Modal verbs - expressing ability, possibility and obligation

Modal verbs - can, could, be able to

• ability

• possibility

• obligation

Modal verbs - can, could, may, might

• obligation

• ability

• possibility

Modal verbs - must, have to, need to, should, ought to

• possibility

• obligation

• ability

It meant I couldn’t pop into town to do my shopping.

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

I had narrowed down my options to just three

possibilities, but I still could not decide between them.

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

I then had to choose which first degree I should take

before starting law school.

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

I needn’t have worried …

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

I could become an engineer and apply maths at a

practical level.

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

… because in the end I didn’t have to choose!

• possibility

• ability

• obligation

I’ll be able to start teaching as soon as I qualify.

• possibility

• ability

• obligation