Modal and related verbs:
Verb :Must
use and example :to talk about what is right or necessary
A good lifeguard must be an excellent swimmer
Verb :Have to
use and example :is very similar to must .
It can be used in all tenses
I had to wear braces for two years
You will have to keep this a secret
Have to / have got to: Often used to indicate that the obligation is from somebody else or from outside , while must is used to show it comes from the speaker . A common modifier with this from is really .
- Your friend really must study harder .
- My friend has to study harder .
Verb :Need
use and example :used as a main verb ( not an auxiliary )
- He needs to be uncourageous .
be required to: )Use in all tenses to refer to an ‘ outside authority that gives orders or sets rules)
- He was required to get proper qualification
be obliged to
- We are obliged to come school on time .
Verb: Should / shouldn’t
use and example: to give an opinion or advice . A common modifier with this form is really
Verb: ought to / oughtn’t
use and example:
- - Animals shouldn’t suffer like this .
- - You really ought to be an expert .
Verb:be suppose to
use and example:
- Animals are not supposed to suffer like this.
Verb:don’t have to
use and example: to mean " it isn’t necessary needn’t
- - He doesn’t have to work today .
- -Pupils don’t need to / needn’t do this .
Verb: are not required to
use and example: Human divers are not required to do the job .
Verb: are not obliged to
use and example: Actors are not obliged to be glamorous .
Verb: can / can’t
Verb: could / couldn’t
use and example:to describe ability or lack of ability
- - He could play chess better than anyone I knew .
Verb: be able to
use and example: to describe the completion of a specific action in the past.
Note : in negative sentences both be able to and could are possible.
Hamzah wasn’t able to / couldn’t visit us last week , but he was able to ( Not could) phone .
managed to
The police managed to find the child in time.
succeeded in
He succeeded in persuading her to help .
Verb: can / could
use and example: to ask for and give permission
Can / Could I ask you a question ?
I couldn’t stay out late when I was younger.
Verb: has been allowed
Why has pollution of the beach been allowed ?
Verb: are permitted to
We are permitted to enter the lab.
Verb: mustn’t
Verb: can’t
: couldn’t
use and example: to say that something isn’t permitted
People can’t park their cars here.
Verb: are not allowed to
use and example: Students are not allowed to go there .
Verb: were forbidden to
use and example: We were forbidden to use the internet in the office .
Verb: Can
use and example: to talk about things which are generally possible.
It can rain heavily in winter .
Verb: could / might
use and example: to say that a specific thing is possibly true
There could / might be life on other planets.
Verb: might
use and example: to talk about an uncertain future intention
We might go for a meal later.
Verb: be likely to
This film is likely to win a number of Oscars .
Verb: be bound to \ be sure to
- It’s a very difficult test. Some people are bound to ( are sure to ) fail this test.