Modal verbs: present, past and future

1. Ability

She can speak Spanish but she can’t speak Italian. (present)

Despite his handicap he is able to drive a car. (present)

Mozart could play the piano at the age of five. (past)

Mike’s car broke down but he was able to repair it. (past)

2. Possibility

There may be life on Mars.(present)

We might be a little late. (future)

The rash could be a symptom of something more serious. (present)

We’ll be able to travel to the moon but we won’t be able to travel to Mars. (future)

This road can get very busy. (it is theoretically possible)

3. Arrangements

The doctor could see you at six; he can’t see you before then as he’s too busy. (future)

4. Permission

’Can I use your phone?’ ’No, I’m afraid you can’t.’ (present/future; informal)

I was allowed to leave early yesterday. (past)

You may park your car in this area. (present/future; formal)

5. Obligation

Students have (got) to wear school uniform here. (present; someone else has decided)

I must get up earlier. (present; I have decided)

Do we need to get a visa for the USA? (present)

You should/ought to respect your neighbours. (present)

We had to report to reception by four. (past)

We’ll have to/need to get our visas sorted out. (future)

6. Necessity

All human being must/have to/need to have enough sleep. (present)

Cave dwellers had to/needed to hunt in order to survive. (past)

You’ll have to/need to work harder than that. (future)

7. Prohibition

You mustn’t touch that kettle! (present/future)

Guests can’t/ may not use the pool after 11 p.m. (present/future)

You shouldn’t speak to me like that! (present/future)

We couldn’t go because we were too young. (past)

8. Absence of obligation or necessity

You don’t have to/don’t need to pay to visit most museums in Britain. (present)

You didn’t have to/didn’t need to finish the job. (past; the action was not necessary but we don’t know if the action happened or not)

You won’t have to/won’t need to ask the doctor to sign this form. (future)

9. Advice/recommendation

You really must read ’Birdsong’! (present/future)

You should/ought to consider a private pension. (present/future)

You had better change the locks straight away. (present/future)

10. Logical deduction

This must/has to be the place. (present/future)

This amount can’t be correct. (present/future)

11. Probability

The plane should/ought to be landing now. (present/future)

12. Certainty

It won’t be warm at this time of year. (present)

13. Routines

He will come in and he will start giving instructions. (present)

He would come in and he would start giving instructions. (past)

14. Habits

The public will always side with the nurses. (present)

Jack would always tell me how to run my life. (past)

15. Characteristics

The stadium will hold about 110,000 people. (present)

The car wouldn’t start on cold mornings. (past)

16. Willingness/refusal

The doctor will act as a witness. (present)

The shop wouldn’t change this jumper. (past)

17. Other functions

I will wash up this evening. (an offer; present/future)

Shall I wash up this evening? (a more tentative offer; present/future)

Shall we go out for a curry? (a suggestion; present/future)

Will you give me a call? (a request; present/future)

Would you fill in this form, please? (a more tentative request)

You will/shall all stay after school tonight. (an order/instruction; present/future)

I wouldn’t say that. (a polite disagreement; present/future)