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MODAL VERBS - Coggle Diagram
MODAL VERBS
DEFINITION
STRUCTURE
main verb --> infinitive
(without "to", except "ought to")
FORM
modal verb + main verb
(to expres nuances of meaning)
POSSIBILITY
ABILITY
PERMISSION
ability
(can / be able to)
be able to
(future + past specific situations)
permission
(can)
possibility
(can / might + could / may)
might / could
(lower than can)
could
(past habitually)
could
>
might
may
(higher, present + future, formal)
can
(in the present)
OBBLIGATION
PROHIBITION
NECESSITY
ADVICE
advice & recommendations
(should / ought to)
same meaning
(interchangeable)
necessity
(need to)
obbligation
(must / have to)
affirmative
same meaning
(interchangeable)
negative
mustn't / can't
(illigal, prohibited)
don’t have / need to
(not necessary)