Expressions used instead of modals

4.227 Several ordinary verbs and fixed expressions are used to express the same attitudes and ideas as modals. These verbs and expressions are explained in the following paragraphs. Each group of paragraphs corresponds to an earlier section in the chapter dealing with the use of modals in a particular type of situation.

4.228 'Be able to' and 'be possible to' can be used instead of 'can' and 'could' to say whether or not something is possible.

The subject of 'be able to' and 'be unable to' usually refers to a person of group of people, but it can refer to any living thing. It can also refer to something organized or operated by people, such as a company, a country, or a machine.

The subject of 'be possible to' is always the impersonal pronoun 'it'.

4.229 If you want to say that it is possible for someone or something to do something, you can use 'be able to'.

All members are able to claim travelling expenses.

The goliath frog is able to jump three metres or so.

You use 'be able to' with a negative to say that it is not possible for someone or something to do something.

They are not able to run fast or throw a ball.

4.230 You can also use 'be unable to' to say that it is not possible for someone or something to do something.

I am having medical treatment and I'm unable to work.

Terry Wogan is unable to be with us.

4.231 You can also use 'be possible to' with 'it' as the subject to say that something is possible. You usually use this expression to say that something is possible for people in general, rather than for an individual person.

It is possible to reach Tunheim on foot.

Is it possible to programme a computer to speak?

If you use 'be possible to' to say that something is possible for a particular person or group, you put 'for' and a noun group after 'possible'.

It is possible for us to measure his progress.

It's possible for each department to support new members.

You use 'be possible to' with a negative to say that something is not possible.

It is not possible to quantify the effect.

4.232 You can also use 'be impossible to' to say that something is not possible.

It is impossible to fix the exact moment in time when it happened.

It is impossible for a European to understand Tewdros.

4.233 To change the tense of 'be able to', 'be unable to', or 'be possible to', or 'be impossible to', you simply change the form of 'be' to an appropriate simple tense.

The doctor will be able to spend more time with the patient.

Their parents were unable to send them any money.

It was not possible to dismiss crowd behaviour as a contributing factor.

It was impossible for the husband to obey this order.

4.234 All modals except 'can' and 'could' can be used with these expressions.

A machine ought to be able to do this.

The United States would be unable to produce any wood.

It may be impossible to predict which way things will develop.

4.235 'Used to' can be used with 'be able to' and 'be possible to'.

You used to be able to go to the doctor for that.

It used to be possible to buy second-hand wigs.

For more information about 'used to' see paragraphs 4.258 to 4.262.

saying how likely something is 4.236 You can use 'have to' or 'have got to' instead of 'must' to indicate that you think the case, because of particular facts or something is circumstances.

'That looks about right.'—'It has to be.'

Money has got to be the reason.

4.237 You can use 'be going to' instead of 'will' to say that something certain to happen or be the case in the future.

The children are going to be fishermen of farmers.

Life is going to be a bit easier from now on.

4.238 You can use 'be bound to' to say emphatically that something is certain to happen in the future.

Marion's bound to be back soon.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

They'd be bound to know if it was all right.

4.239 Instead of beginning a question with 'can' or 'could' when you are making a request, you can begin it with 'is' and the impersonal pronoun 'it'. After 'it', you put an expression such as 'all right' and either a 'to'-infinitive clause or an 'if'-clause.

Is it all right for him to come in and sit and read his paper?

Is it okay if we have lunch here?

4.240 You can use 'want' instead of 'would like' to give an instruction or make a request. 'Want' is more direct and less polite than 'would like'.

I want you to turn to the front of the atlas.

I want to know what you think about this.

I want to have this pellet taken out.

'Wanted' is also sometimes used. It is more polite than 'want'.

I wanted to ask. Mr Nicholson, what was the effect of that newsreel on you?

Good morning, I wanted to book a holiday in the South of France.

4.241 You can use 'be going to' instead of 'will' to state an intention.

I am going to talk to Boris.

I'm going to show you our little school.

4.242 You use 'intend to' to state a fairly strong intention.

I intend to go to Cannes for a month in August.

I don't intend to stay too long.

4.243 You use 'be determined to' or 'be resolved to' to indicate a very strong intention to do something. 'Be resolved to' is rather formal.

I'm determined to try.

She was resolved to marry a rich American.

4.244 You can use 'have to' or 'have got to' instead of 'must' to indicate that it is important that you do something.

I have to get home now.

It's something I have got to overcome.

4.245 You can use 'I am not' instead of 'I will not' to say firmly that you ate unwilling to do or accept something. 'I am not' is followed by a present participle.

I am not staying in this hospital.

I'm not having dirty rugs.

4.246 You can use 'refuse' instead of 'will not' when you are refusing to do something. 'Refuse' is followed by a 'to'-infinitive clause.

I refuse to list possible reasons.

I refuse to pay.

4.247 You can use 'unwilling' or 'reluctant' with a 'to'-infinitive clause to say that someone is not willing to do or accept something.

He is unwilling to answer the questions.

I am always reluctant to explain anything as an expression of national character.

You can use several adjectives with 'not' to say that someone is unwilling to do or accept something.

Exporters are not willing to supply goods on credit.

I'm not prepared to teach him anything.

Thompson is not keen to see history repeat itself too exactly.

indicating importance 4.248 You can use 'have to' or 'have got to' instead of 'must' to say that something is necessary or extremely important.

The pine tree has to produce pollen in gigantic quantities.

We have to look more closely at the record of their work together.

This has got to be put right.

You've got to be able to communicate.

4.249 'Need to' can also be used instead of 'must'.

We need to change the balance of power.

You do not need to worry.

4.250 You can also say that something is important or necessary by using a sentence beginning with the impersonal pronoun 'it', followed by 'is', an adjective such as 'important' or 'necessary', and a 'that'-clause.

It is important that you should know precisely what is going on.

It is essential that immediate action should be taken.

It is vital that babies travel in government-approved carriers.

'Important' and 'necessary' can also be followed by a 'to'-infinitive clause.

It's important to recognise what industry needs at this moment.

It is necessary to examine this claim before we proceed any further.

4.251 You can use 'had better' instead of 'should' or 'ought to' to say that something is the right or correct thing to do. You use 'had better' with 'I' or 'we' to indicate an intention. You use it with 'you' when you are giving advice or a warning.

I think I had better show this to my brother.

He decided that we had better meet.

You'd better go.