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Modals: degrees of certainty

Form

  • All modals (will, would,shall, should, can, could, may, might, must) and the semi-modal ought to have only one form.
  • Modals are followed by the bare infinitive (simple or continuous) or the bare perfect infinitive
    eg To by should be very fit by now.
    To by should have recovered by now.
  • The semi-modals have to and need to change their form depending on person and tense
    eg The doctor said I had/needed to give up red meat.

Use Modal Example
Expressing certainty (or near certainty) about now or generally must
can't
couldn't		 That must be the district nurse at the door.
These can't / couldn't be the pills; they’re the wrong colour.
Expressing certainty (or near certainty) about the past must
can't
couldn't
(perfect infinitive)		 She must have been in a lot of pain.
His leg can’t/ couldn't have been in plaster for two years!
Expressing probability about now, the future or generally should
ought to		 You ought to / should feel better in a few days, as long as you get lots of rest.
Expressing probability about the past should
ought to
(+perfect infinitive)		 The bruise ought to / should have disappeared days ago. I wonder why it didn’t.
Expressing possibility about now‚the future or generally could
may
might		 You should talk to your doctor first because that diet could/ may / might be dangerous.
Expressing possibility about the real past could
may
might (+perfect infinitive)		 That could / may/ might have been the doctor who rang earlier while we were out.
Expressing possibility about a hypothetical past could
might
(+perfect infinitive)		 It's a good thing you went to the doctor or you could / might have become quite ill.

Form - Modals: obligation and necessity Exercise - A


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