Modal Verbs Table

Modal
USES
be
supposed expectation
to
be to
can /
could

strong expectation
ability / possibility
informal permission

Can Can't

informal polite request

Could

impossibility (negative
only)
necessity

Present / Future

PAST

We are supposed to
meet them here.

We were supposed to
meet here.

We are to meet them

here.
I can learn modal verbs
online.

We were to meet them

here.

You can use my car

tomorrow.
Can I borrow your book?
Cats can't swim.
I have to go to class
today.

I could jump high a few

years ago but now I
can't.

That can't have been

true!
I had to go to class
yesterday.

have to
lack of necessity
(negative)
have got
to

necessity

had better strongly advised

may

Might

polite request
formal permission
less than 50% certainty
less than 50% certainty
strong necessity

must

prohibition
95% certainty
advisability

I don't have to go to
class today.
I have got to go to class
today
You had better be on
time.
May I borrow your book?
You may leave the room.

I didn't have to go to
class yesterday.
I had to go to class
yesterday.
(past form uncommon)

He may be at the school.

He may have been at

school.

He might be at school.

He might have been at

school.

I must go to class today.

You must not open that
door.

I had to go to class
yesterday.

Mary isn't in class. She

Mary must have been
must be sick.(present
sick yesterday.
only)
I ought to study tonight. I ought to have studied
last night.

ought to

shall

80% certainty

She ought to be at
school

She ought to have done

well on the test.

ask another person's

opinion (only used with I
or we)

Shall I invite them too?

Shall we dance?

advisability

I should study tonight

You should have paid

your bills.

80% certainty

He should be at school

He should have done

well on the test.

should

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Another Reference for Modals

Legal Obligation / Official

MUST

Police officer: 'You must

Logical Conclusion

MUST

The teacher's absent. Sh

Reporting a Rule
Personal Necessity / Obligation

BE SUPPOSED TO
HAVE TO / HAVE GOT TO

Ability

CAN / BE ABLE TO

Permission

CAN / BE ALLOWED TO

We are supposed turn o

I have to call the doctor
I can play the piano.
I am able to speak Engli
I can have a dog in my a

Past Ability

COULD / WAS ABLE TO

Possibility

Past Permission
Advice
Warning
A Choice / Not required
Possibility / Uncertainty about the
future
*adverb MAYBE
Polite request
Permission
To express what you want
Preference

WAS ALLOWED / PERMITTED

I wasn't allowed to go o
TO
SHOULD
You should call your mot
HAD BETTER
You'd better study befor
DON'T HAVE TO
I don't have to wear a s
MAY / MIGHT

It might / may rain this e

May be it will rain this ev

WOULD / COULD
MAY / CAN / COULD
WOULD LIKE
WOULD RATHER

Would you open the doo

May I borrow your pen?
I would like to learn Eng
I would rather walk tha