Modal verbs

Helen can speak French and English.

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

Could you help me with the laundry?

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

Can I close the window? It's cold here.

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

Birds can fly high, but dogs can't.

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

When I was ten years old, I could write a computer programme.

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

I could swim when I was 2 years old, could you?

• Ability

• Asking permission

• Polite request

We must wear uniforms in our company.

• It's forbidden

• It's a rule

• It's not necessary.

You mustn't smoke in the hospital.

• It's forbidden

• It's a rule

• It's not necessary.

You really shouldn't stay up late.

• Advice

• It is a law

• Certainty

There may be a thunderstorm today. I'm not sure.

• Advice

• Possibility

• Ability