Can( Could)

Can-Present Indefinite. Could –Past Indefinite They express physical or mental ability. Can you swim? Possibility depending on real circumstances. I couldget only two tickets.Can( Could)have only two tenses the Present and the Past. To be able (to) can replace can(could) in the Present, Past and Future tenses. Present: I can pick a lot of apples off this tree. I am able to pick a lot of apples off this tree. Past: I could pick a lot of apples off this tree last year. I was able to pick a lot of apples off this tree last year. Future: I think I shall be able to pick a lot of apples off this tree next year.

May( might)

Maycan express permission or( in negative sentences) prohibition. “May we leave him with you?” “ No, you may not.”” MayI smoke here?” “ Yes , you may.

To allowis used instead of may ( might) in the past and future. “ I didn’t allowyou to stay here, did I” “ Will you allowNurlan to borrow your rifle?”

I might….= it is possible that I will… I might go to the cinema this evening. ( = it is possible that I will go) It mayrain. (= it is possible that it will rain) (supposition and uncertainty). It mightrain. (= it is possible that it will rain) ( greater uncertainty)

May( might)is used for the present and future. It may( might) be a bomb ( perhaps it’s a bomb) I may( might) go to the theatre tomorrow ( perhaps I will go)

May( might) + Continuous( be + ing)Marat may( might) be working late tonight.( perhaps he will be working late)

Must

Mustcan express duty, obligation, necessity, prohibition.

We use must when we think it is necessary to do something. The windows are very dirty. I mustclean them.

Mustcan also express supposition and assurance It mustbe cold outside. Your friend mustbe playing football now.

For the past ( yesterday/ last week) we use had to…(not must)They had to go to the bank yesterday. Have to is used instead of must in all tenses. You have to wait. You will have to wait a bit longer. But ! What did you have to do when the teacher came in? When do you have to be silent?

Mustn’t (=must not) I mustn’t( do something) =it is necessary not to do it, it is the wrong thing to do it. You mustn’ttouch the pictures. ( = don’t touch the pictures)

Needn’t ( = need not) I needn’t ( do something) = it is necessary to do it, I don’t need to do it You mustn’t go. You must stay here. You needn’tgo. You can stay here if you want.

Need

Needis used only in the Present Indefinite in questions and negatives. Need I go there?- Yes you must. You needn’t hurry.

Needbecomes a regular verb ( not modal verb)when it is used in the meaning to be in want of ( нуждаться) You needa long rest. I don’t need the carpet. We needed the TV. Will you need the table?

Why isn’t Marina in class?- She is ill.-100% sure She must be ill -95% sure. She maybe ill-50% sure. She might be ill-40% sure. She couldbe ill- 40% sure.

Should

Shouldhas only one form and can’t be changed.It is used to express obligation or duty. You shouldbe more careful. You shouldn’t give the child a penknife to play with. We can use should to give advice or to give an opinion. You look tired. You should go to bed. You shouldn’t do something = it isn’t a good thing to do. You shouldn’tbelieve everything you read in the newspapers.

You shouldhave done your homework yesterday. But you didn’t . ( the action was not carried out)

You shouldn’t have come late at night.(the action which didn’t have to be carried out was carried out)