Page 15 - Journeys English C1 (Grammar Book)

Literature 2

Modal verbs

The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, Use would to talk about hypothetical actions
should, ought (to), will, would, and shall. in the unreal past or future, often in conditional
• Modal verbs do not add -s in the third sentences.
person. If I won the lottery, I would buy a house by the
• The negative form of verbs is made by beach.
adding not, and questions are formed She would have attended if she had known about
by inversion. the event.
• Modal verbs are followed by a bare Use can to talk about a general possibility.
infinitive except for ought to. With practice, anyone can learn to play a musical
Note that have to is a semi-modal because it instrument.
has the same function as a modal verb but Use could to talk about possibility in the present,
conjugates as a normal verb. Need is also a past, or future.
semi-modal because sometimes it functions as a
I have some time before work. I could go for a walk
modal verb and others as a main verb.
in the park.
Modal verbs are usually used with a main verb
It could be cold in Rome in winter.
to express concepts such as ability, possibility,
The sky is getting dark. It could rain later in the
permission, obligation, and similar ideas.
evening.
However, note the difference in the examples
Ability and Inability
below.
Use can to talk about things you are able to do
I couldn’t go for a walk in the park. (it’s impossible
now.
to go for a walk)
He can/can’t play the piano.
I might/may not go for a walk in the park. (it’s
Use could to talk about a general ability in the possible that I won’t go for a walk)
past.

I could/couldn’t ride a bicycle when I was Permissions, Requests, and Offers
younger.
Use can or may to express permission in the
Use be able to to express ability/inability in the
present or the future.
present, past, and future.
You can/may use my laptop to finish your
Paul is/isn’t able to run quickly.
assignment.
She was/wasn’t able to paint before she started
Use could to express general permission in the
school.
past.
She was/wasn’t able to solve the puzzle.
In the past, visitors could take photographs inside
They will/won’t be able to attend the meeting the museum.
tomorrow.
Use may, might, can, or could to ask for
permission.
Possibility May/Might/Can/Could I borrow your pen for a
Use may or might to express a general possibility moment?
or a possibility on a specific occasion. Use can or may to give or deny permission.
He may/might be late to the meeting due to Yes, you can/may.
heavy traffic.
No, you can’t/may not.

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