MODAL VERBS

3rd ESO

CERTAINTY Must, Can’t

We are sure about something now.This MUST be Karen’s car

It CAN’T be Mark’s car, it’s blue (Mark’s is red)

PROBABILITY Should/Ought to

We think something is likely now or in thefuture,

but we are not sure.She SHOULD be at home now (I think it, but I’m

not sure)

POSSIBILITY May, Might, Could

Something is possible now or in the future.It MAY/MIGHT/COULD be hormone changes that

make teenagers sleepy.

ABILITY Can, Could

Ability and possibility.I CAN/AM ABLE TO play chess

Vikings COULD make metal arrowsWe WILL BE ABLE TO travel to Mars

OBLIGATION Must, Have to

Present obligation.I MUST finish my homework (personal

oblgation)I HAVE TO look after my brother (Obligation

from someone else)For past or future obligation we use HAVE TO.

I HAD TO look after my brotherI WILL HAVE TO look after my brother

(with adverbs of frequency we use HAVE TO)I always HAVE TO clean my own room.

OBLIGATION Mustn’t, Don’t have to

We use DON’T HAVE TO when there is no obligation.

You DON’T HAVE TO goWe use MUSTN’T when something is prohibited

You MUSTN’T talk during the exam

SUGGESTION or OFFER Shall

SHALL we buy something to eat?SHALL I make you some coffee?

PERFECT MODALS. COULD HAVE

COULD/MIGHT/MAY + HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLEPossibility of an action in the past. I COULD HAVE DANCED all night

PERFECT MODALS. MUST HAVE

MUST or CAN’T/COULDN’T + HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLECertainty of an action in the past

They COULDN’T HAVE GONE to the concert because theydidn’t have tickets

PERFECT MODALS. SHOULD HAVE

SHOULD/OUGHT TO + HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLETo give an opinion about an action in the past. She SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN to her boyfriend.

Must & Can’t CERTAINTY

Must & Can’t CERTAINTY

Should/ought to PROBABILITY

May & Might POSSIBILITY

Can ABILITY

Could ABILITY

Must OBLIGATION

Must

Have to OBLIGATION

Don’t have to

Have to

Shall OFFER