This document summarizes the use of different modals in English including those used for permission, obligation, necessity, habits and states in both past and present. It discusses modals like can, could, may, should, must, have to, needn't and their uses for asking and giving permission, expressing obligation, lack of obligation and necessity. It also covers used to and would for talking about past habits and repeated actions versus past states. Examples are provided to illustrate the usage of each modal.

1. UNIT 5Modals

2. Used to and wouldModalsAsking for and giving permissionCan:used to ask for and give permissionCould:used to ask for permission when not sure about what will the answer beMay:used to formally ask for and give permissionObligationShould and ought to are used to talk about obligations and duties on past, present and futureStrong obligation and necessityMust:used to talk about present and future obligations and necessities coming from the speaker; to ask about what the listener wants the speaker to do; tell people not to do thingsHave to/have got to:used to talk about present and future obligations not coming from the speaker(used more in British english than American english); to talk about past and reported obligations of any kindNeedn’t/don’t need to/don’t have to:used to talk about a lack of obligation in present or future; needn’t+have+past participle are used to say that someone did something unnecessary; didn’t need to+infinitive just to mention something is unnecessary, but without mentioning if someone did it or not

3. ExamplesCan I come in?Could you help me?You may have itYou should be careful about what you eatI must go to the bathroomYou have to pay all your taxesYou needn’t have washed the car, it’s going to rain

4. Used to and wouldUsed to:used to(I just repeated it) talk about past habits and states that do not occur now or no longer existWould:also used to talk about past habits and repeated actions but not for states

5. ExamplesI used to do homeworks when I was a childI also used to cry and run awayWhen I grew older, I would do anything after school except for homeworkWhen I was younger, I would always go to my friends’ houses