Modal verbs in English form a special group and differ in use from all other verbs. With the help of such verbs we talk about our skills, requests, ask permission, prohibit something, give advice and talk about obligations. That is why it is very important to understand this topic.

In this article we will look at:

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs unlike other verbs, they do not indicate an action (go, read, study), but show an attitude towards these actions (must go, can read, should study).

Common: “I’m swimming.”
Modal: "I I can swim".

Common: “It works.”
Modal: "He must work".

With the help of such verbs we express opportunity, duty, necessity, readiness, desire, permission to do something.

The following modal verbs exist in English:

These verbs have features of use that distinguish them from other verbs.

Features of modal verbs in English

When using modal verbs, you must remember:

1. Modal verbs are independent and do not require auxiliary verbs

That is, in negative and interrogative sentences we do not need to use do/does, did, will, am/are/is.

To compose negative sentence, we need to add a negative particle not to the modal verb itself.

Wrong

He will not come.
He shouldn't come.

They don't can swim.
They can't swim.

Right

He shouldnot come.
He shouldn't come.

They cannot swim.
They can't swim.

To Ask a Question with a modal verb, we simply move it to the first place.

Wrong:

Will he must help?
Should he help?

Does she may ask?
Can she ask?

Right

Must he help?
Should he help?

May she ask?
Can she ask?

An exception to this rule is the modal verb have to.

He didn't have to go.
He didn't have to go.

Did he have to go?
Did he have to go?

2. Such verbs do not change their ending depending on the character.

In some tenses, we change the ending of the verb if the action is performed by someone alone: ​​she (she), he (he), it (it), her friend (her friend), his sister (his sister).

I like ice-cream.
I like ice cream.

She like s ice-cream
She loves ice cream.

Modal verbs always remain the same, regardless of who performs the action:

She should read.
She should read it.

The exception is the same verb have to, which changes to has to if the action is performed by he, she, it.

They have to write.
They need to write it down.

He has to write.
He needs to write it down.

3. After modal verbs there is no need to put the particle to

Usually the particle to separates two actions, indicating that one of the verbs is in the initial form (I want to read t, I forgot yes t, I'll go swimming t).

I want to sleep.
I want to sleep.

After modal verbs we never put the particle to:

You should sleep.
You should get some sleep.

Exceptions are those modal verbs that themselves go together with to: have to, had to, ought to, be to.

I have to sleep.
I need to sleep.

As you can see, modal verbs have significant differences in use from other verbs in the English language. So be careful when using them in your speech.

Now let's look at what modal verbs exist in English.

Table of basic modal verbs in English with translation

To understand what modal verbs exist and when to use each of them, let's look at the table.

If you are just starting to learn modal verbs, then study them separately. At the beginning of the article, I provided links to articles where each verb is described in great detail. Go ahead and learn. If you know them, then proceed to the consolidation task.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. He can speak French.
2. You must go to this lecture.
3. We agreed to go to the store.
4. She can take my phone.
5. He needs to talk to her.
6. You should rest.
7. He should make peace with her.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

Modal verbs in English, these are verbs that in themselves do not denote an action or state, but reflect, as they say in textbooks, “the speaker’s attitude towards the action.”

What does it mean? Let's take the verb can(to be able to do something) - in itself it does not denote an action or state, like the verbs “fly”, “see”, “get scared”. But in combination with another verb it denotes the same attitude to action - in this case it is ability perform an action.

I can fix your TV in two minutes – I Can fix your TV in two minutes.

I can swim in cold water – I Can swim in cold water.

Modal verbs include:

• (could)- be able, be capable.
• - to be due.
• – should, must (e.g. “you should...”).
• (might)– expresses that there is permission (e.g. “I can…”)

Note: This article covers the most common modal verbs.

Why is it important to know modal verbs?

Modal verbs are used VERY often in spoken and written speech. Especially - it is one of the 10 most common verbs in the English language (see) and almost no conversation can take place without it.

In addition to the basic meanings, it is useful to know the basic nuances of using modal verbs. For example, in the phrase “You must help Bill” verb must expresses an obligation: “You must help Bill.” And in the sentence “You must be Bill” the same must has a completely different meaning: “You must be Bill.”

Features of modal verbs

Modal verbs are a special group of verbs (fortunately, very small in number) that live according to their own separate rules. Here are their main features.

1. Modal verbs in English are used with a semantic verb in, and the particle to is not placed between verbs.

Right:

• I canbuy you a candy – I Can buy candy for you.
• I mustdecline your offer – I must reject your suggestion.

Wrong:

• I can tobuy you a candy.
• I must todecline your offer.

2. Modal verbs are not conjugated, no endings are added to them, including the ending -s in the third person singular.

Right:

• He can walk on a wire. - He can walk on a tightrope.
• She must go. - She must go.

Wrong:

• He cans walk on a wire.
• She musts go.

3. Modal verbs are not used in the future tense with an auxiliary verb.

In most cases, modal verbs can refer to action in the future, this becomes clear from the context.

• I can help you tomorrow. - I I can (I can) help you tomorrow.
• We must get back home by midnight. - We must be back home by midnight.
• He may pass his exam later with another group. - He may (can) take the exam later with another group.
• You should ask her out tomorrow. - You should invite her somewhere tomorrow.

4. The verbs can and may have past tense forms.

These forms are respectively:

I also note that should is the past tense form of a modal verb shall, which is used quite rarely in modern English, see.

5. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - the modal verb is placed before the subject:

• I can drive - Can I drive?
• She could help us – Could she help us?
• We must go - Must are we going?
• I may ask - May I ask?
• You should try - Should I try?

6. The negative form is formed with the help of the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb (and is written together with the verb can). In colloquial speech, negative forms are usually shortened.

• cannot – can’t
• could not – couldn’t
• may not – may not
• might not – mightn’t
• shouldn't – shouldn't
• must not – mustn’t

Note:

Mustnot has not the opposite must meaning. For example:

You must not- does not mean “must not”, that is, “you have no obligation” (here “you don’t have to”), but “you cannot”, “you are prohibited”, “forbidden”. In Russian, sentences with a prohibition expressed as must not are often translated into impersonal sentences.

• You mustn't enter that room – To you forbidden go into that room.
• You mustn't smoke here – Here prohibited smoke.

May not also has the meaning of prohibition, but softer than must not.

• You may not go there - to you it is forbidden go there.
• You may not touch it – to you it is forbidden it's touching.

Cannot can mean both physical impossibility, inability, and a ban in a mild form.

• You can't take in all those kittens. - You can not shelter all these kittens (this is impossible).
• You can't park here – Here it is forbidden park (this is prohibited).

Synonyms of modal verbs

Modal verbs have non-modal synonyms that are conjugated according to general rules.

These are the synonyms:

• Can = be able to (be able)
• Must = have to (to be due)
• May = be allowed to (have permission)
• Should = be supposed to (imply, be due) - not in all cases.

Modal verbs are considered insufficient - this means that they do not have future tense forms, some (must) do not have past tense forms. Using synonyms you can replace missing forms of modal verbs.

Replacing a modal verb with a synonym is not entirely complete and accurate. For example, must can mean moral necessity, duty, and have to can mean forced necessity.

I must help my parents. - I must help your parents (duty, obligation).

My colleague is being late for the meeting, I have to wait for him. – My colleague is late for a meeting, I must(I have to) wait for him.

Basic uses of modal verbs

Modal verb Can (could)

The verb can is used for:

1. Expressions of opportunity, ability to do something, question, polite request:

Can is used in the present and future tenses, and could in the past tense.

Present tense:

I can show you new world - I Can show you a new world.

I can't believe it! – I can not believe it!

In interrogative form the request is obtained:

Can I help you? - Can can I help you?

Can do you do me a favour? - You you can do me a favor?

Sentences with the negative form can’t can express not only impossibility, but also a prohibition:

You can't move this stone. - You can not move this stone (it is too heavy).

You can't walk on the grass. – It is forbidden walking on the grass (this is prohibited).

Past tense:

He could play guitar - He knew how to play the guitar.

I couldn't forgive him - I couldn't forgive him.

Interrogative sentences with could express a polite request towards a second person. More polite than with can.

Could do you pass me that book? – Could you will you pass me that book?

Future– the verb can does not change in any way, its relation to the future is clear from the context:

I can talk to you later. - I I can (I can) talk to you later.

James can fix your car tomorrow. – James may (can) fix your car tomorrow.

2. “It can’t be that...”

This combination is also used in negative sentences when the speaker does not believe, does not allow the possibility that the action actually happened. When translating such phrases into Russian, the words “can’t be”, “couldn’t”, “really” are usually used.

Lara cannot have done it! – Lara I could not such do!

No, he cannot have said it! - No he could not such say!

Can she have said it? – Really she is said?

Modal verb Must

1. Ought (to be obliged to do something)

You must be Peter - You, there must be, Peter.

These must be his footsteps - This is, there must be, his traces.

You should have turned left! - You had to turn left! (and turned right)

You should have seen this place! - You needed to see this place! (but you didn’t see)

3. “In theory it should”

At the verb should there is also the meaning “in theory should”, that is, there is some expected, intended action, but it may not be carried out. In this case, the turnover is more often used be supposed to.

I should (am supposed to) be at work now, but the show is so damn interesting – I must be (supposedly) at work now, but this series is damn interesting.

Doctors say that we should (are supposed to) exercise if we want to stay healthy – Doctors say that we need to(we are supposed to) exercise to stay healthy.

Modal verb May (might)

1. Have permission, permission

In present and future tense

You may do what you want – You can do what you want (present tense).

You may play with your friends later. – You can play with your friends later (future tense)

May I ask you a question? – Can(can) I ask you a question?

In a negative form may not expresses a prohibition:

You may not play with them. - You it is forbidden playing with them (I forbid it).

In the past time to express permission, it is not the verb might that is used (it expresses an assumption, see below), but the phrase be allowed to- have permission.

I was allowed to continue working on my project. - To me allowed continue working on my project.

We were not allowed to wear uniform. - Us not allowed wear a uniform.

2. Assumption

The verb used to make a guess is may or might, in this case it is translated as “possibly”, “perhaps”, etc. The difference between may and might is that may expresses the speaker’s greater confidence in the assumption. However, this difference may be highly context dependent or may not be significant.

Present and future tense

Scheme: May / might + infinitive (without to)

You might know that place – You, Maybe, you know this place (present tense).

He may visit us tonight – He, May be, will visit us in the evening (future tense).

Past tense:

Scheme: May / might + have + Past Participle

She might have forgotten the documents at home. - She, maybe I forgot documents at home.

I may have seen you before. - I, may have seen you before.

Video lessons on modal verbs

In the grammar section of Puzzle English there are several video lessons on the topic of modal verbs, here is the first one: “The Verb Can”.

By going to the “Grammar” section on the Puzzle English service, you can watch the rest of the video lessons (they are available for free), as well as complete the exercises.

Everyone knows that a verb denotes an action. But it is not always the case. In English there are several special verbs that do not indicate action, but are used in combination with other verbs to indicate an attitude towards action. These verbs are called modal.

Action attitude is when you can/can't or should/shouldn't do something. Modal verbs are used to express an attitude towards an action. The table of basic modal verbs is given below. The table contains 11 modal verbs of the English language with translation, examples and detailed explanation of the main meanings! Can, must, may, etc. The table will help you quickly navigate when translating sentences containing modal verbs into English.

How to build sentences with modal verbs?

Modal verbs behave differently from regular verbs. In order to construct a sentence with a modal verb grammatically correctly, you need to know and follow a number of rules.

1) Modal verbs are not used by themselves. Any sentence with a modal verb must also contain a second - semantic verb. Please note the following points:

• The semantic verb is placed immediately after the modal verb.
• The particle to is not placed between the modal and semantic verbs. Exceptions to this rule are the modal verbs ought to, be to, have to.
• The semantic verb always comes in an indefinite form.

2) Modal verbs do not change for persons. The ending –s in the third person is not added to them. Exception - have to.

To write correctly:

She can play the piano.
She can play the piano.

It is incorrect to write:

She can play the piano.

3) Interrogative and negative sentences with modal verbs are formed without the auxiliary verb do. In interrogative sentences, the modal verb is placed immediately before the subject. The exception again is have to.

Examples of interrogative sentences with translation:

Can I help you?
I can help you?
Will you give me some money?
Could you give me some money?

Examples of negative sentences with translation:

I can't go faster.
I can't go faster.

I don't have to do it.
I shouldn't do this.

4) Combinations of modal verbs with the particle not have a shortened form. Look at some examples of shortened forms of English modal verbs in the table below:

The general rule is - instead of a particle not an ending is added to the modal verb n't. But there are 3 exceptions to this rule. They are shown in the following table.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Modal verbs in English. Modal verbs.

In this lesson we will look at a special category of English verbs that are used to express possibilities, necessity, ability, certainty, obligation and some other goals of the speaker. These verbs are noticeably different from ordinary verbs in English and are called modal.

Here are the main modal verbs to remember:

can - be able to, be able to
could - could, could
must - must, necessarily
have to - must, optional, should
may - it is possible
might - possible (a little outdated)
should - should
ought to - should (a little outdated)
need to - necessary, necessary

Due to their special semantics and form of agreement, modal verbs are considered as a separate grammatical category. In affirmative sentences they are used as part of the predicate, and in negative and interrogative ones they perform the role of the auxiliary verb. For example:

(+) He can sing. - He can (can) sing.
(-) He can’t (can’t) sing. - He doesn’t know how (can) sing.
(?) Can he sing?- Can (Can) he sing?

There are several rules that will help you correctly construct phrases and sentences with modal verbs:

1. Modal verbs are not used by themselves, but only in combination with other verbs. For example:

James can drink a bottle of whiskey. - James can drink a bottle of whiskey.

2. Most modal verbs never does not change according to gender, numbers and persons. For example:

I must find that book. - I have to find that book. (1st person singular)
He must find that book. - He must find that book. (3rd person singular)
We must find that book. - We have to find that book. (1st person plural)

The exceptions are the modal verbs have to (must) and need to (necessary). For example:

You have to clean the room. - You must (you should) clean the room. (2nd person plural)
He has to clean the room. - He must (he should) clean the room. (3rd person singular)

I need to learn how to drive. - I need to learn to drive a car. (1st person singular)
She needs to learn how to drive. - She needs to learn to drive a car. (3rd person singular)

3. Modal verbs do not change shape those. do not form an infinitive, gerund or participle like basic English verbs. Let's look at the changes in form using the example of the verb help:

(to) help (infinitive) - helping (gerund) - helped (participle)

4. Always used after modal verbs infinitive verb without the particle to. For example:

We can change the rules of the game. - We can change the rules of this game.
He must pay for the tickets. - He must pay for the tickets.

5. Most modal verbs are considered auxiliary verbs, so they can independently form their own questions and denials. For example:

(-) You can"t (cannot) just leave. - You can’t just leave.
(-) Chris shouldn't (should not) lie to his parents. - Chris shouldn't lie to his parents.

(?) Could you repeat the sentence, please? - Could you repeat (this) sentence, please?
(?) What can I do for you? - What can I do for you?

Exceptions are modal verbs have to and need to, which are not auxiliary. In this regard, to form their questions and denials, they need the help of the auxiliary verbs do and does (3rd person singular). For example:

(-) You don"t have to go there. - You don’t need (not necessarily) to go there.
(-) My dad doesn't need to work. - My dad doesn't need (no need) to work.

(?) Does it have to be this way? - Should it be like this?
(?) Do I need to apologise? - Do I need to apologize?

6. Some modal verbs have no future or past tense forms. Let's look at the temporary table:

All modal verbs refer to certain semantic groups:

Verbs of possibility
- verbs of probability
- verbs of permissions and prohibitions
- verbs of (absence of) obligation
- verbs of requests and offers
- verbs of advice
- verbs of (lack of) necessity

Let's look at each group in more detail.

I. So, for example, possibility in English can be expressed by the modal verbs can and could. With these verbs we can talk about physical abilities and capabilities. For example:

Julia can climb the trees easily. - Julia can easily climb trees.
I could fall and break my leg. - I could have fallen and broken my leg.

As can be seen from the examples, there is a slight difference between the modal verbs can and could: can is a present tense verb, and could is a past tense verb. However, there are cases when could is used in the present tense, to make the conversation more official tone. For example:

Can I take your book? -Can I borrow your book? (friendly tone)
Could I borrow your book? - Can I borrow your book from you? (more formal tone)

II.Basic verbs of probability- these are may and might. But probability can also be expressed using the verbs can and could. Depending on the context, modal verbs of probability can be interchangeable. Let's look at examples:

Don"t touch it! It may/ might fall apart. - Don't touch it! It may fall apart.
She may/ might pass the exam. - Perhaps she will pass the exam.
It can/ may/ might rain. - It might rain.
You could/ may/ might/ can lose your job. - You could lose your job.

III. Verbs of probability (may, might, can, could) can also be used to express permissions or prohibitions. For example:

(?) May/ might/ can/ could/ speak to the bank manager, please? - Can I speak to the bank manager, please?

As can be seen from the question, in requests to allow something, you can use any of these verbs. The only difference will be in the formality of the situation. The verb can is the simplest way of addressing, while may, might and could are more formal.

Let's try to answer this question affirmatively (permission) and negatively (prohibition):

(+) Yes, you may/ might/ can. - Yes. Can.
(-) No, you may not/ might not/ can not. - No you can not.

The verb could is not used as an answer in such situations.

IV. Verbs obligations are the verbs must and have to. They differ little from each other in meaning, but in form they are quite different. So, for example, the verb must is auxiliary those. itself constructs questions and negations, but the verb have to does not. Or the verb must has no form neither the present time nor the future, and the verb have to has, so when you need to express an obligation not in the present tense, only the verb have to is used. Let's look at some examples:

You must leave immediately. - You must leave immediately.
I have to visit the dentist. - I need (should) visit the dentist.

(-) You mustn"t smoke here. - You can’t smoke here.
(-) You don"t have to smoke here. - You don’t need to smoke here.
(?) Must we obey? - Should we obey?
(?) Does he have to travel that far? - Should he travel such a distance?

We had to open the door to let the smoke out. “We had to open the doors so the smoke could come out.” (past)
My mum will have to pay my school fee. - My mother will have to pay the school fee. (future)

The verbs must and have to can be used interchangeably in the present tense, but must is considered to imply a stronger duty, while have to reserves the right to choose. For example:

You must go to this party. It's very important. - You (necessarily) must go to this party. It is very important.
I think, you have to go to this party. - I think you should go to this party. (but it's up to you to decide whether to go or not).

While the verbs must and have to are very similar, their negative forms have completely different meanings: mustn"t - impossible, prohibited; don"t have to - no need, not necessary. Let's look at the following examples:

You mustn"t smoke at school. It"s prohibited. - You can't smoke at school. It is forbidden. (ban)
Actually, you don"t have to come with me. I can go myself. - In principle, you don’t have to come with me. I can go myself. (lack of obligation).

V. Requests are very similar to permissions, therefore, using the verbs we already know can and could we can make a request. For example:

Can/ Could you help me with this bag, please? - Could you help me with this bag, please?

However, you can also use modal verbs to ask for help: will and would. For example:

Will/ Would you help me with ,y homework? - Could you help me with my homework?

And the best phrase to express a request is the phrase Would you mind + gerund verb. Let's consider in a sentence:

Would you mind helping me? - Can you help me?

To express offers of help and simply interesting proposals, the verb shall is used, and less often will. For example:

Shall I help you with your begs? - Do you need help with your bags?
Shall I make you a cup of tea? - Should I make you a cup of tea?
Shall we go to the cinema? - Shouldn't we go to the cinema?
Here, I shall/ will help you. - Wait, now I will help you.
I will bring you some water. - I'll bring you some water.

VI. Advice is given in English using modal verbs should and ought to. These verbs are equivalent in meaning, but should is a more informal word and is used more often. Let's look at examples of advice:

You should/ ought to go to the dentist. - You should go to the dentist.
The weather is chilly. You should/ ought to put on your coat. - The weather is cool. You should wear a coat.
When you talk to older people, you should/ ought to be more polite. - When you talk to people older than you, you should be more polite.

The verb should has both a negative form - shouldn't, which is also used for advice, and an interrogative form. For example:

(-) You shouldn't stay there for a long time. - You shouldn't stay there for a long time.
(-) She shouldn’t talk to me like that. - She shouldn’t talk to me like that.

(?) Should I call the police? - Should I call the police?
(?) Should I hide while it "s not late? - Should I (should) hide before it’s too late?

The verb ought to does not have a negative or interrogative form.

VII. The main verb of need in English is the modal verb - need to. But necessity can also be expressed using the verb have to. For example:

You need to lose some weight. = You have to lose some weight. You need (should, must) lose some weight.

These same verbs are used to express lack of need. You just need to use the negative form, and since the verbs need to and have to are not auxiliary, the words don"t and doesn"t need help. Let's look at examples:

You don"t have to cook if you don"t like it. -You don't have to cook if you don't like it.
He doesn't need to cut his hair. - He doesn't need to cut his hair.

In English there are many examples of the use of modal verbs in national sayings. Here you will find some of them:

Hares may pull dead lions by the beard. - Hares can pull a dead lion’s beard./ A dog that has died will not bite.
No living man all things can. - No person can do everything./ You cannot embrace the immensity.
Bird may be known by its song. - You can recognize a bird by the way it sings.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie. - When a tree falls, that’s where it should lie./ Where the tree leaned, that’s where it fell.
As you brew, so must you drink. - What you brewed, then dissolve.
Things past cannot be remembered. - The past cannot be returned.
Drowning man will catch at a straw. - A drowning man clings to a straw.
Needs must when the devil drives. - You have to when the devil urges you on. / Nothing can be done against necessity.

Thus, we became acquainted with a special grammatical topic in the English language - modal verbs, as well as some rules for their use. Modal verbs are used quite often and will appear more than once in sentences. If you pay attention to their use in sentences, and also try to come up with your own examples, then the knowledge will not be in vain.

In our speech, we not only reflect what is happening around us and convey the action, but also express our opinions, make assumptions, predict probable or unlikely actions. So that each of us can express ourselves and somehow influence events while speaking English, we should definitely learn the features of Modal Verbs.

The difference between these parts of speech is that they do not describe an action and do not answer the question “what to do?” Their purpose is to show the relationship to the predicate verb.

Distinctive features of modal verbs in English

These representatives of grammar can be called inferior, even slightly defective. Despite the fact that they are called verbs, modal verbs still do not have the characteristics that we are accustomed to noticing in ordinary representatives of this group. For example:

• do not change by person: I can, she may, you must. Compare: I take, she takes, you take (exceptions to be, to have).
• It is known that almost all verbs can form participle, infinitive or gerund forms. These are the same do not have impersonal forms, that is, the endings ing .
• Two verbs in an English sentence can very rarely stand side by side; in most cases they require an infinitive with the particle to after them. But after modals it is always used bare infinitive (without to) . Although there are three exceptions: have to, be to, ought to.
• when forming negatives and questions Modal Verbs do not require auxiliary verbs. And some of them coincide in form with Auxiliary Verbs.
• not used independently, serve as a complement to the predicate

Modal verbs include:

1. may/might
2. to be to
3. have to
4. ought to
5. shall
6. should
7. would.

Table of modal verbs

Some "members" of this group have past and future forms, and some do not. But to express relations in other times, so-called equivalents are used, which replace them in certain cases.

As you know, memory quickly remembers schematically presented material. That is why we will try to display all Modal Verbs in such a way that it is understandable, accessible and easy for you to remember.

Constructing different types of sentences

1. Almost all modal verbs in English do not require auxiliary verbs neither when constructing denials or questions. This simplifies the language. When forming questions, the modal verb is placed before the subject, and when negated, not is added to it. In colloquial speech, abbreviated forms are often used:

cannot (written together)=can't, must not=mustn't, have not=haven't, is not=isn't, shall not=shan't, should not=shouldn't, will not=won' t, need not=needn't, ought not=oughtn't, daren't

She cannot stay at home. — She can't stay at home.

You don't need to go to school. - You don't have to go to school.

Could you show me the way to the staition? — Could you show me the way to the station?

You must not smoke here. - You shouldn't smoke here.

May I sit down? -Can I sit down?

Why should I go there? - Why should I go there? (Why on earth would I go there?)

2. And here are the forms have to/has to require auxiliary verbs.

I will not have to go there. — I don’t have to go there (I don’t have to).

Did you have to meet with his parents? -Did you have to meet his parents?

He is lucky! He doesn’t have to get up at 6 o’clock. - He's lucky! He doesn't have to get up at 6 o'clock.

When and what to use?

Many modal verbs are very close in meaning, and in the Russian version they have exactly the same translation. Despite this, each of them has its place in English grammar. When choosing the appropriate option, it is necessary to analyze the sentence, or rather its semantic side, shade.

1. Opportunity performing an action can be expressed using several verbs . Can, could expresses an objective existing possibility as a fact. May, might in affirmative sentences it is translated “perhaps, you can, could.”

It can be queit cold there. — It can be cold there (sometimes or often it is cold there).

She may visit her mother. — She may be visiting her mother (or maybe not).

2. Request can sound in different ways in English. So, must used to convey an urgent request (must). Can, could (in interrogative sentences) convey a polite connotation: could you please. With the same shade it is also used will, would only in question phrases. May and might used in ordinary questions and conveys some kind of request.

May I buy these trousers? —Can I buy these trousers?

Could you give me your dictionary? - Could you give me your dictionary?

Would you open the window? — Could you open the window?

You must come and see us. - You should come and see us.

3. If you're into something unsure, doubtful then it is best to use can, could (it really can’t be that). In this shade, this modal verb is used in general questions. And here's yours skepticism about the situation, distrust can be expressed using can't, couldn't in negative sentences: it cannot be that; it is incredible that; hardly.

Could the rubber have been one of them? - Was the thief one of them?

She looks so young. She can’t be 30. - She looks so young. She can't be 30.

4. Speaking out disapproval or reproach don't forget to use the construct might+ Perfect Infinitive in affirmative sentences (could and, could and). Or, reproaching for work not done, which someone was obliged to do out of moral duty, can be expressed using should (shouldn’t), ought to (oughtn’t to): should, should, should, should.

You ought to have washed the car yesterday. — You should have washed the car yesterday.

He should have bought milk. - You should buy some milk.

We might have visited him today. — We could visit him today.

5. Commitment: necessity, inevitability - must , due to circumstances - have to , based on the plan - to be to , with a hint of advice or wishes - should moral duty - ought to.

You ought to help your parents. — You must help your parents (moral duty).

You should help your parents. — You should help your parents (advice).

You have to work more because your parents can’t. -You have to work more because your parents can't.

You must help your parents. They did it when you were a child. - You must help your parents. They worked when you were a child.

6. Order, give instructions possible using to be to (planned activity, agreement) - must, must; should (advice) - necessary, should; requesting instructions or offering your help shall (only in questions); coercion or strict order - shall (+, - sentences)

When he comes nodody shall say a word. - When he comes, no one should talk to him. (Strict order, coercion)

Shall we leave the room? - Should we leave the room? (Request instructions)

You should be more polite with your sister. - You need to be more polite with your sister. (advice)

I am to call him in the morning. — I have to call him in the morning (Planned).

As you can see, although you can count the number of modal verbs in English on your fingers, their usage varies greatly. Everything will be much easier to understand and remember if you not only study each of them separately, but also complete comparison and contrast exercises.