Ability Logical conclusion Necessity Obligation Permission Possibility Prohibition

üAbility üLogical conclusion üNecessity üObligation üPermission üPossibility üProhibition üRequests üAdvice

Can, could • I can remember all my friends’ telephone numbers. • He could swim by the time he was 3.

Can’t be, must be • Ann isn’t answering the phone. She must be out. • This can’t be the South Pole. There aren’t any penguins.

Must/can’t have V 3 • You must have been tired after all that hard work last week. • You can’t have been tired last Sunday – you slept for hours.

have to, don’t have to • I have to cycle to school. It’s too far to walk. • I don’t have to go to school today – it’s a national holiday.

Must, mustn’t • You must do this homework carefully. • You mustn’t steal other people’s things. It’s wrong.

Had to • We had to stay behind after the lesson and do some extra work.

Can, could, may • You can borrow my bike, but you can’t have the car. • Could my friends come to stay next weekend? • May I speak loud here?

May, might • Ann is not in class. She might be in the library. • Sam may come to the cinema with us – I’m not sure if he’s free.

Mustn’t • Students mustn’t use a dictionary in the exam.

Can, could, would • Can you tell me the time, please? • Could you pass me the salt? • Would you mind pouring me some water?

should • You should write to your family.

Should have V 3 • You should have written to your family. (but you didn't. )

Could have V 3 • You could have tried a new method (but you didn't choose to. )

Ability Possibility Necessity Logical conclusion Requests Obligation Advice Permission Prohibition should mustn’t must could must be have to may can might

Ability could can

Possibility may might

Necessity have to

Logical conclusion must be

Requests can could

Obligation must

Advice should

Permission may can could

Prohibition mustn’t