MODAL VERBS They dont take the s after the third person singular.

In questions, we invert the order and they dont take the auxiliary form. We use not in the negative form. (Exception: dont have to) They are followed by an infinitive form.

Can, could, be able to Ability: I can play tennis.

Past: Other: a.

I could play basketball when I was younger. In two years, Ill be able to speak perfect Japanese. Can is used to refer to the present, could to refer to the past and be able

to is used in the other tenses. Possibility: He can come to the party.

She could have won the competition. Permission: Can you open the window, please?

Could you open the window, please? (more formal) May, might Permission: May I come in? / May I smoke here? Possibility: He may come tonight.

Past:

He might come tonight. (less possible) I may / might have left my bag at school. (past)

Must, mustnt, have to, have got to, dont have to, neednt Obligation: We must be at the airport on time.

You have to get up early. Hes got to do his exam again. Past: You had to go to school every day when you were five. Prohibition: You mustnt smoke in class. / You mustnt go to bed late. Probability: They must be out, the lights are off. Lack of obligation: You dont have to come if you dont want to.

You neednt come if you dont want to. Past: They didnt have to pay for a sandwich in the 19th century. a. e.g.: b. When we use must the obligation comes from the person speaking; with I must have a healthy diet The teacher says I have to study harder. Must is often written down, for example on public notices; have to is used in speech and have got to is quite informal. Should, shouldnt, ought to To give advice: You should listen to the teacher.

have to and have got to, the obligation comes from another person, not the speaker.

Past: a. b.

You ought to study for the exam. You should have listened to the teacher. You ought to have studied more for the exam. Should is weaker than have to or must; its more polite. Ought to means the same as should; we use it for something that is a good

idea or the right thing.

Allowed to Permission: In some countries, women arent allowed to vote.

Past: a.

We werent allowed to wear what we wanted at school. Allowed to is quite similar in meaning to can.