MODALS
1. CAN
USE EXAMPLES
Ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) I can speak English.
Permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed
to)
Can I go to the cinema?
Requests Can you wait a moment, please?
Offers I can lend you my car till tomorrow.
Suggestions Can we visit Grandma at the weekend?
Possibilities It can get very hot in Arizona.
2. COULD
USE EXAMPLES
ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) I could speak English.
permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be allowed
to)
I could go to the cinema.
polite questions * Could I go to the cinema, please?
polite requests * Could you wait a moment, please?
polite offers * I could lend you my car till tomorrow.
polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?
possibility * It could get very hot in Montana.
3. MAY
USE EXAMPLES
possibility It may rain today.
permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed
to)
May I go to the cinema?
polite suggestion May I help you?
4. MIGHT
USE EXAMPLES
Possibilities (less possible than may) * It might rain today.
Hesitant offers * Might I help you?
5. MUST
USE EXAMPLES
force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today.
possibility You must be tired.
advice, recommendation (STRONG) You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.
6. MUST NOT / MAY NOT
USE EXAMPLES
prohibition (must is stronger) You mustn't work on dad's computer.
You may not work on dad's computer.
* These are no past forms, they refer to the future
