We Use Modal Verbs

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We use modal verbs to express:

ABILITY – CAPABILITY
PERMISSION
I can swim.
You can go to the cinema.
I could swim when I was five.
In the evenings we could watch TV.

SUGGESTION
POSSIBILITY
You could give Mary some flowers.
Measles can be quite dangerous.
Shall we buy her a hat?
This vase could be very valuable.

a REQUEST He may be waiting for us at the airport.

Can I go to the cinema tonight? John might come to your party.

Could you lend me £5, please? Would John come with us if we asked him?

May I leave the room?

Would you please close the door? SPECULATION

He may have gone to Spain with Mary.

DEDUCTION-ASSUMPTION Someone might have already told his father.

It couldn’t have been John because he’s What would I have done without you?
in London.
Where shall/will we be this time next year?
He drives a Ferrari. He must be rich.

OBLIGATION
PROHIBITION
You must / have to study harder!
You mustn’t eat any more chocolate.
I should be studying but I’m too tired.
You should never repeat what you have
just said.
ADVICE You
should go to the doctor’s tomorrow. .
NECESSITY
You must go to the doctor’s tomorrow!
We must buy some more vegetables. (emphatic advice)
Semi-modals (have to/need to) are Semi- modals and other forms are often
often preferred. NOT NECESSARY used. However, they sometimes change the
uses don’t have to or don’t need to/ level of intensity of the advice given.
needn’t
You ought to/had better/have to/ . . . . . .
We don’t need to buy any more
vegetables. (It isn’t necessary) If I were you I would go to the doctor’s.

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