Modal Verbs Flashcards

1
Q

Strong obligations

A

Must
Have to / Has to
Don’t have to / Doesn’t have to

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2
Q

Week Recommendation

A

Should: Used to express what we think is right for people to do.

  • Lisa is always complaining of headaches, she should see the doctor soon
  • You should watch more TV series if you want to improve your English

Shouldn’t: for negative ideas
- You shouldn’t quit your job if you love what you do

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3
Q

Prohibition

A

Mustn’t

- You mustn’t smoke in public places

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4
Q

Permission

A

Can: use to ask and/or give permission

  • Can you open the door for me, please?
  • Can I have one more piece of cake?

Can’t: for nevative ideas
- You can’t park here

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5
Q

Abilities

A

Can: used to talk about abilities in the PRESENT
- I can run 5km in 30min. Can you?

Can’t: for negative ideas
- I can read in Italian, but i can’t speak it

Could: used to talk about abilities in the past
- I could run 5km in 30min. But I stopped training 3 years ago

Couldn’t: for negative ideas
- I couldn’t play volleyball when I was a child, I didn’t have the ability

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6
Q

Deciding when something is certain

A

Must: use to express a conclusion that something is certain

  • Greg must have a problem. He keeps crying all the time
  • There is someone at the door. It must be the food I ordered

Have to / Has to: used in the same sense, but is more informal
- There is someone at the door. It has to be the food I ordered

Can’t: Not used mustn’t, therefore, we use can’t
- There is someone at the door. But it can’t be my food. I have just ordered it

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7
Q

Deciding when something is probable

A

Should: Is probable. It is expected

  • The amount of money I have for this short trip should be enough
  • I’m worried about my mom. She should be home by now.

Shouldn’t: Negative form
- You shouldn’t go there. People say it is dangerous place

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