MODAL VERBS

- Present and general ability.

o She can play the guitar.
o They can’t speak Chinese.
CAN - To ask for or give permission.
o Can I ask a question please?
o You can borrow my pen.
- Make requests.
o Can I have a glass of water?

- Past ability.
o He could swim.

COULD o We couldn’t dance.

- To ask for permission politely.
o Could we go home now?
- Make polite requests.
Could I have my bill please?

- Advice.

SHOUL o You should tell your friend.

o She shouldn’t go home.
D o Should I go to the doctor?

- Obligation.
Must and have to
MUST o You must do your
homework. often mean the
o She mustn’t go. same thing:
*We don’t usually use must in the You must try harder
question
form. We usually use: Do/Does ... have
to...?
=
-Obligation. You have to try harder
o I have to look after my sister.
o Does he have to go to Mustn’t and don’t have
the swimming pool to
HAVE now? don’t mean the
DON’T HAVE TO same thing:
TO - Lack of obligation.
o I don’t have to work
You mustn’t go (don’t go)
≠
on Sundays.
o She doesn’t have to You don’t have to go (you
do washing up. can go if you want to, but it is
 not necessary)

After can, could, should, must and have to, we

use the bare INFINITIVE (without to).
 LET’S PRACTISE!

1. Can, can’t, could, couldn’t.

2. Can, can’t, must.

3. Choose the correct verb.

 4. Underline the correct sentence.

5. Choose the correct verb.

FURTHER PRACTISE

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos/have-
must-and- should-obligation-and-advice

http://actvenglish.blogspot.com.es/2012/06/modal-verbs-exercises-can-must-have-to.html