Lesson 13: Modals Part 2

Modals for Permission, Advice, Obligation, Prohibition, and Used to

Modals are auxiliary verbs that provide additional meaning to the main verb. They are often used to express permission, advice, obligation, prohibition, and past habits (in the case of "used to"). Here’s a detailed explanation with comparisons and examples.

Permission

When modals are used for permission, they express whether something is allowed or not.

1. Can: "Can" is used to ask for or give permission informally.

   • Can I borrow your book? (Asking for permission)
   • You can go home now. (Giving permission)

2. May: "May" is a more formal way of asking for or giving permission.

   • May I leave early today? (Asking for permission)
   • You may start your exam now. (Giving permission)

3. Could: "Could" is used to ask for permission in a more polite or less direct way.

   • Could I borrow your pen? (Asking for permission)
   • You could leave the office early today. (Offering permission)

Comparison: "Can" is more casual and common in everyday conversation, while "may" is more formal and polite. "Could" is more indirect and polite compared to "can."

Advice

Modals like “should,” “ought to,” “had better,” and "could" are used to give advice, suggesting what someone should do.

1. Should: Suggests a good or advisable action.

   • You should study for the exam.
   • She should see a doctor about her cold.

2. Ought to: Similar to "should," but can sound slightly more formal.

   • You ought to be more careful when driving.
   • He ought to apologize for his behavior.

3. Had better: Stronger than “should,” implying a recommendation with a consequence if not followed.

   • You had better take an umbrella; it’s going to rain.
   • She had better hurry if she wants to catch the train.

4. Could: "Could" can also be used to suggest something politely, although it’s a bit less forceful than "should" or "ought to."

   • You could try calling customer service for help. (Offering advice)
   • He could speak more clearly. (Suggesting improvement)

Comparison: “Should” and “ought to” are often interchangeable, but “had better” implies that something negative might happen if advice is not followed. "Could" is more polite and indirect than "should."

Obligation

Modals used for obligation express something that is required or necessary.

1. Must: Indicates a strong obligation or necessity.

   • You must wear a helmet when riding a bike.
   • Students must submit their assignments on time.

2. Have to: Similar to “must,” but “have to” is often used for obligations imposed by external factors, like rules or laws.

   • I have to attend the meeting at 3 PM.
   • You have to pay your taxes every year.

3. Have got to: This is more informal than “have to,” but it still expresses a strong necessity or obligation.

   • I’ve got to study for my exams. (Informal obligation)
   • You’ve got to stop smoking for your health. (Informal advice)

4. Need to: "Need to" also expresses necessity or obligation, often indicating something essential.

   • I need to buy groceries for the week. (Necessity)
   • She needs to leave now if she wants to catch the bus. (Necessity)

Comparison: "Must" is often used to express personal obligations or rules, while "have to" and "have got to" are more commonly used for external obligations. "Need to" is used to express stronger necessity than "have to."

Prohibition

Modals for prohibition are used to indicate something that is not allowed.

1. Cannot (Can’t): Indicates something is not permitted.

   • You cannot smoke in this area.
   • I can’t let you enter the building without an ID.

2. Must not (Mustn’t): Stronger than “cannot,” used to emphasize that something is strictly prohibited.

   • You mustn’t park here.
   • He mustn’t talk during the test.

Comparison: "Cannot" is more general, while "must not" is stronger and more formal.

Used to

"Used to" is a modal phrase used to describe past habits or situations that no longer occur.

1. Used to: Describes something that was true in the past but is no longer the case.
   • I used to play football every weekend.
   • She used to live in Paris.

Comparison: "Used to" focuses on actions or situations that have changed and are no longer happening in the present.