ABILITY OBLIGATION POSSIBILITY CERTANTY

CAN- CAN´T + INF HAS TO / HAVE TO + INF MAY – MIGHT – COULD + BARE INF WILL + BARE INF

• To describe activity or lack of it He • To describe what is necessary, a rule, • To describe things that will possibly • When we are certain something will
can sing – He can’t sing or smthg we do because other happen happen in the future
• To describe what´s allowed or not people tell us to The next earthquake During the earthquake some older
You can look at the animals but you Baby birds have to learn how to fly may/might/could happen tomorrow buildings will collapse
cannot touch them (n) • May / might be is also possible
• With future meaning We have to wear a uniform (r) This may be my last race
Sorry, but I can’t come to the party Do we have to buy another pet? • We can add well to emphasized MUST + BARE INF
next week • The negative form doesn’t have to / You may well have the answer
• With verbs of perception don’t have to is used to describe • We can add well to show • When we are certain smthg is true,
What can you see? smthg unnecessary disappointment usually with be or when we suppose
I don’t have to go to work tomorrow We might as well start walking what a situation is
PAST ABILITY • Have / has got is more informal • May/ might not + inf to describe that I have never been in an earthquake.
• Could / couldn’t will possibly not happen in the future It must be really hard (certain)
We don’t kwon how fast he could run PAST OBLIGATION The next earthquake may/might not You have done a lot of work. You
• To describe what was allowed • Had to / didn’t have to happen for another 4 years must feel really tired
Women couldn’t work in 1982 They didn’t have to pay the bill
IN THE PAST IN THE PAST
WILL • May have / might have/ could have • Must have + past participle when we
• We can use it in informal language for possibly events in the past are certain smthg was true
to describe a rule Jack isn’t here. He might have missed You must have been really pleased
All student will wait outside the train (could not have is not with your mark
possible)
• Might haver/ could have to show
annoyance -CERTAINTY - STH IS IMPOSSIBLE
You might have told me the travel CAN'T + BARE INFINITIVE
was cancelled
• When we are shock (could and might • When we are certain something is
have) not true (usually with be) Or
He could have drowned impossible.
That can't be an earthquake! We
don't have earthquakes here!
• Can´t be/ couldn’t be when we are
certain that something is impossible
That cannot be Tom, he is in Russia
 IN THE PAST
• The same but with have + p.part
Her can´t have got my message

BE BOUND TO, BE SURE TO, BE CERTAIN

• When we need to describe a future

event, we are sure it will happen
Its cloudy outside so it’s bound to
rain

BE ABLE TO + INF MUST – MUSNT + INF CAN + BARE INFINITIVE

• Instead of can • Smthg we personally think is • To describe a possibility in general

Many animals are able to see in the necessary and important to do but not with future time
dark You must be more careful (personal During the earthquake, people can
• Can has only present and past forms opinion of speaker) suffer injures
but we use be able to for others We have to wear safety gloves (an
tenses + inf outside opinion) COULD
I haven’t been able to finish my • We use it when we think the action is
project against the rules • We use could to refer to past
We hope to be able to visit you next You mustn’t throw things (it is not possible situations
month allowed) (had to for past) In those days the ships could travel
IN THE PAST You don’t have to use a pen (it is no for weeks
• With was or were able to necessary) • When we want to point out a
• To emphasize an intention possible choice
I must lend you this book You could always phone her
• For formal questions • When we are sure about the answer
Must you go? It could only be the new Porshe
• We can add hardly when it’s
impossible
It could hardly be jane
 SHOULD/OUGHT TO HAD BETTER NEED TO DIFFERENT USES OTHER USES

• to say what we think is right • To say what we think • Need as a modal verb has no REQUEST CAN + BE + -ING
or correct, or is a good idea in someone should do. third person form. It is mainly • A request is a way of politely • When you wonder what is
your opinion. There is only one form had used in questions and asking someone to do happening
(This is not as strong as must) better /'d better. negatives, and is more something. Who can be knocking on the
You should pay more The negative is had better formal in use. Can/Could you help me with door this time?
attention. not. Need I say more! this? COULD
You shouldn't talk so much. You'd better wear your He need not take the exam • Use to express surprise
• to give advice. raincoat. It's going to rain. How could you waste so
I think you should study You had better not wait • With the same meaning as ASKING PERMISSION much money
biology next year. too long. You’ll be late. have to. Need to is not a • We ask permission when we • To express how you feel
• In the same way. Ought to or modal verb. want to be allowed to do I’m so unhappy. I could cry
ought not to have the same BE TO You need to work harder. something. COULDN’T
meaning as should or should You don't need to come Can/Could/May I leave • Use to say it doesn’t matter
not • This is a formal way of tomorrow. early? at all
You shouldn’t wear that shirt saying must Do I need to bring my I couldn’t care less about it
You are to leave here at 8 dictionary? • To emphasized duration
SHOULD (NOT) HAVE MAKING OFFERS AND PROMISES I couldn’t be better
• We make an offer when we MIGHT
• To say that we think ask if someone wants us to do • Try as might/may
someone has done smthg something, or say that we will Try as I might, I couldn’t
wrong do it. reach the shelf (although I
You shouldn’t have put it so Shall I turn on the light tried I couldn’t)
much salt I will turn on the light. • Perhaps smthg
You ought not to have Thanks. I might just do that
written your name • Making an offer can also • To express annoyance
mean asking someone if they I might have known it was
want something. you
Would you like a glass of SHOULDN´T/NEEDNT HAVE
water? DONE
• Making a promise • To express thanks for gifts
I will be back in five minutes. You shouldn’t have brought
I won't do it again, I promise. me flowers
• For a threat NEED DOING
You will be sorry The bin need emptying