Modals: present and past
Function Present context Past context
Ability I can speak English, but Mary could walk when she was
I can’t speak Italian. only 8 months old, but she
couldn’t speak then.
Possibility Adil is absent. He may/ Adil was absent; he
might/could be sick. may/might /could have
missed the bus.
Advice - You should eat more - You shouldn’t have eaten
vegetables. too much.
- You ought to drink - He oughtn’t to have eaten
more water. too much.
- I failed my exam; I should
have worked hard.
Obligation - Students must respect I had to wake up very early
the school rules. yesterday because we were
- We have to be in class going to sit for an exam.
on time.
Prohibitio - Students mustn’t
n cheat on exams.
Lack of - You needn’t take a taxi. - I didn’t need to apply for a
obligation I’ll give you a lift. visa to visit Turkey last
- We don’t have to wear summer.
a uniform in our school. - I didn’t have to apply for a
visa to visit Turkey last
summer.
Certainty - You haven’t eaten all - She got excellent grades, she
day; you must be must have prepared well.
hungry now. - She is very trustworthy. She
- Nicola can’t be can’t have stolen the money
American, his English is
terrible.
Permissio Can/may/could I use
n your laptop, please?
Request Can/will/could/would
you lend your book,
please?
Suggestio Shall we go to see a
n
movie this weekend?
Modals: present and past
Function Present context Past context
Ability I can speak English, but Mary could walk when she was
I can’t speak Italian. only 8 months old, but she
couldn’t speak then.
Possibility Adil is absent. He may/ Adil was absent; he
might/could be sick. may/might /could have
missed the bus.
Advice - You should eat more - You shouldn’t have eaten
vegetables. too much.
- You ought to drink - He oughtn’t to have eaten
more water. too much.
- I failed my exam; I should
have worked hard.
Obligation - Students must respect I had to wake up very early
the school rules. yesterday because we were
- We have to be in class going to sit for an exam.
on time.
Prohibitio - Students mustn’t
n cheat on exams.
Lack of - You needn’t take a taxi. - I didn’t need to apply for a
obligation I’ll give you a lift. visa to visit Turkey last
- We don’t have to wear summer.
a uniform in our school. - I didn’t have to apply for a
visa to visit Turkey last
summer.
Certainty - You haven’t eaten all - She got excellent grades, she
day; you must be must have prepared well.
hungry now. - She is very trustworthy. She
- Nicola can’t be can’t have stolen the money
American, his English is
terrible.
Permissio Can/may/could I use
n your laptop, please?
Request Can/will/could/would
you lend your book,
please?
Suggestio Shall we go to see a
n movie this weekend?
