Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Should | Anglais 1ère | Verbal Group

Modal Auxiliaries Overview

⚡ Modal Auxiliaries

Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Should

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Definition: Modal auxiliaries express ability, permission, possibility, necessity, and advice.

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Structure: Modal + base verb (no "to"), no -s in third person, no auxiliary for questions/negatives.

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Can: Ability (can swim), permission (can go), possibility (can happen).

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Could: Past ability (could swim), polite request (could you help?), conditional.

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Tip: Remember: modal + base verb (no "to")

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Attention: No "to" after modals (can go, not can to go)

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Rule: No "s" in 3rd person singular (he can, not he cans)

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Method: Practice with meaning groups (ability, permission, obligation)

Modal Exercises

1 Ability Expressions

Instructions :

Choose the correct modal to express ability in different contexts.

Step 1: "When I was young, I ___ run fast" (could)

Expressing past ability → Use "could"

Complete: "When I was young, I could run fast"

Step 2: "She ___ speak three languages" (can)

Expressing present ability → Use "can"

Complete: "She can speak three languages"

Step 3: "If I practiced more, I ___ learn guitar" (could)

Conditional ability → Use "could"

Complete: "If I practiced more, I could learn guitar"

Step 4: "Unfortunately, I ___ lift heavy weights now" (can't)

Present inability → Use "can't"

Complete: "Unfortunately, I can't lift heavy weights now"

Step 5: "He ___ drive when he was 18" (could)

Past ability → Use "could"

Complete: "He could drive when he was 18"

Answers :

1. could, 2. can, 3. could, 4. can't, 5. could

Ability Rules :

• Can: Present ability

• Could: Past ability or conditional ability

• Can't/Couldn't: Inability

2 Permission Expressions

Instructions :

Complete the permission requests and grants with appropriate modals.

Step 1: "___ I borrow your pen?" (May)

Polite permission request → Use "May"

Complete: "May I borrow your pen?"

Step 2: "Yes, you ___" (can)

Granting permission → Use "can"

Complete: "Yes, you can"

Step 3: "Students ___ use their phones during exams" (can't)

Denying permission → Use "can't"

Complete: "Students can't use their phones during exams"

Step 4: "___ I sit here?" (May)

Polite seating request → Use "May"

Complete: "May I sit here?"

Step 5: "You ___ smoke in this area" (mustn't)

Prohibition → Use "mustn't"

Complete: "You mustn't smoke in this area"

Answers :

1. May, 2. can, 3. can't, 4. May, 5. mustn't

Permission Rules :

• May: Formal/polite permission request

• Can: Informal permission grant

• Can't/Mustn't: Prohibition

3 Possibility Expressions

Instructions :

Complete the possibility statements with appropriate modals.

Step 1: "It ___ rain tomorrow" (might)

Uncertain future possibility → Use "might"

Complete: "It might rain tomorrow"

Step 2: "She ___ be at home now" (may)

Present possibility → Use "may"

Complete: "She may be at home now"

Step 3: "The train ___ be delayed" (could)

Possible situation → Use "could"

Complete: "The train could be delayed"

Step 4: "He ___ have missed the bus" (must)

Logical deduction → Use "must"

Complete: "He must have missed the bus"

Step 5: "You ___ not want to go there" (might)

Uncertain advice → Use "might"

Complete: "You might not want to go there"

Answers :

1. might, 2. may, 3. could, 4. must, 5. might

Possibility Rules :

• May/Might: Permission or possibility (might = less likely)

• Could: Possible situation

• Must (deduction): Logical conclusion

Advanced Modal Exercises

4 Obligation and Advice

Instructions :

Complete the obligation and advice expressions with appropriate modals.

Step 1: "You ___ study hard for the exam" (must)

Strong obligation → Use "must"

Complete: "You must study hard for the exam"

Step 2: "Students ___ wear uniforms" (have to)

External rule → Use "have to"

Complete: "Students have to wear uniforms"

Step 3: "You ___ eat more vegetables" (should)

Advice → Use "should"

Complete: "You should eat more vegetables"

Step 4: "He ___ not smoke so much" (shouldn't)

Negative advice → Use "shouldn't"

Complete: "He shouldn't smoke so much"

Step 5: "We ___ arrive on time" (must)

Strong requirement → Use "must"

Complete: "We must arrive on time"

Answers :

1. must, 2. have to, 3. should, 4. shouldn't, 5. must

Obligation Rules :

• Must: Speaker's strong opinion

• Have to: External requirement

• Should: Advice/recommendation

5 Modal Perfect Constructions

Instructions :

Complete the modal perfect constructions for past situations.

Step 1: "She ___ have studied harder" (should)

Past regret → Use "should have"

Complete: "She should have studied harder"

Step 2: "You ___ have told me earlier" (could)

Past possibility → Use "could have"

Complete: "You could have told me earlier"

Step 3: "He ___ have passed the exam" (must)

Past logical deduction → Use "must have"

Complete: "He must have passed the exam"

Step 4: "They ___ have arrived by now" (should)

Past expectation → Use "should have"

Complete: "They should have arrived by now"

Step 5: "We ___ have prepared better" (ought to)

Past obligation → Use "ought to have"

Complete: "We ought to have prepared better"

Answers :

1. should, 2. could, 3. must, 4. should, 5. ought to

Modal Perfect Rules :

• Should have: Past regret or expected completion

• Could have: Past possibility

• Must have: Past logical deduction

Key Points Summary

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Base Form Rule: All modals are followed by base form of verbs (no "to")

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Meaning Groups: Ability (can/could), Permission (may/can), Possibility (may/might/could), Obligation (must/should)

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Modal Perfect: Modal + have + past participle for past situations

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No Third Person -s: He can, not he cans

Ability

can, could

be able to

Permission

may, can

mustn't

Obligation

must, should

have to

Can, Could, May, Might, Must, ShouldThe Verbal Group - Modal Auxiliaries and Semi-modals

Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Should
The Verbal Group - Modal Auxiliaries and Semi-modals