Modal verbs can / can’t Uses - Ability Examples - I can speak different languages - Possibility - I can come by bus - Inability / Impossibility - I can’t drive - Asking for permission - Can I go to the toilets please ? - Request could / couldn’t - Asking for permission - Can you help me? - Could I open the window? - Request - Could you repeat please ? - Suggestion - We could bring her some flowers - Ability in the past - He could run 10 km by the age of 15 be allowed to will - Future possibility - A civil War could break out in Libya - Conditional - I could come with you if I had more - Permission - Instant decisions time - You aren’t allowed to smoke here - It’s hot and sunny so I’ll go to work on foot would - Offer - I’ll cook the dinner for you - Promise - I’ll ring you tonight - Certain prediction - Asking for permission - I’m sure it’ll rain tomorrow - Would it be OK if I left work a bit earlier today? - Request - Would you fetch me that bottle please? - Making arrangements - Would six o’clock suit you ? - Invitations - Would you like to go for a walk tomorrow ? must - Conditional - If I were you, I would tell him the - Necessity / Obligation truth - She must leave now - Prohibition - You mustn’t enter this room - Certainty - This must be the right solution! have to - Strong - You must stay at home if you’re sick recommendation - Certainty - This has to be the correct solution - Necessity - She has to more exercise to lose weight ought to shall - Obligation - Children have to learn their - Recommendation vocabulary for the next class - You ought to stop smoking - Probability - She ought to have received my e- - Advice mail by now - Offer - Anna ought to sleep more - Shall I help you with your homework? 10 should - Suggestion - Shall we go out for dinner? - Promise - Recommendation - I shall never forget you - You should phone your grandparents more often - Advice - You should stop smocking - Expectation - By now, she should already have taken the exam - Mild obligation - I should be at home by 08.00 PM