Modal Verbs and Semi- modals

1. Should / Ought to
Must
Have to
Can / Could
Be able to
May
Might
Used to
Dare
Need to

2. Used to give an advice or oppinion
You look tired. You should/ought to
go to bed.

4. You should (ought to) have paid
your bills last month

5.  Used to say that it is necessary to do someting .

6. We use MUST when we give our personal
feelings. When you think it is necessary to do
something.
It’s Ann birthday. I must call her
tonight.

7. I have to get up early tomorrow. I’m
going to work at seven am.

8. Used to say that something is possible or
that someone has the ability to do something.
They can sing very well

9. Used to talk about what was possible
or ability someone had in the past.
Pelé could play ball very well.

10. This expression has the same idea as can.
He is able to do magic tricks.

11. She will be able to drive soon.

12. Indicates probability or permission.
May I come in?

13. Peter isn’t at home. He may have
gone to church because it’s Sunday.

14. Indicates things that will probably happen.
It might rain.

15. Indicates past habits
I used to play golf when I was Young.
Now I don’t play anymore.

16. To be brave enough to do something
Dare you climb that mountain?

17. Indicates necessity or obligation
He needs to study hard.

18.  Must not or mustn’t (all pronouns)
 You mustn’t go out now.
 Should not or shouldn’t (all pronouns)
 It shouldn’t be difficult to find someone to stay
here.
 Ought not to (all pronouns)
 Jack ought not to go to bed so late.

19.  Do not have to or don’t have to (I, you, we,
they)
 You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want.
 Does not have to or doesn’t have to (he, she, it)
 He is not working tomorrow, so he doesn’t
have to get up early.

20.  Cannot or can’t (all pronouns)
 Sarah can’t speak Italian very well
 Could not or couldn’t (all pronouns)
 I was tired last night but I couldn’t sleep.

21.  Be able to (Present) am not , isn’t, aren’t.
 I’m not able to play the violin.
 Be able to (Past) wasn’t , weren’t.
 George wasn’t able to run fast when he was a
kid.
 Be able to (Future) won’t
 You won’t be able to get the train.

22.  Might not (all pronouns)/ May not (all
pronouns)
I’m not feeling well today. I might not go to work
tomorrow.

23.  Did not or didn’t use to (all pronouns)
 He din’t use to brush his teeth after lunch.

24.  needn’t, don’t need to, doesn’t need to
(Present)
 We needn’t go out. / We don’t need to go out.
 Did not or didn’t need to (Past)
 We didn’t need to get passport.

25.  Must + (all pronouns)+ verb + complement
 Must I help in the garden?
 Should + (all pronouns) + verb + complement
 Should we invite Susan to the party?

26.  Do (I, you, we, they) have to + verb + complement
 Do we have to get a driving licence?
 Does (he, she, it) have to + verb + complement
 Does he have to go to the hospital?

27.  Can (all pronouns)
 Can you speak English and Spanish?
 Could (all pronouns)
 Could I walk by myself when I was one year
old?

28.  Am , is, are able to (present)
 They are ten years old, are they able to cook?
 Was, were able to (past)
 Were you able to drive with a flat tire?
 Will be able to (future)
 Will you be able to speak English by
December?

29.  Might (all pronouns)/ May (all pronouns)
 Might I ask you a question?

30.  Did ( all pronouns) use to ....
Did he use to swim in the river?

31.  Need you to do that course? / Do you need to
do that course? (Present)
 Did you need to see me? (Past)

32. She is ill , so she _______ see the
doctor.
Use MUST or MUSTN’T to complete the
sentences
It is raining. You_______ take your
umbrella.
You _______ throw litter on the streets.
This is a secret. You _____ tell
to anyone.

33. Use SHOULD or SHOULDN’T to complete
the sentences.
We ____ invent them to our party. They
are nice people.
Teens _____ stay out very late. It’s
dangerous.
You ______ tell lies!
People _____ cross the street when the
lights are green for pedestrians.

34. Use HAVE TO or HAS TO to complete the
sentences.
They _____ write a test.
She ______ clean her desk.
George _____ help his brother.
We _____ do our homework.