1. Some example uses of Modal Verbs
2. Obligation
   1. Must
      1. You must wear a crash helmet on a motorbike - it is the law.
   2. Must Not
      1. You mustn't get on a train without a valid ticket.
   3. Have To
      1. You have to stamp your ticket when you get on a bus in Rome.
3. Prohibition
   1. Cannot
      1. You can't drive a car without a license.
4. Choice
   1. Can
      1. You can either take the bus or the metro.
   2. Could
      1. You could take a taxi if you are in a hurry.
5. Suggestion
   1. Should
      1. You should see a dentist if you have a toothache.
   2. Should not
      1. You shouldn't drink alcohol if you are going to drive.
   3. Ought to
      1. You ought to phone your mother on her birthday - it's a good idea.
   4. Ought Not to
      1. You ought not go out in the rain if you don't have an umbrella - it's a bad idea.
6. Ability
   1. Can
      1. I can ride a horse - I had lessons when I was a child.
   2. Cannot
      1. I can't swim - in fact I am terrified of water.
   3. Could
      1. I could speak Danish when I was a child.
   4. Could not
      1. I couldn't drive a car until I had lots of lessons.
7. Permission
   1. Can
      1. Can I open the window ? It's too hot in here.
   2. May
      1. May I open the window ? It's too hot in here.
8. Request
   1. Could
      1. Could you carry this for me ? I have too much to carry.
   2. Would
      1. Would you get me a newspaper when you go to the shops please ?
   3. Will
      1. Will you answer the phone please - I am busy.
9. Confirmation
   1. Shall
      1. Shall I get pizza for dinner tonight ?
      2. I shall meet you at the station at 7pm
   2. Shall can only be used in the 1st person I/We - Not he/she/you/It etc
10. Possibility
    1. Might
       1. He might be in the office on tuesday - I'm not sure.
    2. May
       1. She may come to the meeting - she's not sure of her schedule at the moment.
    3. Could
       1. He could be on the fourth floor - he has a meeting there later.
11. Deduction
    1. Can't have
       1. He can't have been at work on Tuesday - I saw him at the stadium.
       2. Negative certain deduction.
    2. Must Have
       1. He must have been in the office - his car was there.
       2. Positive certain deduction.
12. Offer
    1. Will
       1. I'll drive you to the station if you want.