MODAL VERBS
There are many functions of modal verbs: ability, probability, advice, request,
permission, prohibition, obligation, certainty and possibility. The following are
several numbers of modal verbs. ALL MODAL VERBS must be followed by a verb.
1. Ability
a. Can : - I can play a piano. (A general ability)
b. Could : - I could draw a horse perfectly when I was a kid. (An ability in
the past)
c. Be able to : - I’m sorry, I won’t be able to go to your party. (Future tense –
other phrase for can, but can be used in all tenses. While can is only able
to be used in present or (could) past only)
- I haven’t been able to finish my work. (Present Perfect)
- I was able to finish it on time before the teacher came in.
(Past tense)
2. Request/Permission
a. Can : Can I use the bathroom? (A request – to family or friends)
b. Could : Could I ask you a question? (A request, more polite than can)
c. May : May I come in? (A permission, also polite)
3. Obligation
a. Must : You must go. (An obligation)
b. Have to : You have to go. (An obligation)
From the examples above, they have the same meaning. An obligation.
See the following sentences to see the difference:
a. I’m sorry. I can’t come to the meeting tomorrow because I have to go to
the dentist at 3 o’clock.
b. I can’t come to the meeting tomorrow because I must go the dentist at
3 o’clock. (the situation is you really have a bad toothache which
means it is a personal obligation)
Must refers to an internal need or obligation while have to is used to
refer to an external need or obligation.
a. I have to see my mother. (external, probably because your mother
asks you to see her which means it’s an external obligation)
b. I must see my mother. (internal, your mother didn’t ask you to
come but you want to come to see her because she is sick which
means it’s an internal obligation)
4. Probability/Possibility/Certainty
a. May : You may be right. (Possibility, more often used)
b. Might : You might lose those earrings if you went to skydiving.
(Probability, less certain than may)
Both may and might can be used interchangeably, however, it is a
hypothetical statement, might is used.
c. Must : She must have worked night and day. (Certainty, the statement
is a deduction of something due to some reasons)
d. Should: Mary should be at home now. Give her ac call. (Probability, it
is not certain, but it is an unsure deduction)
5. Advice/Suggestion
a. Should: You should see a doctor. (A suggestion/advice, you might not
get any consequences)
b. Shouldn’t: You shouldn’t watch tv that close. (A suggestion as well)
c. Ought to: You ought to learn math. (A suggestion, same as should, but
not as often used as should)
d. Must : You must see a doctor. (A strong advice, if you don’t do it,
there might be consequences)
6. Prohibition
a. Don’t have to : You don’t have to pick me up. (It is unnecessary)
b. Mustn’t : You mustn’t wait here. It’s not allowed. (A strong
prohibition, it is necessary)
