IELTS Grammar Skills · 2
Modal verbs
Can, could, may, might, must and should help you sound careful and academic, if you use the right one in the right form.
1The rule
modal+base verb
No to, no -s, no -ed after a modal: She can speak three languages. (not cans speak, can to speak or can spoke)
2What each modal means
| Meaning | Modals | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ability | can, could (past) | I could swim when I was five. |
| Possibility | may, might, could | This may lead to higher prices. |
| Almost sure | must (yes) · can't (no) | He must be tired. That can't be true. |
| Advice | should, ought to | Governments should invest in public transport. |
| Necessary | must, have to | Drivers have to pay a fee. |
| Not necessary | don't have to | You don't have to bring a pen. (it's your choice) |
| Not allowed | mustn't, can't | You mustn't use your phone in the exam. |
| Future | will, won't | Cities will keep growing. |
3Use it in your test
- Task 2, soften strong claims: This could reduce traffic. sounds more careful (and more academic) than This reduces traffic.
- Task 2, give solutions: Schools should teach …
- Speaking Part 3, future: People might work from home more.
4Talking about the past
modal+have+past participle
- I should have studied more. (a regret)
- She must have missed the bus. (almost sure)
- It could have been worse. (possible, but it didn't happen)
5Mistakes that lower your score
Students must to wear a uniform.→Students must wear a uniform.No “to” after must, can, should, may, might or will. (But: have to, ought to.)
He can able to drive.→He can drive. / He is able to drive.Use one or the other, not both.
You mustn't pay. It's free.→You don't have to pay. It's free.Mustn't = not allowed. Don't have to = not necessary.
I should of called her.→I should have called her.“Should of” is a spelling mistake that comes from how it sounds.