Lesson 9: modal verbs

Modal verbs are quite easy to learn and it is impossible to use the English language without knowing how to place them into the correct order.

The main modal verbs are: Would. Could. Should. May/might. Must. Have to.

Examples. Darren and Tony can see the beach for their house. (Ability).

Can you jump over the rainbow? (Question of ability).

Could/can I use the toilet please? (Could is used for asking permission and not only in the past tense).

Could/can you pass the salt please?

Could/can you tell me the way to the airport please?

They could visit the library when they are in town. (Making a suggestion).

That man over there could be perfect for the new film. (Suggestion & possibility).

They could go to the moon next year. (Future possibility).

Polite form to ask permission.

May we go to the theatre with you tonight? Answer: Yes you may or yes you can.

Shall I open the window to let in some fresh air? Answer: yes you may. * (Not, yes you shall).

May/might. (Possibility and permission).

If you return tomorrow you might learn more. (Possibility).

If you give that book back to the library they may let you borrow it again. (Strong possibility).

May I take you to dinner tonight? (Asking permission).

The staff may leave at three o´clock if they have finished all their work. (Permission).

Must.

We explain obligation or necessity with this strong verb:

You must go to the dentist as your tooth hurts so much.

We must wear safety belts while driving. (Obligation by law).

Usually, must is used where there is no other choice. It is used with the present simple and future tenses.

Children must go to school.

You must buy a ticket to get on a plane.

You must study harder if you want to succeed.

Have got to + infinitive are used in the same way.

We have to or, we have got to eat vegetables and fruit and drink water if we want to be healthy.

We must breathe air. We all must die at some time in the future.

To assume knowledge of a fact or given information in the present – use must.

To assume knowledge of a fact or information in the past- use must + have:

The streets are white; it must have snowed last night.

Present simple, today I must visit a friend in hospital.    

Past simple, yesterday I had to visit a friend in hospital.

Present continuous, I must like this job, I´ve been doing it for ten years...