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

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.

Positive Forms Negative Forms

You can also
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. =
use:
3. = Future Past 3. = Future

1. I can speak Chinese. 1. I can't speak

Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO
"COULD" 2. SHIFT TO
I could speak Chinese "COULD"
can when I was a kid. I couldn't speak
be able to
general ability Swahili.
3. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO" 3. SHIFT TO "BE
I will be able to speak ABLE TO"
Chinese by the time I I won't be able to
finish my course. speak Swahili.

can 1. With a burst of 1. Even with a burst of be able to

ability during adrenaline, people can adrenaline, people
a specific pick up cars. can't pick up
event something that heavy.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
 ABLE TO" 2. SHIFT TO "BE
With a sudden burst of ABLE TO"
adrenaline, he was able Even the weight lifter,
to lift the car off the couldn't lift the car off
child's leg. the child's leg.

3. SHIFT TO "BE 3. SHIFT TO "BE

ABLE TO" ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst of Even three men
adrenaline, he will be working together won't
able to lift the car. be able to lift the car.

1. I have some free 1. I don't have any

time. I can help her time. I can't help her
now. now.

2. SHIFT TO "BE 2. SHIFT TO "BE

ABLE TO" ABLE TO"
can
I had some free time I didn't have time be able to
opportunity
yesterday. I was able to yesterday. I wasn't able
help her at that time. to help her at that time.

3. I'll have some free 3. I won't have any

time tomorrow. I can time later. I can't help
help her then. her then.

1. I can drive Susan's 1. I can't drive Susan's

car when she is out of car when she is out of
town. town.

2. SHIFT TO "BE 2. SHIFT TO "BE

ALLOWED TO " ALLOWED TO "
can I was allowed to drive I wasn't allowed to
may
permission Susan's car while she drive Susan's car while
was out of town last she was out of town
week. last week.

3. I can drive Susan's 3. I can't drive Susan's

car while she is out of car while she is out of
town next week. town next week.

can Can I have a glass of Can't I have a glass of could, may

request water? water?
 Can you give me a lift Can't you give me a lift
to school? to school?

Requests usually refer Requests usually refer

to the near future. to the near future.

Anyone can become It can't cost more than

rich and famous if they a dollar or two.
know the right people.
You can't be 45! I
can
Learning a language thought you were
possibility, could
can be a real challenge. about 18 years old.
impossibility
This use is usually a This use is usually a
generalization or a generalization or a
supposition. supposition.

Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and
requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional 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.
 Positive Forms Negative Forms
You can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
also use:
Future Future

1. John could be the one who 1. Mary couldn't be the one

stole the money. who stole the money.

could 2. John could have been the 2. Mary couldn't have been might,
possibility one who stole the money. the one who stole the money. may

3. John could go to jail for 3. Mary couldn't possibly go

stealing the money. to jail for the crime.

1. Even if I had more time, I

1. If I had more time, I could
couldn't travel around the
travel around the world.
world.
could 2. If I had had more time, I
2. Even if I had had more
conditional could have traveled around
time, I couldn't have traveled
the world.
around the world.
of can
3. If I had more time this
3. Even if I had more time
winter, I could travel around
this winter, I couldn't travel
the world.
around the world.

1. NO PRESENT FORM

2. You could have spent

could
your vacation in Hawaii. NO NEGATIVE FORMS
suggestion
3. You could spend your
vacation in Hawaii.

could I could run ten miles in my I couldn't run more than a be able
past ability twenties. mile in my twenties. to

I could speak Chinese when I couldn't speak Swahili.

I was a kid.
"Could" can be used in
"Could" cannot be used in negative sentences in which
positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or
you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
one-time ability.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift the
 Yesterday, I could lift the
couch by myself. Not couch by myself. Correct
Correct

Could I have something to Couldn't he come with us?

drink?
could Couldn't you help me with can,
polite Could I borrow your stapler? this for just a second? may,
request might
Requests usually refer to the Requests usually refer to the
near future. near future.

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:

 Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.

 Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

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.
 You
Positive Forms Negative Forms
can
Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
also
Future Future
use:

1. SHIFT TO "MUST"
1. That has to be Jerry. They
That must not be Jerry. They said
said he was tall with bright
he has blond hair, not red hair.
red hair.
2. SHIFT TO "MUST" must,
have to 2. That has to have been the
That must not have been the right have
certainty right restaurant. There were
restaurant. I guess there was got to
no other restaurants on the
another one around there
street.
somewhere.
3. NONE
3. NONE

1. She doesn't have to read

"Grapes of Wrath." It's optional
1. She has to read four books reading for extra credit.
for this literature class.
2. She didn't have to write a
have to 2. She had to finish the first critique of "The Scarlet Letter."
necessit book before the midterm. She had to give a presentation to must
y her class.
3. She will have to finish the
other books before the final 3. She won't have to take any
exam. other literature classes. American
Literature 101 is the only required
course.

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:

 You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.

 You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.
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.

Positive Forms Negative Forms

You can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
also use:
3. = Future Future

1. That must be Jerry. 1. That must not be Jerry.

They said he was tall He is supposed to have red
with bright red hair. hair.

must 2. That must have been 2. That must not have been
have to
certainty the right restaurant. There the right restaurant. I guess
are no other restaurants there is another one around
on this street. here somewhere.

3. NO FUTURE FORM 3. NO FUTURE FORM

must not You must not swim in that

prohibition 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.

1. You must take some

time off and get some 1. You mustn't drink so
rest. much. It's not good for your
health.
must
2. SHIFT TO
strong
"SHOULD" 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
recommendatio
You should have taken You shouldn't have drunk
n
some time off last week so much. That caused the should
(Americans
to get some rest. accident.
prefer
the form
3. SHIFT TO 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
"should.")
"SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the
You should take some party. You are going to be
time off next week to get the designated driver.
some rest.

1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"

1. You must have a We don't have to get a
permit to enter the permit to enter the national
national park. park.
must
necessity 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
(Americans TO" We didn't have to get a
have to
prefer We had to have a permit permit to enter the national
the form to enter the park. park.
"have to.")
3. We must get a permit 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
to enter the park next We won't have to get a
week. permit to enter the national
park.

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:
  You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.

 You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.

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.

Positive Forms Negative Forms

You can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3.
also use:
Future = Future

1. She might be on the bus. I 1. She might not be on the

think her car is having bus. She might be walking
problems. home.

2. She might have taken the 2. She might not have

might could,
bus. I'm not sure how she got taken the bus. She might
possibility may
to work. have walked home.

3. She might take the bus to 3. She might not take the
get home. I don't think Bill bus. She might get a ride
will be able to give her a ride. from Bill.
 1. If I entered the contest, I 1. Even if I entered the
might actually win. contest, I might not win.

2. If I had entered the contest, 2. Even if I had entered

might
I might actually have won. the contest, I might not
conditional
have won.
of may
3. If I entered the contest
tomorrow, I might actually 3. Even if I entered the
win. Unfortunately, I can't contest tomorrow, I might
enter it. not win.

1. NO PRESENT FORM
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM
2. You might have tried the
might UNCOMMON
cheese cake. could
suggestion
3. You might not want to
3. You might try the
eat the cheese cake. It's
cheesecake.
very calorific.

Might I have something to

drink?
might
could,
request NEGATIVE FORMS
Might I borrow the stapler? may,
(British UNCOMMON
can
form)
Requests usually refer to the
near future.

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:

 Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.

 Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

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.

Positive Forms Negative Forms

You can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. =
also use:
Future Past 3. = Future

1. Sarah shouldn't
smoke so much. It's
not good for her
1. People with high health.
cholesterol should eat low-fat
foods. 2. Sarah shouldn't
have smoked so
should 2. Frank should have eaten much. That's what
recommendation, low-fat foods. That might caused her health ought to
advisability have prevented his heart problems.
attack.
3. Sarah shouldn't
3. You really should start smoke when she
eating better. visits Martha next
week. Martha hates
when people smoke
in her house.

should I should be at work before NO NEGATIVE be

obligation 9:00. FORMS supposed
to
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.

1. Susan should be in New 1. Susan shouldn't

York by now. be in New York yet.

2. Susan should have arrived 2. Susan shouldn't

ought to,
in New York last week. Let's have arrived in New
should be
call her and see what she is up York until
expectation supposed
to. yesterday.
to
3. Susan should be in New 3. Susan shouldn't
York by next week. Her new arrive in New York
job starts on Monday. until next week.

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 Negative Forms You can

 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. 1. = Present 2. = Past 3.
also use:
= Future = Future

1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" 1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"

OR "OUGHT TO" OR "OUGHT TO"
People should unplug People shouldn't clean
toasters before they clean toasters without
them. unplugging them first.

2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD

had better HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO
should,
recommendatio HAVE" HAVE"
ought to
n You should have You shouldn't have
unplugged the toaster cleaned the toaster
before you tried to clean without unplugging it
it. first.

3. You had better unplug 3. You had better not

the toaster before you try clean the toaster until you
to clean it. unplug it.

The movie had better end They had better not be

soon. late.

had better They had better be here They had better not forget
desperate hope, before we start dinner. Tom's birthday gift.
warning
Desperate hopes and Desperate hopes and
warnings usually refer to warnings usually refer to
the near future. the near future.

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.

You
Positive Forms Negative Forms
can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
also
Future Future
use:

1. Jack may be upset. I can't

really tell if he is annoyed or 1. Jack may not be upset.
tired. Perhaps he is tired.

may 2. Jack may have been upset. 2. Jack may not have been
might
possibility I couldn't really tell if he was upset. Perhaps he was tired.
annoyed or tired.
3. Jack may not get upset,
3. Jack may get upset if you even if you tell him the truth
don't tell him the truth.

1. You may not leave the

1. You may leave the table
table. You're not finished with
now that you're finished with
your dinner yet.
your dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
2. SHIFT TO "BE
may ALLOWED TO"
ALLOWED TO"
give You were not allowed to leave can
You were allowed to leave
permission the table because you hadn't
the table after you finished
finished your dinner.
your dinner.
3. You may not leave the table
3. You may leave the table
until you are finished with
when you finish your dinner.
your dinner.

may May I borrow your eraser? NO NEGATIVE FORMS can,

request might
permission May I make a phone call?
 Requests usually refer to the
near future.

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"

You
can
Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms
also
use:

shall I shall not be replaced after

I shall be replaced by someone
future action all.
from the New York office. will
(British I shall not be there. I have
I shall be there by 8:00.
form) a previous obligation.

Shall we begin dinner?

shall
Shall we move into the living should
suggestions
room?

shall I shall take care of everything I shall never forget you. will
volunteering for you. I shall never give up the
,
I shall make the travel
promising
arrangements. There's no need fight for freedom.
(British
to worry.
form)

shall Man shall never give up

Man shall explore the distant
inevitability the exploration of the
regions of the universe.
(British universe.
We shall overcome oppression.
form) He shall not be held back.

Would
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past
form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past. For
more information on the grammar behind the modal verb "would," visit the following
tutorials: Conditional Tutorial, Future in the Past, and Would Always.

Examples:

 If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. conditional

 I knew that she would be very successful in her career. past of "will"
 When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach. repetition

Using "Would" in Present, Past, and Future

You
Positive Forms Negative Forms
can
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
also
Future Future
use:

1. If I were president, I would

1. If I were president, I
cut the cost of education.
would not raise taxes.
2. If I had been president, I
2. If I had been president, I
would would have cut the cost of
would not have raised taxes.
conditional education.
3. If I were president, I
3. If I were elected president
would not sign the tax
next year, I would cut the cost
increase next week.
of education.
would I said I would help you. I said I wouldn't help you.
past of He told me he would be here He told me he would not be
"will" before 8:00. here before 8:00.

When I was a kid, I would When I was a kid, I wouldn't

would
always go to the beach. go into the water by myself. used
repetition in
When he was young, he would When he got older, he would to
past
always do his homework. never do his homework.

1. I'm not really sure where Beverly is. She ___________________in the living room, or
perhaps she's in the backyard.

2. Doug the video we rented on his way to work. It was on the

table, but now it's gone.

3. You the air pressure in your tires. You don't want to get a flat
tire on your trip.

4. The computer isn't working. It during production.

5. The package tomorrow afternoon. It was sent by express

mail this morning.

6. You the tickets for the play in advance - they sell out quickly.
7. You can't mean that! You .

8. If Debbie hasn't come home yet, she for us in the coffee shop.

9. Mike decided not to join us for lunch. He at work to finish

the marketing report.

10. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I on a white sand beach

right now.

11. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I come to work this

week.

12. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I scuba diving lessons.

13. Margaret agreed to meet us at the entrance to the theater. She

for us when we get there.

14. It Sam who called and didn't leave a message on the answering
machine. He said he wanted to get together with us this weekend.

15. The machine on by flipping this switch.

16. She . That could have been why her eyes were so red and
swollen.

17. If she was crying, she very upset.

18. That painting by Picasso. It could be a forgery.

19. Your diving equipment regularly if you want to keep it

in good condition.

20. If I hadn't taken a taxi, I for you at the train station for
hours.
Modal Final Test
Multiple Choice Exercise
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your
answers.

1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He be exhausted after
such a long flight.

2. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra credit. But we

read it if we don't want to.

3. Susan hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly.

4. The television isn't working. It damaged during the move.

5. Kate: hold your breath for more than a minute?
Jack: No, I can't.

6. You be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful people I know

haven't got a penny to their name.

7. I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is wrong according to the

answer key. The answer in the book be wrong!

8. You do the job if you didn't speak Japanese fluently.

9. You worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you get the job, or
you don't. If you don't, just apply for another one. Eventually, you will find work.

10. You be kidding! That can't be true.

11. You leave the table once you have finished your meal and politely excused
yourself.

12. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It a fortune.

13. we move into the living room? It's more comfortable in there and there's a
beautiful view of the lake.

14. If I had gone white water rafting with my friends, I down the Colorado
River right now.

15. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had previously worked with Sam, I told

my boss that he take another look at his resume and reconsider him for the
position.

16. You take along some cash. The restaurant may not accept credit cards.

17. The machine on by flipping this switch.

18. I can't stand these people - I get out of here. I'm going to take off for awhile
while you get rid of them.

19. You forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict about
paying on time.

20. Do you always have to say the first thing that pops into your head. you think
once in a while before you speak?

21. Terry and Frank said they would come over right after work, so they be here by
6:00.

22. Yesterday, I cram all day for my French final. I didn't get to sleep until after
midnight.

23. We no longer suffer the injustice of oppression! Freedom shall be ours!

24. If I had gone to the University of Miami, I participated in their Spanish

immersion program.

25. The lamp be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.