I Could Do Gymnastics When I Was Young The Book Could Be Read For The Students Could You Give Me The Paper?

EXPRESSING ABILITY: CAN

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with verbs of sense:

I can do sport everyday

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in passives:

The news can also be read on the website.

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possible future arrangements:

If you can, take the dog for a walk this monday.

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ask for permission:

Can I go to the toilet?

COULD

BE ABLE TO

● with verbs of sense I could do gymnastics when I was young ● in passives the book could be read for the students ● possible future arrangements (more polite) could you give me the paper? ask for permission (more polite) ●

instead of can and could, in more formal contexts.

I’m able to work in different contexts and adapt to different situations​.

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to talk about ability on a specific occasion in the past

When I Was under a lot of stress, I was able to study during 4 hours​.

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in negatives in the past (also could)

I wasn’t able to pass the physical test

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in perfect tenses, -ing forms, infinitives, after modal verbs

We must be able to complete our tasks before lunch. He hasn’t been able to finish homework yet. Being able to complete​ the delivery on time, he finished work earlier than expected.

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with will

I will able to pass the inspector exam

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possible future arrangements

I will able to meet with you next week

EXPRESSING POSSIBILITY MAY (+)

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to talk about a more general possibility

I may go to Brazil if i have holidays in summer.

MIGHT (-)

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in questions (formal)

Might it happen that we repeat the elections in s couple of months?

CAN (+)

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to talk about a more general possibility

The poles can be melted by 2030.

COULD (-)

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to say something was possible in the past

Students could have learned ethics better than nowadays.​

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to ask questions about the possibility of something (​be likely to​)

Could the negotiations finish today? What do you think?

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with hardly or only (between auxiliar and main verb) = negative meaning

HABITUAL EVENTS, WILLINGNESS, CONCLUSIONS

WILL

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to draw conclusions or state assumptions

No doubt we will win the contest. (futuro certero)

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(with not) to talk about (un)willingness* or refusal to do smth

I won´t tolerate your behaviour.

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characteristic behaviour or habits about things that are true or were true in the past.

Many passengers will get seasick during the crossing.

WOULD

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willingness in the future

I would understand your point of view in that case.

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conditionals

I would go to the party if you came with me

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willing but unable to do something

I would go with you but i have to study tonight.

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things that happened repeatedly in the past

I would go to the shopping centre once a month when I was a kid.

USED TO

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things that happened repeatedly in the past

I use​d​ to go to the park with my friends everyday after school

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past states

I used to be the best in PE exams when I was at school.

● Willingness: predisposición, voluntad de hacer algo ● NECESSITY AND DEDUCTION​: MUST

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it is necessary to do something (internal obligation)

I must study for the exam

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in our opinion, something is necessary or important:

the school must be more strong

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strong deduction (something must be true)

she must be sleeping

HAVE TO

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necessary to do something (less formal and preferred in questions) I have to do my homework before the deadline

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necessary in the past (had to)

I had to give your present away

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necessary in the future (will have to)

i will have to study for the exam

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external obligations (rules, laws,...)

you have to follow the school rules.

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with frequency adverbs and other modal verbs

The airlines will have to return to the negotiating table.

● Can’t or couldn’t: something is impossible LACK OF NECESSITY It was not necessary to do something in the past.

DON’T/ DIDN’T NEED TO DON’T/DIDN’T HAVE TO

I didn´t need to your help

When we think something that was done in the past was not necessary. I need not have your help

NEED NOT/NEEDN’T HAVE (DONE)

OBLIGATION SHOULD

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talk about obligation: I​ should buy winter clothes

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(giving advice and recommendation):

OUGHT TO

You ought to visit paris soon

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something is likely because we have planned or expect it to happen:

The government affirms that the new measures will be implemented next year, but they ought to finish the law draft first.

DEDUCTION AND SUPPOSITION II MAY MIGHT + BE + Present Participle COULD

Nick’s flight was cancelled, so he may/might/could be arriving much later than expected

MAY MIGHT + HAVE + Past Participle COULD

The thieves may/might/could have left the country by the time we get to the airport.

MAY MIGHT + HAVE BEEN + present participl. COULD WOULD

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Something will happen in the future:

to talk about situations or activities that were possibly happening at a particular past time:

Do you think he might have been expecting them?

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With a future reference:

HAVE + Past participle

to talk about an imaginary past situation:

People would have seen them from the street below.

WILL

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we think a past situation actually happened

If they smashed a window to get in, people living nearby will certainly have heard something.

SHOULD

● + HAVE + Past participle

OUGHT TO

talk about something that didn’t happen in the past (​implying criticism and regrets)

We should have contacted her earlier.

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talk about an expectation that something happened, has happened or will happen

The forensic team should have finished examining the building by now.

MUST CAN’T + HAVE + Past participle COULDN’T

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draw a conclusion about a past event, saying that ​it was not possible

One man alone couldn’t have carried all those paintings,

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to draw a conclusion about smth happening at a particular past time

(likely or certain) The driver must have been waiting nearby.

MUST BE + Present participle

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draw a conclusion about smth happening around the time of speaking (must be doing for the future) He must be doing his homework.