Can
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
Examples:
- I can ride a horse. ability
- We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
- She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
- Can you hand me the stapler? request
- Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
- I can ride a horse. ability
- We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
- She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
- Can you hand me the stapler? request
- Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| can general ability | 1. I can speak Chinese.2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course. | 1. I can't speak Swahili.2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili. | be able to |
| can ability during a specific event | 1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars.2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car. | 1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy.2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, wasn't able to lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car. | be able to |
| can opportunity | 1. I have some free time. I can help her now.2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time. 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then. | 1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now.2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time. 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then. | be able to |
| can permission | 1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town.2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. | 1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town.2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. | may |
| can request | Can I have a glass of water?Can you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. | Can't I have a glass of water?Can't you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. | could, may |
| can possibility, impossibility | Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people.Learning a language can be a real challenge. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition. | It can't cost more than a dollar or two.You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition. | could |
Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used inconditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
Examples:
- Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
- Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
- You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
- Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
- We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| could possibility | 1. John could be the one who stole the money.2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 3. John could go to jail for stealing the money. | 1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money. 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime. | might, may |
| could conditional of can | 1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world.2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world. 3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world. | 1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world. 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world. | |
| could suggestion | 1. NO PRESENT FORM2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii. 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. | NO NEGATIVE FORMS | |
| could past ability | I could run ten miles in my twenties.I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct | I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct | be able to |
| could polite request | Could I have something to drink?Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. | Couldn't he come with us?Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future. | can, may, might |
| REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not" "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens.
Examples:
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Had Better
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.
Examples:
- You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
- That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
- You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning
Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.
| Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| had better recommendation | 1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People should unplug toasters before they clean them.2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it. 3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it. | 1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first.2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first. 3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it. | should, ought to |
| had better desperate hope, warning | The movie had better end soon.They had better be here before we start dinner. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future. | They had better not be late.They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future. |
| "Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English. |
Have To
"Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.
Examples:
- This answer has to be correct. certainty
- The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. necessity
- They have to leave early. obligation
Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future
"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.
| Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| have to certainty | 1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.2. That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street. 3. NONE | 1. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair.2. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere. 3. NONE | must, have got to |
| have to necessity | 1. She has to read four books for this literature class.2. She had to finish the first book before the midterm. 3. She will have to finish the other books before the final exam. | 1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit.2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class. 3. She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course. | must |
| REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not" "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.
Examples:
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Have Got To
"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.
Examples:
- Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. necessity
- I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. obligation
Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have got to" behaves in different contexts.
| Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| have got to necessity | 1. People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the crowded theater.2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded theater. 3. You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater. | 1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" People don't have to be there on time to get a seat.2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You didn't have to be there on time to get a seat. 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You won't have to be there on time to get a seat. | have to, must |
| haven't got to future obligation | Haven't you got to be there by 7:00?Haven't you got to finish that project today? "Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations. It can be used in statements, but this is less common. | Don't you have to |
May
"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.
Examples:
- Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility
- Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission
- May I use your bathroom? request permission
Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| may possibility | 1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired.2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired. 3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth. | 1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired. 3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth | might |
| may give permission | 1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with your dinner.2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner. 3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner. | 1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with your dinner yet.2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner. 3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner. | can |
| may request permission | May I borrow your eraser?May I make a phone call? Requests usually refer to the near future. | NO NEGATIVE FORMS | can, might |
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
- Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
- If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
- You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
- Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| might possibility | 1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work. 3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride. | 1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home. 3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill. | could, may |
| might conditional of may | 1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won. 3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it. | 1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won. 3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win. | |
| might suggestion | 1. NO PRESENT FORM2. You might have tried the cheese cake. 3. You might try the cheesecake. | 1. NO PRESENT FORM2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON 3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific. | could |
| might request(British form) | Might I have something to drink?Might I borrow the stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. | NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON | could, may, can |
| REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
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Must
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
Examples:
- This must be the right address! certainty
- Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
- You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
- Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition
Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| must certainty | 1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street. 3. NO FUTURE FORM | 1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair.2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere. 3. NO FUTURE FORM | have to |
| must not prohibition | You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics. Prohibition usually refer to the near future. | ||
| must strong recommendation(Americans prefer the form "should.") | 1. You must take some time off and get some rest.2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest. | 1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver. | should |
| must necessity(Americans prefer the form "have to.") | 1. You must have a permit to enter the national park.2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park. 3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week. | 1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park.2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park. 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park. | have to |
| REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to" "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
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Ought To
"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."
Examples:
- You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
- Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves it.
- This stock ought to increase in value. probability
- Mark ought not drink so much. advice against something (notice there is no "to")
Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| ought to recommendation, advice | 1. Margaret ought to exercise more.2. Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the marathon. 3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight. | 1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause injury.2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape. 3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us. | should |
| ought to assumption, expectation, probability | 1. She ought to have the package by now.2. She ought to have received the package yesterday. 3. She ought to receive the package tonight. | "Ought not" is used primarily to express negative recommendations. (See above.) | should |
| Notice "Ought not" Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not."
Examples:
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Shall
"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.
Examples:
- Shall I help you? suggestion
- I shall never forget where I came from. promise
- He shall become our next king. predestination
- I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. inevitability
More Examples of "Shall"
| Modal Use | Positive Forms | Negative Forms | You can also use: |
| shall future action(British form) | I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office.I shall be there by 8:00. | I shall not be replaced after all.I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation. | will |
| shall suggestions | Shall we begin dinner?Shall we move into the living room? | should | |
| shall volunteering, promising(British form) | I shall take care of everything for you.I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry. | I shall never forget you.I shall never give up the fight for freedom. | will |
| shall inevitability(British form) | Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe.We shall overcome oppression. | Man shall never give up the exploration of the universe.He shall not be held back. |
Should
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
- When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
- You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
- I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
- By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation
Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.
| Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future | You can also use: |
| should recommendation, advisability | 1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods.2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack. 3. You really should start eating better. | 1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health.2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems. 3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house. | ought to |
| should obligation | I should be at work before 9:00.We should return the video before the video rental store closes. "Should" can also express something between recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to" expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the past or in negative forms. | NO NEGATIVE FORMS | be supposed to |
| should expectation | 1. Susan should be in New York by now. 2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to. 3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday. | 1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet.2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday. 3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week. | ought to, be supposed to |
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