Modal Verbs Flashcards
Strong obligations
Must
Have to / Has to
Don’t have to / Doesn’t have to
Week Recommendation
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
Prohibition
Mustn’t
- You mustn’t smoke in public places
Permission
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
Abilities
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
Deciding when something is certain
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
Deciding when something is probable
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
