Can, should, must and might

Give advice and talk about rules, ability and possibility. Lesson 25 of 58: Conversation, CEFR B1.

Ability and possibility

• Can for ability and possibility now: “I can speak three languages.” Could for the past: “I could swim when I was five.” Might, may and could for maybe: “It might rain.” “She may be late.”
• Can you hear me?
• We might be a little late. (Maybe)
• It could be a problem. (Possibly)

Advice

• Should and ought to give advice: “You should talk to your manager.” “Had better” is stronger, almost a warning: “You’d better leave now or you’ll miss the train.” Softer: “Maybe you could…”, “If I were you, I’d…”
• You should get some rest.
• You’d better hurry. (Strong)
• Maybe you could ask for help. (Gentle)

Rules and obligation

• Must: a strong obligation, often from the speaker, or a rule: “I must remember to call her.” Have to: obligation from outside: “I have to wear a uniform.” Don’t have to: not necessary. Mustn’t: not allowed. These last two are very different.
• You mustn’t smoke here. (Not allowed)
• You don’t have to come. (Not necessary, but you can)
• I have to leave at five.
• Tip: Modal verbs take the plain verb with no “to” (except ought to and have to): “I can swim”, never “I can to swim”.

Lines to have ready

• If I were you, I’d… (Friendly advice)
• You don’t have to…, but it might help. (Gentle suggestion)
• Can I ask you something? (Before a personal question)
• I might be a bit late. (Warning about time)
• Should we start? (Suggesting)

Your turn to speak

• A friend is moving to your city. Give them advice: three things they should do, two they mustn’t do, two they don’t have to worry about, and one thing that might surprise them.
• I used should for advice
• I used mustn’t and don’t have to correctly
• I used might or could for a possibility

Related

• Lesson 24: Telling a story
• Lesson 26: If: real and imaginary
• The whole English course

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