Postolache UI MODAL VERBS MAY Used to express formal permission: Ex: You may open the window now.

When it expresses permission may can be replaced by be allowed/permitted to: May: present, future Might:past, conditional, reported speech Be allowed/permitted to can be conjugated in all tenses and moods. May/might+ present infinitive: possibility in the future Might expresses greater doubt Ex: He may/might come tomorrow. Might must be used when the verb in the main clause is in the past tense. Ex: I thought he might come tomorrow. May/might + perfect infinitives is used in speculations about past actions: Ex: He may/might have read the book. May not expresses prohibition, it is a synonym of must not. CAN Can/could+ present infinitive: permission Ex: Can/Could he come too? In the negative : prohibition Ex: He cant park here, its a non parking area. Can/could + present infinitives: present/past ability Ex: I can ski very well. My daughter could skate when she was 5. In the negative: lack of ability: Ex:I cant read Spanish. Can is used for the present Could is used for the past and conditional It can be replaced by be able to which can be conjugated in all tenses and moods. NT: Could = ability to do something in the past on a regular basis Was/were able to = succeeded/ managed to do something once ( past achievement) Can/could + perfect infinitives: past unused ability ( sometimes with a nuance of reproach) Ex: They could have come earlier but they didnt want to. Cant/couldnt + present infinitive: negative present deduction:

Ex : It cant be John, hes too short to be John. Cant/ couldnt + perfect infinitive: negative deduction about the past: Ex: He cant/couldnt have studied the lesson, he gave a very poor answer. MUST Must expresses general necessity/obligation/rules, regulations: Ex: You must cross the street on the red light. Necessity imposed by the speaker: Ex I must help him. Very emphatic advice: Ex: You must see this film. It can be replaced by have (got) to which can be conjugated in all tenses and moods. Mustnt indicated prohibition: Ex: You mustnt cross the street against the traffic lights. Neednt indicates lack of necessity: Ex: She neednt buy anymore bread, there is plenty in the house.

Must + present infinitive : logical deduction about the present: Ex It must be 8 oclock by now.

WILL Will ( in the affirmative) expresses a formal,impersonal command: Ex: You will go there at 6 sharp. A characteristic action: Ex: He will watch TV for hours when he comes from work. Determination: Ex: I will go on this trip. Something unavoidable: Ex: Children will be children. Volition/intention: Ex: If you will come, Ill send the car for you. Supposition: Ex: That will be her boyfriend. In the interrogative : Will you? expresses an invitation or a request:

Ex: Will you have more coffee? Will you make the bed for me, please? In the negative wont expresses: Refusal to perform an action: Ex: He wont go to the supermarket for me. Or failure to perform its immediate function ( with objects): Ex: This window wont open. WOULD As a modal would expresses in reported speech the same shades of meaning as will. SHALL In the interrogative it is used for inquiries about order or advice: Ex: Shall I do the dishes? What shall I buy? In the 2nd and 3rd persons it is used to express a command ( in legal documents) or the speakers promise/determination to do something: Ex: Each competitor shall wear a number. Ex: You shall have that book. SHOULD Should is used to express polite advice similar to ought to Ex: You should see that movie. Something reasonably expected: Ex: That should be our bus.