Straightforward presentation of Modal Verbs in English. Read carefully and practice a lot.

1. Modals
Ability , Permission, Requests,
offers, suggestions

2. Can, Could, Be able to
Charlotte can/ is able to balance
her work life and home life
Ability in the present

3. Could, be able to
(general ability)
Hannah loves the water. She could
swim before she could walk.
Ability in the past

4. Ability in the past on a specific
occasion
”be able to” not could
Mike”s car broke down yesterday but
fortunately he was able to repair it.
Sorry, but this was the cheapest hotel I
was able to find. (superlative)

5.  Can, Could, May – to ask permission
Could I borrow some money, Mr. Jones ?
May I use your credit card, mum ?
 Can, may – to give or refuse
You may not withdraw money from this
account.
Permission
Permission in the present and
future

6. Could, Was/were able to – for
general permission
He could/was allowed to spend as
much money as he wanted.
Permission in the past
(general permission)

7. He was allowed to spend last
week”s pocket money on sweets.
Permission on particular occasion
Was/were allowed to

8. Requests, offers, suggestion
 Can, could, will or would to - ask
someone to do something for us
• Can/will you lend me 10 E ?
 Can, could, shall I or would you like
me to ...? – to offer to do something
for someone
Can/could/ Shall I give you some
financial advice ?

9. Can, could/ shall – to make
suggestions
You can/could ask a travel agent
about exotic holidays.
We could try to save more.
Tentative suggestion – use
”might as well”

10. Use ”might as well” when you
mean ” there is no better choice
available”
Now that the children have left,
we might as well sell th house.