Modal verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

You ... listen to the teacher

1. must
2. can
3. might
4. should

What is the difference?

can           could        may      might     will     

would     must       should     ought to

What does the following word mean: permission?

What does the following word mean:
probability?

What does the following word mean:
ability

What does the following word mean:
obligation?

What does the following word mean:
advice?

What does the following word mean:
habit?

can

must

have to

need to

could

may

might

will

would

should

ought to

Permission

Ability

Probability

Obligation and advice

Habits

Probability

must / might / could / may / can't

I am waiting for Julie with another friend, David.

I ask: 'Where is Julie?'

David guesses:

• She must be on the bus. (I'm fairly sure this is a good guess)
• She might come soon. (maybe)
• She could be lost. (maybe)
• She may be in the wrong room. (maybe)
• She can't be at home. (I'm fairly sure this isn't true)

Notice that the opposite of 'must' is 'can't in this case.

Ability

Present - can/can't

• I can play the piano.
  
  

Past: - could / couldn't  or was able to / couldn't

• I could read when I was four. -> general ability = once you've learned how to do it, you can do it as many  times as you want
• When the computer crashed yesterday, I was able to fix it.(not 'I could fix it') -> specific ability: you can or cannot do something in a specific situation

Future: will / won't be able to or can / can't

• At the end of the course, you will be able to make your own website ->  general ability = once you've learned how to do it, you can do it as many times as you want
• I can help you tomorrow -> specific ability: you can or cannot do something in a specific situation

Obligation and advice

Permission

We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

For example:

• Could I leave early today, please?
• You may not use the car tonight.
• Can we swim in the lake?

Habits

We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past.

For example:

• When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.
• John will always be late!

You ... be exhausted after your long trip. Come in and have a drink.

1. should
2. must
3. can
4. could

You ... apply for the job yet. You can do it later this week

1. don't have to
2. mustn't
3. can't
4. shouldn't

I ... have left my wallet in the car. I can't find it anywhere.

1. should
2. might
3. have to
4. must

Tell your sister she ... stay the night here if she wants to.

1. might
2. should
3. must
4. can

When I was younger, I ... run very fast.

1. should
2. must
3. could
4. can

Don't leave your window open at night. Someone ... climb in.

1. must
2. can
3. should
4. has to

Brenda ... be over thirty. She graduated a year after me and I'm only 26.

1. mustn't
2. can't
3. doesn't have to
4. shouldn't

That ... be Jake. It's impossible. He said he was going to Spain.

1. mustn't
2. doesn't have to
3. shouldn't
4. can't