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Esol modal verbs exercises can how to#

Have to shows us that the obligation comes from outside the speaker. There is a slight difference between the way we use them. We use have to and must to express obligation. (Teacher to student) You mustn't be late to class. (Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister. We use mustn't particularly when the prohibition comes from the speaker. Visitors must not park in the staff car park. It is common on public signs and notices informing people of rules and laws. We use must not to talk about what is not permitted. Sorry, we can't sell knives to under-18s. What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here. We use can't to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly when we didn't make the rules. We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not allowed. These pages may be photocopied for classroom use. May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission.Ĭustomers may request a refund within a period of 30 days. Could is more formal and polite than can.Ĭould I borrow your pen for a moment, please? may

We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). We often use can to ask for and give permission. We often use verbs with modal meanings to talk about permission and obligation. Modals – permission and obligation: Grammar test 1 You don't have to have a licence to cycle on the roads. You have to have a licence to drive a car. I must call the electrician and get that light fixed. You can put your shoes and coat over there. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.Look at these examples to see how can, can't, must, mustn't, have to and don’t have to are used. Welcome! I'm Seonaid and I hope you like the website. Need more practice? Get more Perfect English Grammar with our courses. As this is a specific possiblity, 'could be' is present tense)

He could have been working late (not: 'could be'.

This is not used to talk about specific possibilites in the past (instead we use could + have + past participle):

Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.

We can use could + infinitive to talk about a general possibility in the past (compare with the use of 'can' above): Should + have + past participle Should + have + past participle can be used to make an assumption about something that has probably happened, if everything is as we expect (compare with present use of 'should' above):

The parcel will have arrived before now.

Will / won't + have + past participle Will and won't / will not + have + past participle are used for past certainty (compare with present use of 'will' above):

She must have forgotten about our date.

could / couldn't have + past participle.

might / might not have + past participle.

( Click here to review how to make the past participle) He could be on the bus (not: 'can be').Ģ: Using modal verbs to talk about the past: must / might / could / may / can't + have + past participle.The underground will be very busy now (not: 'should be').Ĭan Can is used for something that is generally possible, something we know sometimes happens:Ĭan is not used to talk about specific possibilities:.This use of should isn't usually used for negative events. Should / shouldn't Should and shouldn't are used to make an assumption about what is probably true, if everything is as we expect: We use will and won't when we are very sure: Notice that the opposite of 'must' is ' can't in this case. I am waiting for Julie with another friend, David. 1: Talking about the present: must / might / could / may / can't + infinitive We choose the verb depending on how sure we are. We can use these modal verbs (also called modals of deduction, speculation or certainty) when we want to make a guess about something. Click here for all the exercises about modal verbs

Esol modal verbs exercises can how to#