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Modal auxiliary verbs - Coggle Diagram

- - - - be able to / be unable to
      - be allowed to
      - be permitted to
      - have to
      - know how to
      - be supposed to
      - manage to
      - need to
      - ought to
      - Can and could
        
        Can and could are used to express ability, possibility, impossibility, opportunity and permission.
        
        Eric can speak some Japanese.
        
        Going to school can be very expensive in many countries.
        
        Sarah could do cartwheels when she was a child.
        
        Everyone knew he couldn’t sing in tune.
        
        You can leave at any time.
        
        This can’t be happening!
        
        Dave can’t dance but he could take some lessons.
        
        You can save a lot of money if you book the tickets in advance.
        
        Use can when offering to do something
        
        Can I help you?
        
        Can I take you somewhere?
        
        Use could in polite requests and inquiries
        
        Could you close the door behind you?
        
        Could I leave a message for Dr. Taylor please?
        
        When you ask for permission, could is more polite and formal than can
        
        Could I ask you a question?
        
        Could we open our presents now?
        
        Could is the past tense of can but can / could + present perfect infinitive (= have + past participle) is also possible.
        
        2 more items...
        
        polite requests and inquiries!
        
        offering to do something!
        
        express ability, possibility, impossibility, opportunity and permission!