The words that show ability, necessity, advice, or possibility. Small words. Big difference.
“If you have already mastered the basic verbs, modals are how you add colour. They show your attitude: am I able to? Is it necessary? Is it just a possibility?”
Today is my granddaughter's birthday. She CAN already read. (ability) She MUST be home by 7. (necessity) She SHOULD eat the cake first, before the chocolates. (advice) She MIGHT cry when the candles are lit. (possibility) She COULD become a doctor one day. (future possibility)
Five different modals. Five different feelings. Each one adds something the main verb cannot say alone.
CAN = ability now. 'I can swim.' 'She can speak three languages.'
COULD = ability in the past. 'When I was young, I could run fast.'
Permission: 'Can I leave?' (informal) / 'Could I leave?' (more polite)
Polite request: 'Could you help me?'
MUST = strong necessity, often from your own decision. 'I must finish this today.'
HAVE TO = necessity from an outside rule. 'I have to wear a uniform at work.'
Both mean roughly the same in positive sentences. In negative, they are DIFFERENT.
'Must not' = it is forbidden. ('You must not smoke here.')
'Don't have to' = it is not necessary. ('You don't have to come if you don't want.')
SHOULD = the right thing to do.
'You should drink more water.' (advice)
'You shouldn't smoke.' (negative advice)
'Should I call her?' (asking for advice)
MAY = possibility (slightly more formal). 'It may rain tomorrow.'
MIGHT = possibility (more common in spoken English). 'I might come to the party.'
Both mean roughly the same. Use whichever sounds natural.
Click “Translate” below if you need any word in your own language.
Ability or permission.
I can swim.
Past ability or polite request.
Could you help me?
Strong necessity.
You must wear a seatbelt.
Forbidden.
You must not run here.
Necessity from outside.
I have to go to work.
Advice; the right thing to do.
You should rest.
Possibility or formal permission.
It may snow.
Possibility, common in speech.
I might be late.
Modals do NOT take -s for he/she/it. 'He can' (not 'he cans'). 'She must' (not 'she musts'). After a modal, always use the BASE verb: 'I can swim' (not 'I can swimming'). One of the most common mistakes for new learners.
Try these on paper or out loud. Mr. Gee's rule: practice today, do not save it for tomorrow.
Modals add attitude. CAN/COULD = ability. MUST/HAVE TO = necessity (different in negative). SHOULD = advice. MAY/MIGHT = possibility. Modals never take -s for he/she/it.
Read aloud every day. Even if it sounds funny. Your tongue needs practice.
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