Can, Could, Be Able To Ask Permission / Give Permission

Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)

Ability/Lack of Ability
1. Can you lend me ten dollars?
Present and Future:
Can + base form of the verb (informal)
can/can’t + base form of the verb 1. You can borrow my car.
1. Tom can write poetry very well.
2. I can help you with that next week. Could + subject + base form of the verb (polite)
3. Lisa can’t speak French. 1. Could I have your number?
2. Could I talk to your supervisor please?
am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the
verb Make a suggestion – To make a suggestion use:
am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form
of the verb Could + base form of the verb (informal)
1. You could take the tour of the castle tomorrow.
1. Mike is able to solve complicated math Exercises: Can, Could, Be able to
equations
2. The support team will be able to help you in May, Might
about ten minutes.
3. I won’t be able to visit you next summer. Formal Permission / Formal Prohibition
may / may not + base form of the verb

Past: 1. You may start your exam now.

2. You may not wear sandals to work.
could / couldn’t + base form of the verb
Polite Request
1. When I was a child I could climb trees.
May + subject + base form of the verb
was / were + able to + base form of the verb
1. May I help you?
wasn’t / weren’t + able to + base form of the verb
hasn’t / haven’t + been able to + base form of the
Possibility / Negative Possibility
verb
may/ might + base form of the verb
1. We may go out for dinner tonight. Do you want
1. I wasn’t able to visit her in the hospital.
to join us?
2. He hasn’t been able to get in touch with the
2. Our company might get the order if the client
client yet.
agrees to the price.
Note: Can and could do not take an infinitive (to
verb) and do not take the future auxiliary will.
may not / might not + base form of the verb
 Incorrect: I can to help you this afternoon. 1. Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It’s
 Correct: I can help you this afternoon. very expensive.
 Correct: I will (I’ll) be able to help you this 2. They might not buy a house at all.
afternoon.
To Make a Suggestion (when there is no better
Possibility / Impossibility alternative)
may as well / might as well + base form of the verb
can / can’t + base form of the verb 1. You may as well come inside. John will be
1. You can catch that train at 10:43. home soon.
2. He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery. 2. We might as well take Friday off. There’s no
work to be done anyway.
could + base form of the verb
Polite Suggestion
1. I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day
might + base form of the verb
before.
1. You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our
special today.
Shall, Should, Ought to Note: have to and need to are often used in the
same context, but many times, need to is used to
express something that is less urgent, something in
To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion which you have a choice.
(When you are quite sure of a positive answer)
Shall + subject + base form of the verb Almost 100% Certain
must + base form of the verb
1. Shall we go for a walk?
Note: Shall is only used with I or we. It is used 1. Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His
instead of will only in formal English. French must be very good.

To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion To Persuade

(When you are not sure of a positive answer) must / have to + base form of the verb
Should + subject + base form of the verb 1. You must try this wine. It’s excellent.
1. Should I call a doctor? 2. You have to visit us while you’re in town.
2.
A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Prohibited or Forbidden
Happen must not / mustn’t + base form of the verb
should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb 1. You must not drive over the speed limit.
1. The proposal should be finished on time. 2. You mustn’t leave medicines where children
2. I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on can get to them.
time.
Lack of Necessity
To Give Advice don’t /doesn’t /didn’t + have to + base form of the
should / ought to + base form of the verb verb
1. You should check that document before you 1. You don’t have to park the car. The hotel valet
send it out. will do it for you.
2. You ought to have your car serviced before the 2. Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a
winter. holiday.
3. You didn’t have to shout. Everyone could hear
To Give Advice (about something you think you.
wrong or unacceptable)
shouldn’t + base form of the verb needn’t + base form of the verb
1. James shouldn’t teach him words like those. 1. You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t

have to, Needn’t Modals: Will / Would
will / won’t + base form of the verb
1. John will pick you up at 7:00am.
Necessity or Requirement 2. Beth won’t be happy with the results of the
exam.
Present and Future:
must / have to / need to + base form of the verb Polite Request or Statement
1. You must have a passport to cross the border. Will / Would + base form of the verb
2. Elisabeth has to apply for her visa by March 1. Will you please take the trash out?
10th. 2. Would you mind if I sat here?
3. I need to drop by his room to pick up a book. 3. I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.

Past: Habitual Past Action

had to / needed to + base form of the verb Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb
1. I had to work late last night. 1. When I was a child, I would spend hours
2. I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order playing with my train set.
to stay awake. 2. Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid.
He loves it now.