Modal-Verbs-CAN-MAY-SHOULD-HAVE-TO-MUST

Modal Verbs: CAN • MAY • SHOULD • HAVE TO • MUST

Simple, friendly English explanations with colourful visuals to help young learners understand meaning and use. Each slide shows a clear scene and one short rule in easy English.

CAN — Physical ability & skill

Use

Examples

He can juggle. / She can run fast. / I can play the guitar.

Say CAN to talk about what people are able to do now.

Short tip

CAN + base verb (no 'to') — easy and friendly!

MAY — Permission & possibility

Use MAY to ask for or give permission and to talk about things that might happen.

• Permission: May I go to the toilet? — Yes, you may.
• Possibility: It may rain today. (It could happen.)

Tip: MAY sounds polite. Use it in formal or

classroom situations.

SHOULD — Advice and recommendation

SHOULD gives advice or tells someone what is a good idea.

How to use

SHOULD + base verb to suggest a better choice.

Examples

• You should rest and drink tea.
• He should eat fruit and drink water.

Short tip

SHOULD is gentle — not a rule, just good advice.

HAVE TO — External necessity

HAVE TO shows things you must do because of rules, laws or other people.

• She has to stop at red lights.
• I have to wear a school uniform.
• Passengers have to show tickets.

Remember: HAVE TO = outside rules or obligations.

MUST — Strong obligation or inner duty

MUST expresses things that are very important or necessary, often from inside (feeling) or stronger rules.

When to use

Examples

To show a strong need: rules, safety, or your own duty.

• You must wash your hands before eating.
• We must be kind to others.

Quick Practice: Match the modal

CAN

MAY

HAVE TO

SHOULD

I can ride a bike.

May I open the window?

You should eat fruit.

I have to go to school .

MUST

We must stop at traffic lights.

Mini Quiz

Choose the right modal

1 CAN

2 MAY

3 SHOULD

4 HAVE TO

5 MUST

• My sister ___ swim. (ability)

• ___ I borrow your pencil? (permission)

• You ___ see a doctor if you feel unwell. (advice)

• We ___ wear seatbelts in the car. (rule)

• She ___ always tell the truth. (strong duty)

Correct mistakes

• You mustn’t eat in the library — it’s forbidden.

• Can I should ask a question?

• You have to must wear a helmet when riding a bike.

• She can speaks three languages.

• You should to drink more water.