in Sydney. (=he
is in Melbourne but I am surprised because I expected him to
be in Sydney)
 STRONG LESS STRONG

MUST HAD BETTER OUGHT TO / SHOULD COULD

Give orders and advice:

You should / ought to start
Give orders and advice: looking for a job.
You had better start looking
Give orders and advice: for a job.  advice
You really must start looking
Give orders and advice:
for a job.  advice – otherwise you
You could start looking for a
may regret it Negative:
 order – I am telling you to job.
do this, or this is my opinion You shouldn’t / ought not to
wear those clothes for the  this is only a suggestion
which I feel very strongly
Negative: interview.
about
You had better not forget to
post that application form.
To talk about the past:
You should have / ought to
have accepted that job. (=it
was a good idea to accept but
you didn’t)

NOTE: we don’t use mustn’t or couldn’t.

We can use all these verbs to talk about the right
thing to do: I must try harder not to be late.
 CAN / COULD WILL SHALL

Make offer: Make offer:

Make offer:
I will lend you some money. Shall I / we clean the car for you?
Can I / we help you to cook the
dinner?

I can / I could lend you some money.

Other expression:
Why don’t I carry that bag for you?

To offer or to invite, we use Would you like... ?

Would you like a cup of coffee?
Would you like to eat with us tonight?
 CAN / COULD WILL / WOULD

Make request: Make request:

Can you pass me the bread? Will you get me some stamps from the post office?

Could you tell me where the station is?  to be more Would you lend me your camera?  to be more
polite polite

Usually answer with the followings: Usually answer with the followings:
Of course (I can / will). Of course (I can / will).
OK. OK.
I’m sorry I can’t. I’m sorry I can’t.

NOTE: We don’t use may here:

May you give me a lift?
Make suggestions:
We can use all the following expressions:

Shall I / we
Why don’t I / we go by bicycle today?
Let’s
How about
going by bicycle today?
What about
We could
(we are less sure of go by bicycle today.
what we are
suggesting)
 NEED – Q and - NEED - + NEED - PAST NEEDN’T HAVE

In question: In positive sentences: Past: It has a different meaning:

Need I come with you? (=Do I need to come. (not I need He needed to buy some He needn’t have bought any food. (=he bought
I need to come with you? come.) food. (it was necessary food but it wasn’t necessary)
because he didn’t have
Negative form:
any) Compare:
I needn’t come. (if I don’t
needn't (do) and needn't have (done):
want to) He didn’t need to buy any Everything will be OK. You needn't worry. (it is not
food. (=he didn’t but any necessary)
=I don’t need to come
food as it wasn’t Everything was OK. You needn't have worried.
(I don’t have to come.)
necessary) (you worried, but it was not necessary)
Remember:
don't need to do (doesn't Compare:
need to do) needn't have (done) and didn't need to (do):
needn't do (without to) He needn't have done something = he did it, but
now we know that it was not necessary.
He didn't need to get up early, so he didn't.

He didn't need to do something = it was not

necessary to do it. lt doesn't matter whether he
did it or not.
He didn't need to get up early, but it was a
beautiful morning, so he did.
 MUST HAVE TO MUSTN’T DON’T HAVE TO SHOULD

For obligation: For obligation: Means: don’t do it Means: it’s not When we are talking
I must go now or I’ll miss I have to go now or I’ll miss I mustn’t wear jeans at necessary to do it about the right thing to
the bus. the bus. work. (=it is wrong to do You don’t have to stay at do, we use should
this, it isn’t allowed) school until you’re 18. He should take more
Give your own opinion: Give your own opinion:
(=you are not obliged to care when he’s cycling.
I haven't spoken to Sue for I haven't spoken to Sue for You mustn't do but you can if you want) (=it’s a good idea but he
ages. I must phone her. ages. I have to phone her. something = it is doesn’t)
necessary that you do You don't have to do
Give orders or strong When there is a rule or
not do it (so don't do it): something = you don't To talk in the past:
advice: where the obligation does
You must keep this a need to do it (but you I should have told the
You must tell me not come from the speaker:
secret. You mustn't tell can if you want): truth. (=it was a good
everything. (I feel strongly You have to pay to park your
anyone. (= don't tell You don't have to tell idea but I didn’t)
about this) car here. (=this is a rule)
anyone) Tom what happened. I We shouldn’t have lent
To say what someone is I promised I would be on can tell him myself. her that money. (=it was
Must is used in written
obliged to do (not giving time. I mustn't be late. (= I don't have to be at the a bad idea but we still
rules and instructions:
his/her own opinion): I must be on time) meeting, but did)
Applications for the job
must be received by 18 I have to work from 8.30 to I think I'll go anyway.
May. (exam instruction) 5.30 every day.

We only use must in the In all other tenses we use

present tense: have to:
I must go now. (Present) I had to work every day.
(Past Simple)
I’ll have to work longer.
hours. (Future)
 CERTAINTY POSSIBILITY

True Not true True Not true

might not/may
must can’t / couldn’t might/may/could
PRESENT not
+ infinitive + infinitive +infinitive
+ infinitive

can’t might not

must have might have/may
have/couldn’t have/may not
PAST + V3 (past have/could have
have have
participle) + V3
+ V3 + V3
 CERTAINTY POSSIBILITY

TRUE NOT TRUE

might / may / could might not / may not
TRUE NOT TRUE
The letter might be from Dad’s
must can’t / couldn’t friend, Tony, because he moved to It might not be from anyone that
Australia recently. we know. (=it is possible that it is
It can’t be / couldn’t be from
not)
It must be from Steven because Steven because that’s not his (=I know Tony lives there and it is
he is in Australia. writing. possible, not certain, that the Note: could means the same as
letter is from him.) might and may, but couldn’t is
different from might not or may
Note: can – you cannot use here
not.
 CERTAINTY POSSIBILITY

NOT TRUE
might not have / may not
NOT TRUE TRUE
TRUE have
can’t have / couldn’t have might have / may have /
must have
could have He might have had time to do
He can’t / couldn’t have got there everything he wanted. (=it is
Steven must have arrived in Perth
yet because it will take at least He might / may / could have possible he didn’t)
by now. (=I am certain he has
two weeks. (=I am certain he stopped for a few days on the
arrived.) Note: could have means the same
hasn’t got there.) way. (=it is possible)
as might have and may have, but
couldn’t have is different from
might not have and may not
have.

All the verbs in the box above can also be followed by:
be + verb + -ing
Steven might be travelling home at this moment.