EF5/6 Modals/ modal auxiliaries

modals / modal auxiliaries

can
could
should
will

subject + modal + infinitive -to "to go"
"'to go" "go" basic form of the verb

Ruth can go to the party.
Ruth will go to the party.

Ruth can going to the party. XXX
Ruth can went to the party. XXX
Ruth can going to the party. XXX

Sarah must take better care of her health.

modals don't have tenses -
You can use modals to suggest time frames
"When I was a kid, I could do a handstand."
"Tomorrow I could help fix your computer."
"When I was a kid, I can do a handstand." XXX

could - past ability, possibility (maybe)


could would - tricky, complicated

must 
Sarah must take care of her children, so she can't come to work today.
Sarah had to take care of her children, so she couldn't come to work yesterday. 'had to' - past of 'must'

'have got to' - very strong 'must'
You have got to floss and brush your teeth if you want to have teeth.

We have got to finish the project by tomorrow.

might - maybe
She might have called when we were out. past
She might be at home. present
She might go to the party. future

have to - must
I have to make supper for my family.
Mary has to make supper for her family.
Mary had to make supper for her family. past

used to
When I was a child, I used to do cartwheels.

NOT A MODAL
am used to - comfortable, accustomed to
I am used to living in Canada. gerund
I have done it for ten years. I am used to it.
I am used to playing basketball with people that are better me.

I used to play basketball. I don't play anymore.

used to / am used to TOTALLY UNRELATED MEANINGS

I used to be a nurse. You are not anymore for some reason.

My son used to be scared of ghosts.

I am used to living in Vancouver. NOT A MODAL
I used to live in Vancouver. MODAL "to live"

She is used to NOUN - gerund
She is used to speaking English now. She has lived in Canada for five years.

NOT MODALS
I am used to my iphone. noun
I am used to using my iphone. noun