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Modal verbs

- when you speculate about the truth of something and you think something is true:

It must be difficult. 

He must be older than 50. 

- to express obligation:

You must be more careful, John! 

We must do all we can to help them. 

➡️ HAVE TO is also used to express obligation

- you know you must do something you don't want to do but it is not an order (required by law for example).

She has to take care of Alice because her mother is on holidays. 

- When the sentence is not in the present tense, you must use "have to" instead of "must":

My shirt will have to be ironed.

He had to wait for them a very long time.

➡️ MUSTN'T to forbid someone to do something (almost an order).

You mustn't walk on that bridge : it's far too dangerous. 

➡️ MAY:

you don't know if that event will occur:

He may become famous one day. 

It may happen again.

Can also be used for permission: 

Yes darling, you may have another biscuit.

➡️ CAN'T:

- you can't do something because you don't know how to do it / it is not allowed:

She can't walk, she's had an accident.

I can't work in the dark, I don't see well enough. 

- not logical / not possible:

She can't be your sister! I don't believe it!

It can't be six o'clock already.

I can't watch TV tonight, the TV set is out of order.

- forbidden actions (rules, laws):

You can't park here! 

➡️ SHOULD :

- for advice / suggestions:

You should work more if you want to pass your exam. 

EXERCISE : Choose the sentence which has the same meaning.

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1. I'm almost certain that she's not in the hotel, it's quite impossible! = She must not be in the hotel.She can't be in the hotel.She may not be in the hotel.I don't know

2. He could have done it. = He was not able to do it.He didn't do it and I'm not very pleased about it.I'm pleased he did it.I don't know

3. He can't have done it, he is too polite to have done it. = Maybe he didn't do it.He was able to do it.I'm sure he didn't do it.I don't know

4. I'm almost certain that he is the culprit. = It can be him.It may be him.It must be him.I don't know

5. He was not given permission to spend the weekend with his friends. = He didn't have to spend the weekend with his friends.He could spend the weekend with his friends.He was not allowed to spend the weekend with his friends.I don't know

6. He should have said something. = He said something which was a good idea.It was a big mistake not to say anything.He was allowed to say something.I don't know

7. He may have come. = Perhaps he has come..He was allowed to come.Maybe he will come.I don't know

8. He must have come. = I'm sure he will come.He had to come.I'm sure he came.I don't know

9. You must be fit if you want to become a champion. = Your success will not be determined by your fitness.You have no alternative but to be in top form.Your physical condition is not essential.I don't know

10. You can't walk on the grass.= I allow you to walk on the grass.I already told you not to walk on the grass.It is forbidden to walk on the grass.I don't know