Modal Verbs — Advice, Possibility, Obligation
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Modal Verbs — Advice, Possibility, Obligation
⏱ 5 minutes
Grammar
When I started learning French at the age of 35 in La Réunion, my tutor said, “You should practise every day. You must speak even if you make mistakes. You can do this — many adults learn French to C1.” She was right. Modals are how we express advice, possibility, and obligation in English too.
🎯 Language Focus
| Obligation/Rule | must / have to → “You must complete the form.” |
| Advice | should / ought to → “You should practise daily.” |
| Possibility | might / could / may → “It might be difficult at first.” |
| Ability | can → “I can speak four languages.” |
✏️ Quick Practice — Try It!
💡 Your 5-Minute Takeaway
Must = obligation (rule/law). Should = advice (my opinion). Might = possibility (not sure). These three cover 90% of modal situations at B1.
Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification. Grammar reference: Swan, Practical English Usage. Frameworks: PPP, TBLT, ESA (standard ELT methodology).
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