Expressing possibility / talking about facts (not specific occasions)

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8. Expressing possibility / talking about facts (not specific occasions)

It can (sometimes) happen. (it’s a fact)

It could have happened. (It was possible but didn’t happen)

It couldn’t have happened. (There was no possibility that it would happen)

9. Expressing supposition:

Positive:

He may / might / could be sick. (all of them are uncertain, less than 50 % sure)

Can / could / might he be sick? (not may)

He should do well in the exam. (very certain, 90 % sure, refers to future)

That will be Nick. (prediction)

Negative:

He may not / might not be hungry.

10. Expressing logical assumptions

Positive:

He must be sick (very certain, 95 % sure)

Negative:

He can’t / couldn’t be sick. (very certain, 95 % sure)

11. Expressing obligation / necessity:

Positive:

We must get up early. (from the speaker’s point of view)

We are to get up early. (from a previously arranged plan or agreement)

We have to get up early. (from the situation)

We have to get up early tomorrow. (the necessity already exists)

We’ll have to get up early tomorrow if they phone us. (the necessity may or may not appear tomorrow)

We’ve got to get up early tomorrow. (from the situation, a specific occasion)

We need to get up early.

Negative:

We don’t need / have to get up early.

12. Talking about ability:

I can / can’t do it. (in present-time contexts)

I could / couldn’t do it. (general ability in past-time contexts)

I was able to do it. (a specific achievement in past-time contexts)

I’ll be able to do it. (a future ability which doesn’t exist now)

I have been able to do it for some time. 

SECTION 3

INFINITIVES AFTER MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are followed by infinitives. Some of their meanings allow only simple infinitives (do, occasionally to do) others demand different forms:

I could swim when I was three. (past ability)

I’ve got to do everything in an hour. (obligation)

She may be sleeping now. (supposition near uncertainty)

You needn’t have done everything yourself. (necessity)

She must have been carefully instructed before the interview. (supposition near certainty)

There are 6 infinitive forms which are chosen with reference to some certain types of action:

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