XMind

Modal Verbs

1. Obligation

   1. Must

      1. You must wear a crash helmet on a motorbike - it is the law.

   2. Must Not

      1. You mustn't get on a train without a valid ticket.

   3. Have To

      1. You have to stamp your ticket when you get on a bus in Rome.

2. Prohibition

   1. Cannot

      1. You can't drive a car without a license.

3. Choice

   1. Can

      1. You can either take the bus or the metro.

   2. Could

      1. You could take a taxi if you are in a hurry.

4. Suggestion

   1. Should

      1. You should see a dentist if you have a toothache.

   2. Should not

      1. You shouldn't drink alcohol if you are going to drive.

   3. Ought to

      1. You ought to phone your mother on her birthday - it's a good idea.

   4. Ought Not to

      1. You ought not go out in the rain if you don't have an umbrella - it's a bad idea.

5. Ability

   1. Can

      1. I can ride a horse - I had lessons when I was a child.

   2. Cannot

      1. I can't swim - in fact I am terrified of water.

   3. Could

      1. I could speak Danish when I was a child.

   4. Could not

      1. I couldn't drive a car until I had lots of lessons.

6. Permission

   1. Can

      1. Can I open the window ? It's too hot in here.

   2. May

      1. May I open the window ? It's too hot in here.

7. Request

   1. Could

      1. Could you carry this for me ? I have too much to carry.

   2. Would

      1. Would you get me a newspaper when you go to the shops please ?

   3. Will

      1. Will you answer the phone please - I am busy.

8. Confirmation

   1. Shall

      1. Shall I get pizza for dinner tonight ?

      2. I shall meet you at the station at 7pm

   1. Shall can only be used in the 1st person I/We - Not he/she/you/It etc

9. Possibility

   1. Might

      1. He might be in the office on tuesday - I'm not sure.

   2. May

      1. She may come to the meeting - she's not sure of her schedule at the moment.

   3. Could

      1. He could be on the fourth floor - he has a meeting there later.

10. Deduction

    1. Can't have

       1. He can't have been at work on Tuesday - I saw him at the stadium.

       1. Negative certain deduction.

    2. Must Have

       1. He must have been in the office - his car was there.

       1. Positive certain deduction.

11. Offer

    1. Will

       1. I'll drive you to the station if you want.

1. Some example uses of Modal Verbs