MODALS

COULD AND MAY We can also use could and may to talk

about general permission in the past.

However, we cannot use could or may to talk about permission for a __________ action in the past.

particularInstead, we use the correct form of:

BE ALLOWED TO

When I was 10, I could play computer games when I wanted to.

Yesterday night, I was allowed to go to the disco.

MODALS OF POSSIBILITY To talk about present or future possibility,

we use: may, might and could, can.

I might study architecture. (weak probability)

I may pass math’s exam. He could go to handball match. (weak

probability)

The most common modal verb of possibility is

MIGHT

We can substitute may, might and could for:MaybePerhapsProbably(not modal verbs)

MODALS of ADVICE To give advice and make

recommendations, we use:SHOULDOUGHT TO

Which one of them is less common in speech?

ought to

HAD BETTER

You’d better not be late, or I’ll be furious!

MODALS of NECESSITY The verb need (without to) is only used in

negative and interrogative sentences.

Also, we can use don’t have to / doesn’t have to / didn’t have to for the same purpose.

In the affirmative, we use __________ to express necessity.

NEED TO

You needn’t do the exercises, they are not obligatory.

You need to do the exercises, they are obligatory.

MODALS of OBLIGATION To talk about obligation, we use the

modal:MUST

Or the semi modal:HAVE TO

I must do my homework every day if I want to pass this course and go to university.

Everyone has to wear uniform at state schools in UK.

PERSONAL OR GENERAL OBLIGATIONS?

MUST HAVE TOPersonal obligations general

obligations

THE PAST OF MUST...

... IS ...

HAD.

MODAL of PROHIBITION To express that we are not allowed to do

or to say something, we use:

MUST NOTMUSTN’T

Smoking is not allowed here.

You mustn’t smoke here.

MODALS of CERTAINTY When we believe or guess that something

is impossible, we use:CAN’T

I can’t sing that song for I haven’t heard it before.

When we make logical deductions that are possible, we use:

MUSTShe must be at home by now, it’s 10 pm.

MODALS + PERFECT INFINITIVES

PAST SITUATIONS Can’t +have + past participle

We use it to express:an impossibility in the past.

I can’t have made a good impression for he hasn’t phoned me yet.

COULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Used to suggest an ___________ past action, even though it is now too late.

alternative

You could have told me about that! I wouldn’t have asked you about that in public.

COULD/MAY/MIGHT + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we talk about something that was _________ in the past.possible

He might/may/could have phoned, but we don’t know because we were in the garden.

MUST + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLETo express a certainty or to make a logical

deduction about the past.

She must have known that I liked him!

SHOULD / OUGHT TO + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

To give an ________ about the past events, even though it is too late.

I was anxious – he should have called me.

SHOULDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLETo express:

regretor criticism

You shouldn’t have lied to me!

NEEDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Lack of necessity or obligation.

I needn’t have made so many pancakes, nobody’s hungry now.

THANK YOU!