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Modal Verbs - Coggle Diagram
Modal Verbs
Negative form
cannot ⚠️ (one word!) / can't
might not / mightn't
could not / couldn't
must not / mustn't
don't have to / doesn't have to
may not
should not / shouldn't
ought not to / oughtn’t to (not common)
Permission
(politeness + → -)
May
→
May I help you?
Might
→
Might I help you?
Could
→
Could I help you?
Can
→
Can I help you?
Possibility
(+ → -)
Can
→
This dog can be dangerous
Could
→
This dog could be dangerous
May / Might
→
This dog may / might be dangerous
Rules
Only one form
⚠️ Except for: have to →
He has to study
After them → Infinitive without 'to '
⚠️ Except for: have to / ought to
"Auxiliary verbs"
Questions →
Can I help you?
Negative sentences →
I can't help you
Ability
In the present:
Can
→
I can speak English
In the past:
Could
→ When I was a child, I could do splits
Obligation (present)
Must
→
You must wear a uniform
Have TO
→
I have to wear a uniform
Advice
More common:
Should
→
You should pay your bills
More formal
Ought TO
→
You ought to pay your bills