Modal Verbs 3

Modal verbs expressing... Examples

You must see this movie. (strong advice) You mustnt drink and drive. (strong advice)

Suggestions
You should / ought to / are supposed to study for the tests. (advice) Use only should and be supposed to in questions.

She might / may get married. (50% of chance; its only a possibility) Compare (the verbs in the examples below are not modal verbs):

Certainty

Shes getting married. (youre sure / almost sure about the future) Shes going to get married. (youre sure / almost sure about the future) She will probably get married. (Its only a probability, youre not sure)

He must be a bank robber. (Im sure he is)

Conclusions

He cant be a bank robber. (Im sure he isnt) He might/could be a bank robber. (maybe he is, maybe he isnt)

He can / cant speak four languages. (present ability) He could / couldnt swim when he was a kid. (general past ability)

Abilities

He was / wasnt able to pass the final test last week. (specific past ability) Use be able to in other verb tenses: He will be able to move abroad. I have never been able to type fast.

Obligations
You must help me with the housework (imposed by the speaker) You have to pay income tax (not imposed by the speaker) You have got to pay income tax (not imposed by the speaker) You are supposed to respect old people (traditions, moral values)

In the negative, use dont have to for must / have to / have got to In questions, use do you have to...? for must / have to / have got to

Prohibition

You mustnt kill / cant kill/ are not allowed to kill.

Permission

You can travel in and out of Brazil. You are allowed to travel in and out of Brazil.

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