MODALS AND SEMI MODALS

Pirchy Dayan

Can + V1 Usage: present ability I can speak French. I cannot speak French. Can you speak French?

Usage: permission You can use my car tomorrow. Can I use your car tomorrow? You cannot use my car tomorrow.

Can + V1 Usage: possibility Anyone can make mistakes.

Usage: negative reasoning She can’t be sick. I saw her a hour

ago.

Could + V1 Usage: past ability I could speak French when I was a child. I couldn’t speak French when I was a

child. Could you speak French when you were

a child?

Usage: polite request Could you please take a message?

Be able to + V1 Usage: ability in the past, present & future I’m able to speak French I’m not able to speak French. Are you able to speak French. He will be able to finish the job tomorrow. He won’t be able to finish the job tomorrow Will he be able to finish the job tomorrow? They were able to run fast when they were young. They weren’t able to run fast when they were

young. Were they able to run fast when they were young?

May + V1 Usage: permission You may enter the room. You may not leave the class. May I go out, please?

Usage: possibility It may rain tonight.

Might + V1 Usage: possibility John might be in the library. John might not be in the library. Might john be in the library?

Should + V1 Usage: giving advice or opinion You should see a doctor. You look

sick. You shouldn’t go there. It’s

dangerous. should I see a doctor? I don’t feel

well.

Ought to + V1 Usage: giving advice or opinion –

formal You ought to study for the test. You ought not to go to the movie.

Must + V1 Usage: present and future

obligation (חובה) I must study for the test. Must you study for the test?

Usage: certainty Mary must be sick. She isn’t at school. Note: the negative of must is don’t have to.

Mustn't + V1 Usage: prohibition (איסור) You mustn’t talk during the test. You mustn't drive through red light.

Have to + V1 Usage: obligation – past, present and

future I have to study for the test. I don’t have to study for the test. Do you have to study for the test? He had to finish the work yesterday. He didn’t have to finish the work yesterday. Did he have to finish the work yesterday? They will have to complete the material. They won’t have to complete the material. Will they have to complete the material?

Had better + V1 Usage: strong advice You had better be on time, or we will

leave without you. You had better not be late, or we will

leave without you.

Would rather + V1 Usage: preference ((עדיפות I would rather go to the park than

stay at home. I’d rather not stay at home. Would your rather wait here?

Need to + V1 Usage: necessity (צורך) I need to finish the work on time I don’t need to finish the work on

time. Do you need to finish the work on

time?