MODAL VERBS

CAN: informal language. Only used in present, for the rest of tenses Ability (to know how/ to have the ability of doing
we use have to. something).
My sister can cook Japanese food
Ask for and give permission.
Can I go to the cinema with you?
Possibility (more certainty than could
Parkour can be dangerous
Requests.
Possiblity.

BE ABLE TO: the same as can, but it can be conjugated Ability

My sister is able to cook
Mi sister was able to cook
My sister will be able to cook
COULD: formal language Past ability:
Aitor could run marathons when he was younger
To ask for permission politely.
Could you help me with …?
Suggestions.
Your cousin could take…
Possibility.
Parkour could be dangerous.
CAN’T / CANNOT No ability
Certainty that something is impossible
Alice can’t speak French
It isn’t very late. The pub cannot be closed
HAVE TO: stronger obligation Obligation, necessity
I have to drive on the night
DON’T HAVE TO: Lack of obligation
You don’t have to get up early on Saturdays.
MAY: Possibility
To ask for permission politely
It may snow tomorrow
MIGHT Possibility
It might be easier if Daniel helped
MUST: it is only used in present time, to say something in past Necessity, obligation
expressing the meaning that this modal express, use have to1 Certainty that something is true.

MUSTN’T Prohibition.
You mustn’t eat in class.
NEED TO: it is not a modal verb. It can be conjugated Obligation, necessity.
I needed to go there.
I don’t need to go there
NEEDN’T TO: =have to: both can be used in the same situations Lack of obligation, necessity

OUGHT TO: formal language. It is normally affirmative. It is Give advice, opinion

translated into Spanish by “debería…” You ought to get up early
SHOULD: Give advice, opinion

Offer
WOULD Would you like some tea?
Ask for permission politely
Would you like to open the door?

1
Have to ≠ must: have to  the obligation is imposed by you/ Must  the obligation is imposed to you by someone.