Modals are like chameleons
Can , could , be able to
CAN + infinitive : can do , can see etc
CAN = ability : I can play the piano
CAN = permission : Can I leave early?
CAN has only 2 forms - present and past
BE ABLE TO is for the other forms : I’ll be able to see you later
COULD is the past of CAN
COULD is used for general ability : I could play the piano when I
was 4.
WAS ABLE TO / MANAGED for 1 particular occasion :
They were able / managed to escape
↗ is also used for possible actions now or in the future :
We could see a film or go to a restaurant
COULD → used for situations you don’t mean : I’m so angry I could kill him !
↘ for possibility : The phone is ringing. It could be Tim
COULD HAVE + past participle is the past = possible but did not happen:
I could have won if I had tried harder
You could have broken your leg↗ possible it did happen
↘ it didn’t happen
Tu t’es peut-être cassé la jambe
Tu aurais pu casser la jambe
⚠
A person went skiing hors piste and had an accident.
His friends found him and said:
“Keep still. You may / might / could have broken a leg
“.
= possible that something happened in the past.
“Why did you go hors piste ? You might / could have broken your leg
or worse, been killed.( if you had been unlucky = conditional)
= it was possible in the past but didn’t happen
⚠
Don’t use ‘may’ in this case
MUST , HAVE TO
Must = have to = obligation
Must = personal feelings: You must do something I must phone her tonight
= order from a superior (boss, parent)
Have to = impersonal We have to pay taxes He has to work tomorrow
Past = had to
Mustn’t = don’t do it
MAY, MIGHT
MAY / MIGHT : possibility (future/ present) : It may be true. I might go
When used together might is less likely than may : It may rain , it might even snow.
COULD = MAY = MIGHT : It could / may / might be Tim.
Past negative : It may not be true I might not go
May / might = possible actions in the future = perhaps :
I may go to Italy next summer / We may have to wait
Might / May / Could + have + past participle
You could / may / might have left it at home = possible.
He didn’t wave because he may not / might not have seen you = possible.
⚠
BUT not could not have = impossible.
He couldn’t have seen you because he was in Berlin
Will / Would for
certainty
WILL : future certainty
I’ll be on holiday next week
Guessing about the present
(phone rings) That’ll be John. He said he’d phone around now.
In the past
It won’t / wouldn’t HAVE been Peter you saw last night- he’s in Australia
You saw a girl with blue hair. That will/would HAVE been Fifi
MUST , CAN’T :
deduction
MUST = I’m sure it’s true : You must be tired after all that travelling
CAN’T = I’m sure it’s not true : You can’t still be hungry! You’ve just had
lunch.
MUST HAVE / CAN’T / COULDN’T HAVE + past participle = past
He looks unhappy so I suppose he must HAVE failed.
You can’t HAVE spent all that money in just one afternoon !
You couldn’t HAVE seen him, he’s gone abroad
Gabriel writes to Emily every day. He must love her. (I suppose,
by deduction)
Emily never writes back. She can’t love him. (I suppose, by
deduction)
She might /may not have received his letters (possible)
She might/may/could prefer Marcello, I suppose (possible)
NEEDN’t (opposite of must)
Don’t have to = don’t need to = needn’t = not necessary / not an obligation
You don’t need to / have to book the restaurant, I’ve already done it (not necessary)
You don’t have to wear a tie here (no obligation / a choice)
I didn’t need to water the plants because it rained ( so I didn’t )
I needn’t have watered the plants because it rained later (I did but it wasn’t necessary )
SHOULD
Should = good idea or advice / opinion
You should stop smoking
I should wait if I were you
Should = not right She should be here by now so where is she
Should = expected to happen She should pass the exam easily
She should have landed by now
Should have done = you didn’t do it but it would have been better if you had done it
Should = ought to (except giving advice with “I” )
Expectation
The plane should / ought to have landed by now
The builders should / ought to have finished by next week
Responsibility / duty
I should / ought to get on with my work
People should / ought to be warned of the dangers of drinking too much
Obligation
Advice / recommendations
This item is faulty. You should / ought to take it back ( ! You’d better
take it back ! )
You’re coughing a lot. You should / ought to stop smoking ( You’d better
see the doctor ! )
/!\ for outside authorities and advice with I use “should”
Revenues should be declared by the end of March
I should ( or would ) leave early, if I were you
Obligation in the past
Should / ought to + have + past participle
We should / ought to have taken a taxi rather than the underground (regret)
You should / ought to have asked me before taking my bike (annoyance)
SHOULD / OUGHT TO
Should HAVE done = you didn’t do it but it would have been better
if you had done it
You should HAVE sent him a card , it was his birthday yesterday
You ought to HAVE worn a pullover ; now you have a cold
I shouldn’t HAVE drunk so much
Should ( part 2 )
Had better = should = ought to to say what is advisable / sensible
If you’re not feeling well, you’d better stay at home
Don’t use “had better” with past or general comments:
• You ought to / should have caught the earlier train
• Children should / ought to use their phones less
« Supposed to » = obligation to do something.
It is used in spoken English
I’m supposed to hand the work in tomorrow
I was supposed to finish the work last week.
Obligation alternative ( less strong
obligation )
I’m supposed to be there at 10
The work was supposed to be handed in last week
General opinion
Too much sugar is supposed to be bad for you
