MODAL VERBS

1. Definition of modal verbs

Modals, also called modal auxiliaries or helping verbs, are used in conjunction with the main verb
to express shades of time and mood. They change the meaning of a sentence. You should remember
that adverbs and contracted forms are not part of the verb.

Picture 1 Picture 2

2. Functions of Modal verbs

Modal auxiliaries convey messages relevant to the function(s) these modals convey. Functions are
diverse and numerous. To illustrate, one modal verb may serve two or more functions. Among these
functions, it is possible to talk about:

Necessity : It refers to the essential nature of an action, obligation, or requirement imposed by

circumstances or external factors. Modals of necessity equip us with the linguistic tools to navigate
these requirements with precision. To express necessity, use: must, have to. ‘Have to’ and ‘don’t
have to’ express necessity but with a slightly different shade compared to ‘must.’
- Engineer trainees have to attend the mandatory training session.
In the sentence above, the modal verb ‘Have to’ conveys a requirement for engineer trainees to attend
the training.
- We have to finish the project before the deadline.
In this context, ‘have to’ emphasizes the necessity of completing the project on time.

‘Must’ and ‘mustn’t’ are modals that convey a sense of strong necessity or prohibition. ‘Must’ is the most
forceful and serious.
- You must complete your assignments by tomorrow.

Note. Have to is used for general obligation and must for orders and
strong suggestions (from the person speaking).

Permission: It is important to look at the people when you are talking to them, then you have to ask
for permission with a polite voice. On the other hand, people have to give permissions with a logical
explanation and in a polite way. To ask for and give permission use: may, can, could I possibly,
might.
Note. To express permission in English, "may" is more formal and "can" is more friendly or informal.

Ability : It means being able to do something with your mind or body. Can is used to
express ability in the present tense. Could is used to express ability in the past tense.
- I could run faster when I was younger. (past).
- He can manufacture artificial organs for the disabled. (present)

Note. Can and could are also used to express possibility, requests and permission.

Advice : A piece of advice is a statement or an opinion that people give you about what you should or
should not do in a certain situation. To express advice, use: should, ought to, had better.
- You should stop cheating and start relying on yourself.
- You’d better save money for hard times.
Note. ‘Should,’ ‘ought to,’ ‘had better’ are always followed by an infinitive verb.

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Possibility: A possibility is when something might exist, happen, or be true but is not certain. To
express possibility, use : may, could, can, might.
- If the medical engineers work together, they may achieve outstanding results.

Request: It refers to the action of asking someone something politely. In English, there are many ways
to express a request. It also depends on the situation in which you are (formal and informal) and the
person with whom you are speaking. Note that when someone makes a request, s/he is not asking a
question, but s/he is asking you to do something. To express request, use : can, could, would.
A: Would you mind helping me design this material?
B: Certainly yes.

A past habit: Past habits are finished now, but they were actions you did repeatedly in the past. We
can use used to to talk about past habits, actions, or states of being.
- I used to live in New York. (this is a past state of being. I lived in New York over time, but I no
longer live there).

Obligation : It is about rules, duties, or orders. Obligation can also be about giving strong advice to
other people or to ourselves. To express obligation, use: must, should, have to.

Note. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning and are followed by the simple form of the
verb. The most common modal verbs in English are: can, could, will, would, shall, should, may,
might, must, and ought. As complementary verbs, modal verbs cannot function without other verbs.
The principal verb is always found after the modal verb. Modal verbs are not conjugated, but
some of them take the past form (can - could, will - would, may – might).

3. Modals : More meanings with examples

CAN
Meaning 1: Ability.
- This machine is too heavy. I can’t carry it by myself. (I’m unable to carry it by myself.)
- A : What languages can you speak?
B : I can speak three languages : Arabic, English and Spanish.
- Galaxies are so far away that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Meaning 2: Request.
Note 1. To make the request more polite, could is used with this meaning. (see Could with meaning 2
below)
Note 2. For this meaning, some grammarians recommend using may instead. (See Meaning 3 below.)
- Can we leave now?
- Can you speak a little louder, please?
Meaning 3: Asking for or giving permission.
Note.This use of can is common in informal, spoken language. In formal, written language,
use may instead. (see may, Meaning 1.)
- Can I come in? (Formal: May I come in?)
- Can I borrow your pen? (Formal: May I borrow your pen?)
- You can use my car, but please take good care of it.
- Can we leave now? (Formal: May we leave now?)
- You can go now. (Formal: You may go now.)
Meaning 4: Possibility.
- This medication can cause headaches and dizziness.
- Researchers cannot prove or disprove this hypothesis given what we know today.

Note. Be able to has a similar meaning to can (or could in the past). To have the necessary physical
strength, mental power, skill, time, money, or opportunity to do something.
- Will she be able to cope with the work?
- I'm not able to move my leg (= I can't move my leg).
However, can is mainly used to express capabilities or aptitudes acquired with time, while be
able to refers to temporary or precise abilities.
- He can’t swim, he has never learned how.

COULD
Could is the past tense of can; however, it can refer to time frames other than simply the past.
Meaning 1: Ability in the past (past tense of can, Meaning 1).
- I was so sick. I could not even get out of bed.
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 - By the time Collogan was 19, she could already speak five languages fluently.
Meaning 2: Request (more polite than can, Meaning 2).
- Could you close the door when you leave?
- Could you give me a hand with these exercises?
- Do you think you could arrive a little earlier tomorrow?
Meaning 3: Possibility.
- The candidate could have won the elections if more people had supported him.
- If successful, the study could answer several questions.
- I don’t think he’s coming anymore though he could just be stuck in traffic.
Meaning 4: Probability.
- Bring your umbrella. It could rain later.
- As astronomers develop new techniques, they could find life on an exoplanet1 any time now.

HAD BETTER
Meaning: Strong advisability.
- You’d better inject2 healthy cells into the weakened muscles.
- The president had better fix the economy if he has any hopes of being re-elected next year.
Note. Had better often emphasizes a negative consequence—for example, You’d better ask
permission first (otherwise, you may get in trouble.)

MAY
Meaning 1: Asking for or giving permission.
In informal, spoken language can is sometimes used (see can, meaning 3.)
- May I use your marker pen?
- You may start now.
- You may use your laptop to complete the test, but you may not use your browser to search
the internet.
Meaning 2: Probability (with some degree of uncertainty).
Note. Both may and might can express probability; however, might expresses a lower degree of
likelihood than may.
- It may rain tomorrow.
- Researchers may have proved this hypothesis, but they need to conduct more studies to be
certain.

MIGHT
Meaning 1: Asking for permission politely.
Note. This use of might is similar to may, Meaning 1, but it comes across as more formal and polite.
In each of the examples below, may can substitute might.
- Might I ask you a question?
- Might I suggest something?
Meaning 2: Probability (with low degree of certainty).
- It might snow when you are in Chicago. I would bring a warm jacket just in case.
- I might be late tomorrow. The rush hour traffic has been particularly bad lately.
Note. Both may and might can express probability; however, might expresses a lower degree of
likelihood than may.

MUST
Note 1. For the meaning of must not, see MUST NOT (MUSTN’T) below.
Note 2. For a lack of necessity or obligation, see NEED NOT further below.
Meaning 1: Strong obligation.
- When you drive through a school zone, you must be very attentive.
- Scientists must follow strict procedures to ensure that their experiments are ethical.
Meaning 2: Logical conclusion (expressing high degree of certainty).
- You have been working since early this morning. You must be tired.
- Traffic is at a standstill3 on the highway. There must have been an accident up ahead.
- All instruments sterilized by chemicals must be rinsed in sterile water before use in tissues.

1
Exoplanet : A planet outside the solar system.
2
Inject : Introduce (a liquid, especially a drug or vaccine) into the body with a syringe. Example : The doctor
injected a painkilling drug.
3
Standstill : A situation or condition in which there is no movement or activity at all.
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Meaning 3: A strong recommendation or advice (a figurative sense of “must” in informal
language).
- You must see this YouTube video! It’s interesting!
- We must leave now; otherwise, we’ll be late!

MUST NOT
The negative contraction, mustn’t, is pronounced /ˈmʌsənt/.
Meaning: Prohibition.
- You must not speak loudly in a hospital.
- Students must not enter the classroom after the exam has begun.

NEED
Need has a very similar meaning to obligation and can therefore be a more polite way of saying 'must'
or 'have to.' Need can be used as an ordinary verb and has the same forms as ordinary verbs. The third
person singular ends with an ‘s’, and questions and negatives are formed with do. As an ordinary verb,
need is normally followed by an infinitive ‘to’.
- He needs to see a doctor. Do you need to see one too? ~ No, I don't need to see a doctor.
But I need a good rest.
In this sense, when we are talking about necessity, we generally prefer need to/do not need to.
Meaning: Necessity.
- Need you speak so loudly? (modal)
- Do you need to speak so loudly? (non-modal)

NEED NOT
Need not is used as the negative of must when it expresses obligation or necessity. Need behaves as
a modal verb, like can, could, must should, etc. It has the same forms as modal auxiliary verbs: the
third person singular has no s, questions and negatives are made without do. In this format, need is
followed by an infinitive without to:
- You needn't bother to change the sheets.4 I'll sleep in them later.
- Need I lock the door when I leave? ~ No, you needn't. Sarah will be home soon.
In this sense, we are talking more about obligation and giving permission to someone not to do
something. Note also that as a modal verb it is most commonly used in negative sentences and
sometimes in questions.
Meaning: Lack of necessity.
- We need not worry about the patient. Everything will be alright. (modal)
- We do not need to worry about the patient. Everything will be alright. (non-modal)

SHALL
Shall is only used for future time reference with I and we, and is more formal than will. Shall is still
used to express certain modalities.
Meaning 1: Offering.
- Shall I get you something to eat?
- I have some free time. Shall I help you with your project?
Meaning 2: Obligation (formal).
- Students shall complete all their work on their own.
- All parties involved shall not interfere with the police investigations.
Meaning 3: Suggesting.
- Shall we go out to eat?
- Let’s not talk about this anymore, shall we?
- What shall we have for dinner?
Meaning 4: Promising (very formal).
- We shall perform out duties to the best of our abilities.
- We shall not be very long. (contracted form of shall not : shan’t)
Meaning 5: Future with certainty (very formal).
- The graduation ceremony shall take place in the main auditorium at 2 p.m.

SHOULD/OUGHT TO
Note. The modal verb “should” is the past tense form of “shall.” It takes different meanings.
Meaning 1: Advisability.
- You should/ought to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

4
Sheet : A cover for the mattress or a layer beneath blankets. (A bed sheet).
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 - You should/ought to have studied harder for the test. Now it is too late.
Meaning 2: Logical conclusion (expressing some degree of certainty).
- It’s almost 5. He should be home anytime soon.
- You studied hard. You should have no trouble passing the exam.
Meaning 3: Expectation.
- It’s almost 5. Their plane should be landing any minute now.
- Why hasn’t John arrived yet? He should have arrived 10 minutes ago.
Meaning 4: Disapproval.
- You should/ought to be ashamed of yourself.
- We should have left an hour ago. We’ll probably be very late.

USED TO
Meaning: A habitual action in the past that does not happen anymore. It tells us that there was a
repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.
- I used to play soccer every Saturday. (I do not do that anymore.)
- I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga, it really helps.

Be used to means 'be familiar with' or 'be accustomed to'.

Note. Be used to and get used to are followed by a noun, pronoun or the -ing form of a verb, and can
be used about the past, present or future.
- She's used to the city now and doesn't get lost any more.
- He wasn't used to walking so much and his legs hurt after the hike.
- I'm a teacher so I'm used to speaking in public.
We use get used to to talk about the process of becoming familiar with something.
- I'm finding this new job hard, but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.

WILL
The negative contraction, won’t is pronounced /woʊnt/.
Meaning 1: Certainty in the future.
- The exam will start at 9 sharp.
- The new bridge will open for traffic this Saturday. The mayor will make a speech during the
opening ceremony.
- Our physics teacher will not (won’t) retire until the end of next year.
Meaning 2: Making a prediction.
- This study will show whether there is a difference between these processes.
- We expect that the company will hire over 10 people this year.
- I won’t be at the meeting next week.
Meaning 3: Promising, showing willingness.
- Don’t worry. I’ll be there if you need help.
- You’ve had a long day. I’ll take over.
Meaning 4: Offering.
-I don’t have a pen.
-No problem. I’ll lend you one.
Meaning 5: Request.
Note. With this meaning, “would” can also be used and comes across as less direct—thus, more polite.
(See “would,” Meaning 4)
- Will you please shut the door when you leave?
- Help me with these boxes, will you.
Meaning 6: Decision.
- Stop asking me! I won’t change my mind.
- I’ll end the lecture here so you have time to ask questions.
Meaning 7: Habitual or repetitive action.
- Barbara’s daughter will spend hours at a time 5on the Internet.
Meaning 8: Ability.
- This printer won’t work.
- This paper won’t address all your questions, but it’s a good starting point.
Meaning 9: Emphasis.
— “Would you like anything else?”
— “No, thank you. That’ll be all.”
- I know I’m right about this. You’ll see!

5
At a time : During one particular moment.
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WOULD
Note 1. The modal verb would is the past tense of will, but it can take on different meanings.
Note 2. Particularly in informal, spoken language, would is contracted to ’d.
Meaning 1: Past form of “will.”
- The company’s CEO told the employees yesterday that the deadline would be extended.
(The company’s CEO said yesterday, “The deadline will be extended.”)
- Our supervisor said we would have the weekend off.
(Our supervisor said, “You will have the weekend off.”)
Meaning 2: Result or effect of a condition; hypothetical or imagined situations.
- If Jack had been chosen for the job, he would have finished by now.
- He would seem to have accepted the situation, but I may be wrong.
Meaning 3: Habitual or repetitive action or state in the past.
- When I lived in Germany, I’d take short train trips every Saturday.
Meaning 4: Polite request.
Note. This is less direct than “will,” Meaning 5.
- Would you please shut the door when you leave?
- Help me with these boxes, would you?
Meaning 5: Disapproval.
- How would you even think about it?
- He would look the other way! He benefits from ignoring the problem.
Meaning 6: Advice.
Note 1. This informal usage depends highly on the context.
Note 2. With this meaning, “if I were you ” is often implied in the statement.
- I wouldn’t say anything. It’ll only upset everyone. (If I were you, I wouldn’t say anything…)
- It would seem wise to follow your supervisor’s instructions.

WOULD RATHER
Meaning: Preference
Would rather (or ‘d rather) refers to a personal reference, like saying what you prefer over another
thing. (I would rather = I prefer)
Note 1. In informal, spoken language, would rather is generally contracted to ’d rather
- Some people would rather stay home than travel during the holidays.
Note 2. When the subject of the two clauses is different, the past simple is used to talk about the
present or future whereas the past perfect is used to talk about the past.
- Most people would rather send a text message than telephone someone.
- I’d rather you hadn’t called me so late at night.

DARE
The term 'dare' is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses the ability/courage or willingness to do
something, often in the context of challenging or provoking action. Dare can also be used in two ways:
1. As an ordinary verb followed by an infinitive with to, with s in the third person singular and with
questions and negatives formed with do
- He never dares to criticise her for wasting money and she doesn't dare to interrupt him when he's
working.
2. As a modal auxiliary verb followed by an infinitive without to, with no third person singular s and
with questions and negatives without do:
- Dare she tell him what she thinks about him? She daren't say anything. He will only shout at her.
"How dare you speak to me like that?" he will say.

Differences in use are not as fixed between doesn't dare to and daren't as they are
between doesn't need to and needn't, except in expressions or collocations such as:
- How dare you? > How dare you walk away when I'm talking to you?
- I dare you to… I dare you to go up to him and ask him for a date.
- I dare say… > I dare say you're pretty hungry after all that cycling. (in this example, I dare
say means I suppose).

Occasionally, you will find mixed modal/ordinary verb structures, such as:
- He didn't dare complain about the quality of the food.
- Don't you dare! > Don't you dare throw that snowball at me!

Note. Dare, like other modals, is never used in progressive form and need is not often used in
progressive form:

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 - I was driving as fast as I dared.
- Are you driving into town today, Tom? Jack needs a lift.
- Will you be needing any help with your homework?

4. Modals : Practice
Task 1: A must-watch YouTube video about modals in English. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZi5gBSYkxM
1. Watch the video at least three time and take notes while watching it.
2. What is the YouTube video about?
3. What did you understand from it? Based on your notes, give at least three things you did not know
before.
4. Do you think the YouTube video helps you understand modal verbs better? Why ? Why not?

Task 2 : Matching exercise.

1. You ought A. Better finish your report for the teacher or there may
be consequences.
2. You had B. Helmet when you are cycling on the road.
3. If you want, I will C. For a walk in the park?
4. Shall we go D. To apologise for being late.
5. You must wear a E. Rain tomorrow.
6. There’s a chance it might F. Speak chinese very well.
7. My sister can G. Help you move house next month.
8. You should visit H. The room when you hear the bell.
9. If I had the time and money, I would I. The doctor if you’ve had this stomach ache for more
than a couple of days.
10. You may enter J. Visit every country in Europe.

Task 3: Fill in the gap with the appropriate modal verb.

1. He _____________________ be very hungry. He has not eaten anything today. (deduction)
2. Smoking ____________________ cause cancer. (possiblity/probability)
3. Excuse me, __________________ I suggest an idea? (polite permission)
4. It ___________________ rain tomorrow. (possibility, probability)
5. I ______________________ participate in this conference. (possibility, probability)
6. You __________________ go to the doctor tomorrow. (advice)
7. You ____________________ drink lemonade with medicine. (prohibition)
8. _____________________ explain the procedure to me please ? (polite request)
9. I think we should _________________________ the meeting. (polite suggestion)
10. ______________________ leave the meeting early? Yes, you ________________ (asking for
permission)
11. There is too much traffic. I ________________ catch the plane.(certainty)
12. You were well prepared for the test. You ________________________ to pass without any
problems. (Logical conclusion + past ability)

TASK 4: Use the appropriate modal verb from the list provided.
must -have to – should - might/could - can/may
1. In preparing for a career, you ________________ get a strong background in university.
2. You ______________ get a visa if you want to enter England from Morocco.
3. You __________________________ have a life insurance, but it’s a good thing.
4. I __________________ work out. Doctor’s orders!
5. I wonder if I __________________ borrow this book overnight6 ?
6. I have been having this terrible headache for the last two weeks. What do you think I
_______________________ do?

TASK 5: Write sentences to express the following situations.

1. A father who gives permission to his son to watch TV after he has finished his homework.
________________________________________________________________________
2. A doctor advises his patient to have a medical check-up once a year.
________________________________________________________________________
3. A: I’m planning to apply for a job now. I do not know what to do?
B: (give advice) __________________________________________________

6
Overnight : For the duration of a night.
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 4. A: (offer help) ___________________________________________________
B: yes, please. I really need your help.
5. A boy is walking on the grass. But there is a notice which prevents this act.
Express negative obligation (not to walk) towards the boy.
_____________________________________________________________________.
6. The rock is not too heavy. I____________________carry it by myself (express ability).

TASK 6: Choose the appropriate modal.

1. You ___________ (must/need – express obligation) pay your taxes on time.
2. If the president wants to be re-elected, he _____________ (should/must – giving advice)
support legislation that benefits the middle and lower class.
3. Oh, no! You’re bleeding! You _________________ (must/should - expressing a strong
recommendation) go to the emergency room.
4. Employees ____________ (may/should – giving permission) leave early today as long as
they have completed all their tasks.
5. If you want to learn a new language well, you ___________________ (ought to/may/used to –
giving advice) practice speaking as much as possible.
6. We ___________________ (were not able to/could not –negative ability) to find the missing
documents even though we searched through the entire office.
7. We _______________ (will not/must not) judge people based on their appearance but rather
on their character and actions.
8. If you ___________________ (have to/must) cancel our meeting, please let me know as soon
as possible so I can adjust my schedule.

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 Modals : Summary of Functions with Examples

Modals Function Example

Can Ability I can read twenty (20) pages a day.
Permission Can I talk to you for a minute?
Possibility We can go to london in June because both of us have a week off work.
Request Can we leave now?
Offer Can I help you?; Can I do that for you?
Could Ability (past ; past ability) I could speak English fluently when I was a child.
Suggestion I could help you with physics if you are interested.
Possibility (more polite) You could have broken your leg! (‘break’ is used in the present
perfect)
Request (more polite) Could you lend me this book?
Asking for permission Could we start now?
Possibility Bring your umbrella. It could rain soon.
Conditional of ‘can’ (cond. II) I could visit many places if I had more money.
Will Request (informal) Will you call me when you get home?
Certainty in the future The new bridge will open for traffic before the 2030 World Cup.
Making a prediction We expect that the university will hire two medical engineers this year.
Promising, showing willingness Don’t worry ! He will be here if you need help.
Offer A: I don’t have a pen. B: No problem. I will lend you one.
Request Will you please help me manufacture this material?
Habits She will spend hours at a time on working on her project.
Would Past form of ‘will’ I would have helped you. (would +present perfect)
Habits I will drive to school almost every day.
Request I would like more coffee, please.
Offer ; invitation Would you care to join us to the museum.
Future in the past He promised he would give me a lift.
Conditional II If I had a car, I would drive to work. (but actually I did not have a car)
Conditional III If he had asked me, I would have helped him.
May Asking for permission May I have your phone for a minute, please?
Giving permission Yes, you may have it.
Probability It may snow this afternoon.
Request May we use your office for a few hours?
May I have some water, please?
Wish May Allah help you recover soon. (recover = get better)
Might Suggestion You might want to take a break.
Possibility/probability The doctor might be on his way to the clinic now.
Asking for permission politely/request Might I ask you a question?
Must Obligation When you drive through a school zone, you must be attentive.
Certainty, deduction (something is Look ! It must be freezing outside. Put on your coat.
true)
Strong recommendation We must study together for the upcoming exams.
Positive assumption or logical That must have been my father calling me while I was in class.
conclusion
Necessity You must take your medications.
Personal obligation I must wake up early in the morning to revise my notes.

Must not Prohibition You must not cheat in tests.

Need Necessity (things we must do) I need to go to the dentist.
Needn’t Things you don’t need We needn’t worry about him. He will be alright.
Needn’t Absence of necessity (something that You needn’t have given him so much money.
have was done, but was not necessary)
Shall Offering Shall get you something to drink?
Obligation They shall accomplish their tasks by next weeak.
Suggestion Shall we discuss this issue at the end of the meeting.
Promising We shall sort this problem out.
Future with certainty The thesis defence shall take place tomorrow at 10 :00 AM
Should Advisability You should have studied hard for the test.
Logical conclusion It’s almost 7. She should be here anytime soon.
Expectation Why hasn’t he arrived yet? He should have arrived 15 minutes ago.
Used to Habitual past action I used to waste time in summer, but now I give up.

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References
https://snaplanguage.io/esl/c-level/tenses/c-tenses-004-modal-verbs-page2.html
https://snaplanguage.io/esl/c-level/tenses/c-tenses-004-modal-verbs-page3.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkn796f
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-language/media/BEAP/2.3/index.html
https://byjus.com/english/modal-verbs/#what-is-a-modal-verb
https://www.curso-ingles.com/en/learn/courses/basic-level/verbs/modal-verbs#google_vignette
https://snaplanguage.io/esl/c-level/tenses/c-tenses-004-modal-verbs-page5-practice-1.
htmlhttps://promova.com/english-grammar/modal-verbs-in-english
https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/grammar-and-vocabulary/how-to-
use-verbs/a-guide-to-modals-and-how-to-use-them/
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/different-uses-of-used-to

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