USE

MODAL VERBS can have more than one meaning.

What does “can” mean in each sentence?

He can speak five

Can I go to the cinema?
languages.

In this case someone is In this case someone is

asking for PERMISSION talking about ABILITIES
 ABILITY
CAN / COULD (being able to do something)

He can run quite fast. ability in the present

He could run quite fast ability in the past

when he was younger.

I can’t speak English lack of ability in the

fluently. present

I couldn’t speak English at lack of ability in the

all a year ago. past
 PERMISSION
CAN / COULD / MAY
Can / could / may I answer asking for permission
the phone, please? to do something

CAN (less formal) COULD (formal) MAY (more formal)

Yes, you can / may. You
can / may answer your giving permission
phone.
No, you can’t / may not. refusing permission

To give or refuse permission we use CAN/MAY but not COULD.

 POSSIBILITY (1)
MAY / MIGHT / COULD
There is someone at the
to show that
door. It may / might / could something is possible,
be Ann. but not certain

MAY(more possible) MIGHT/COULD (less possible)

It may not / might not be to express a

present/future
Ann. uncertainty

We do not use COULDN’T to express uncertainty in the present.

 POSSIBILITY (2)
MUST
You haven’t eaten all to show that we are
sure something to be
day. You must be true (we have reasons
quite hungry. for it)

CAN’T / COULDN’T

She can’t be in Italy. I saw to show that

something is
her today.
impossible
We knew it couldn’t be true.
 OBLIGATION
MUST (strong obligation)

You must stop at a red to say that it is

necessary to do
light. something

SHOULD(N’T) (weak obligation)

He should drive more
carefully. to show what is right /
appropriate to do
You shouldn’t drink and
drive.
 PROHIBITION
MUSTN’T / CAN’T

You mustn’t / can’t smoke to show that something

is prohibited / not
here. allowed

Can’t tells us that something is against the rules. 

Mustn’t is usually used when the obligation comes

from the person who is speaking.
 ADVICE / SUGGESTIONS
SHOULD(N’T) / COULD

You should send him
to make a suggestion
an email. and give advice
You should see a doctor.

We could meet at the to make a suggestion

weekend.
 REQUESTS
CAN / COULD / WILL / WOULD

Would you carry this for

me please? to tell or ask someone
to do something
Could I have the bill please?

Can you take a message

please? can and will are less
Will you carry this for me polite
please?
 OFFERS / INVITATIONS
CAN / COULD / SHALL / WILL /
WOULD
We use Can I? / Shall
Can I help you? I?
Shall I call the police? to make offers

I can do that for you if you We say I can ... or I

like. could ... or I’ll (I
I’ll do that for you if you like. will) ... to make
I could give him a lift. an offer

Would you like my help? We use would you like

Would you like to go to the (to) ... for offers and
cinema?  invitations