Modal Examples and Uses in English

CAN - Ability

• He can find any street in London.
• You can take a taxi.
• Can you take me to Victoria Station? - Request

BE ABLE TO - Ability

• He is able to find any street in London.

CAN'T - Certainty that something is impossible

• That story can't be true.

COULD - Ability

• I could play tennis when I was younger.
• Could you take me to Victoria Station? - Request
• You could take a taxi - Suggestion

MAY - Possibility

• It may be quicker to travel by train.
• May I come in? - Formal request

MIGHT - Possibility

• It might be quicker to travel by train.

MUST - Certainty that something is true

• Look at the snow. It must be cold outside.
• You must be back at 10 o'clock. - Obligation

HAVE TO - Obligation

• You have to be back at 10 o'clock. - Obligation

NEED TO - Obligation

• Do you need to study a lot? - Obligation

NEEDN'T - Lack of obligation

• You needn't have a university degree.

MUSTN'T - Prohibition

• You mustn't drive without a license.

DON'T HAVE TO - Lack of obligation

• You don't have to call a taxi.

SHOULD - Opinion/Advice

• You should drive more carefully.

OUGHT TO - Opinion/Advice

• You ought to drive more carefully.