Summary table of modal verbs for schoolchildren. Modal verbs in English: rules of use

When, where, in what situation and, finally, what modal verbs use in English? Sentence examples and the use of modal verbs will help you understand the meaning of each of them. As you will see for yourself, some modal verbs important to apply with particle to. And there are those that involve the use of auxiliary words in negatives and questions. Let's see what's what ....

Modal verbs in English and examples of sentences with them

Will be presented below. Sentence examples given along with the translation. Pay special attention to the second column, there will be indicated the tenses in which the use of one or another modal verb is permissible. Not all of these words have analogues in past and future. And there are also such verbs that can be "meet" only in one tense.

modal verb	time	meaning	example	translation
	present, past(the form: could), future(design to be able to )	ability (physical or mental), requests for permission to act	They could read when they were four.
	present, past(the form: might ), future(analogue: to be allowed to )	possibility, possibility, request, permission	He may come if he wants.	He maybe come if you want.
	present, past(analogue: had to )	obligation	Must I do this myself?	I must do it yourself?
	present(forms: have\has to, past(the form: had to ), future	having to do something due to some circumstance	I have to go. The boss's waiting for me.	to me need go. The boss is waiting for me.
	present	advice	You should learn more English words.	You should learn more English words.
	present	moral duty advice	You ought to respect your parents.	You should respect your parents.
need	present, past, future	need	We need be more serious.	Us should be more serious.
to be to	present(forms: am\are to ); past(forms: was\ were to )	obligation to perform an action that was previously planned	I' m to be there in half an hour.	to me necessary be (should be) there in half an hour.
shall	future	offer of action or help, the inevitability of a situation in the future	Shall I help you with this project?	Can you help with this project?
will	future	promise, intention, resolve	I will always be somewhere near you.	I will always be somewhere near.
would	present, past, future	repetition of an action in the past, polite sentence	Would you do this for me, please?	Could you will you do it for me?
dare	present, past(the form: dared ), future	indignation, indecision	I daren't talk to them.	I not dare to talk to him.

English grammar and modal verbs

According to English grammar, almost all modal verbs are used in questions and negative sentences without auxiliary words. From this rule only have to. Consider examples.

Do you have to go to bed early because of the meeting? Do you have to go to bed earlier because of the meeting?

I don't have to go to the office. Today is Saturday. I don't have to go to the office. Today is Saturday.

Compare these sentences with other modal verbs.

I cannot run as quickly as you. I can't run as fast as you.

Can they ride a horse? Can they (can) ride?

Jane mustn't clean the whole house alone! Jane doesn't have to clean the whole house by herself!

Must did he come to the meeting at 2? Does he have to come to the meeting at 2 pm?

It is difficult to imagine English grammar without modal verbs, because they help to express everything that cannot be said through other words. Namely: obligation, necessity, ability, probability, advice, and much more.

How to remember all the meanings of modal verbs in English?

Virtually everyone modal verbs several use cases, so not everyone can quickly remember everything meanings of modal verbs in English. What to do? First, not all modal verbs are often found in live speech. For example, this concerns ought to(it's almost the same as should). Secondly, you do not need to learn everything at once, especially if you have not fully understood the meanings of each modal verb. Start with the most used: can, may, must, have to, should. Make up your own examples with them, try to apply them in speech. And after a while, move on to the next modal verbs.

If you find it difficult to understand the topic on your own, modal verbs in English”, then we suggest enrolling in our general English course in skype. Teachers in Fluent English explain the grammar in simple language and give many examples of sentences with each construction or rule.

We will be happy to help with modal verbs and more!

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Modal verbs in English are a separate category that is distinguished by certain features of use, characteristic norms for the formation of temporary constructions with them, and specific meanings. The main difference between modal verbs and ordinary action words is that they do not represent an action; the concept of modality provides, first of all, the attitude of the speaker to a particular situation expressed by the infinitive. It is no secret that any modal is invariably followed by an impersonal verb form, and with some modals not only Indefinite is used, but also Perfect, Continuous or Perfect Continuous Infinitive.

In order to describe the main features that English modal verbs have, one should pay attention to the rules for their use and formation, describe the main functions that these words perform, and also give examples of sentences with them.

Characteristics of Modal Verbs

As already mentioned, modal verbs denote an attitude towards a particular action, expressed through the infinitive. In addition to the most popular modal verbs - can, may, must - there are others. Modals (the list of modal verbs has 12 structures) have the typical features that grammar provides: they are able to independently form questions and negations without resorting to auxiliary words, and always require an infinitive after themselves.

One of the characteristic features is the presence of bare Infinitive after modals. The use of to after modal verbs is quite atypical; however, there are three main words after which these particles are always used: have to, to be to, ought to.

Note: two modals - need and dare - have separate conditions where the bare Infinitive rule does not always work. Need, being a British English word, is generally not modal and is used like a normal word; but if we are talking about American English verbs, then the word will be modal. The modal verb dare has a slightly different feature: in principle, it can be both modal (most relevant for interrogative sentences) and non-modal (often observed in negatives). Here are some examples of such sentences with translation:

You needn’t go there today - Today you don’t need to go there (need is full here)
You didn't need to go there - You didn't need to go there (need as a simple action)

How dare you speak to me? How dare you speak to me? (dare - modal)
He didn’t dare to speak to me - He didn’t dare to speak to me (simple verb)

Questions and negatives

In questions with modal verbs, these words are usually put in the first place, and auxiliary words do not appear in the sentence:

Can you come tomorrow? – Can you come tomorrow?
Should he complete this task? Should he complete this task?

Negative sentences with modal verbs also differ from normal ones: the particle not is usually added directly to the modal, and not to the helper:

You mustn't smoke here! You can't smoke here!
She needn’t work as her parents father is rich - She doesn’t need to work because her father is rich

Note: in addition to need and dare, have to is also grammatically special. The fact is that, despite its status, in a sentence it is used in the form of a simple semantic action:

Did you have to read the whole article? Did you have to read the whole article?
He didn't have to repeat his words again - He didn't have to repeat his words again

However, this form should not be confused with the American counterpart have got to, which, although it coincides with have to in meaning, is grammatically a full-fledged modal:

Have you got to overwork? Do you have to work overtime?
She hadn't got to visit a doctor - She didn't have to go to the doctor

Division into groups

Depending on what meaning is attached to a particular modal verb, they are usually divided into special groups.

modal verbs of deduction

Modal verbs of deduction are those English action words that serve to display an assumption on a topic. Modals of deduction include such as can (could), may (might), should. Here are examples of modal verbs of this category in sentences:

It can be a postman, but I'm not sure - It may be a postman, but I'm not sure
She might be coming home right now - She might be coming home right now

As you can see, modals of deduction can be used not only with Indefinite, but also with other forms of the infinitive. For example, with such a modal Perfect Infinitive can talk about a guess with an emphasis on the past:

He might have left his home many years ago - Perhaps he left his home many years ago

Verbs of possibility

Probability modals reflect the situation when the speaker makes an assumption about a particular situation. The verb used in such a function means the possibility of performing an action. The most common words in this case are can and may:

You can find the book you need in the bookcase - You can find the book you need in the bookcase
You may meet her every evening walking with her child - You can meet her every evening walking with her child

Note: The modals of possibility also include the often forgotten to be to. Its peculiarity is only that in the probability function the infinitive following it is used exclusively in the passive:

Many children are to be met in this house - Many children can be found in this house

Verbs of obligation

Words expressing obligation and prohibition are those that are associated with orders, prohibitions, obligation. This category includes quite a few forms, and the verbal meaning of each of them is special:

You mustn't leave the room! - You can't leave the room!
You are not to go there until he orders - You can't go there until he says

· He shall go away immediately! He will leave immediately!

Verbs of volition

These modal words in English mean desire. The brightest words in this category are shall and will, which are not always modals and often, as you know, act as auxiliary words. However, in a modal sense, they occur in the following examples:

We shall support our people - We want to support our people
You may cry if you will - You can cry if you want

Temporal forms of modal verbs

The conjugation of modal verbs is a nuance that deserves special attention. Modal verbs in the past tense can be used, and quite often (could, might, was to/were to). But these past modals are in the minority, since it is impossible to form the past tense with others.

In the future tense, modals are also not used; in most cases, in order to express Future, it is customary to use the original forms. The exception is, perhaps, a pair of shall and will, which in principle are associated with the future tense, as well as must, which has equivalents - to be likely to and to be sure to (“surely”, “for sure”).

To express the past meaning, one cannot do without the perfect. Such an infinitive, however, is not typical for all words: have to, shall, will/would, and dare do not have it.

Modal verbs are also used in indirect speech. As you know, a typical feature of this grammatical phenomenon is the shift of tenses one step down. But if it is possible to do this with some modals (can - could, may - might), then many do not have a past form. However, even in this case, the structure can sometimes change: for example, must in Reported Speech becomes have to:

“You must work to earn money”, - he said - He said that I had to work to earn money - He said that I must work to earn money

Modal verb equivalents

Some modals can sometimes be replaced by other structures that are similar in meaning. Modal verbs and their equivalents, as it becomes clear, do not coincide in form, but in terms of meaning they are almost equivalent. Below is a table of modal verbs with all their possible equivalents:

Using modal verbs in English, it is important to remember not only what these constructions are, but also what meaning they carry in themselves and what function they perform in a sentence and in a text. To help in the study of the main modals, a video lesson can be used, where the main modal units are presented. This video contains information about the possible forms of modals, as well as about the features of the translation. Do not forget that knowing the number of such words is not enough; it is much more important to navigate in forms and meanings in order to actively use them in speech.

In English, in addition to verbal units expressing the actual action, one can come across a whole group of verbs that serve in speech to fix the category of modality, in other words, they are aimed at expressing various kinds of modal relations (necessity, possibility, probability, etc.) to those or other actions. Due to this, there is a corresponding adjustment of the semantics of the base or semantic verb, in conjunction with the infinitive of which the modal unit is used, forming a complex (or compound) predicate of the verb-modal type.

In total, we can fix the use in speech of four actually (purely, exclusively) modal verbs (can, may - possibility; ought (to), must - necessity), their four main equivalents (to be allowed (to), to be able (to) - possibility; to have (to), to be (to) - necessity), as well as the use, in addition, in the modal function of six units of a multifunctional type (will, would - desire, probability; shall, should - obligation , obligation; need - necessity; dare - ability).

Lessons similar to English modal verbs:

Let's make a classification of English modal verbs in relation to their semantic criterion.:

table of modal verbs of the English language - semantic classification

	Features of semantics
	characteristic values	Usage examples
can	Ability (physical or mental type) to perform an action at the present, past or future moment	What weight can(physical. s-t in present) you carry? (How much weight can you lift?) He could(ums-th sp-th in th) speak French but he couldn't write it very well. (He could speak French well, but he could not write very well.)
	Request for sov-e dey-i in wop-ah	could I have your umbrella with me? (Could I take your umbrella with me?)
	Prohibition in rejects	You can not go now, stay with us for a while. (You can't leave now, stay with us for a while)
	Permission	You can write her a letter, if you want. (You can write her a letter if you want)
	Possibility (often within the framework of conditional incl.-i) to perform an action	We can hardly lose one another in the crowd. (We can hardly lose each other in the crowd = we are unlikely to have such an opportunity). The enemy could have lost three ships in the naval battle, if only…
	Probabilistic value (doubt, mistrust, etc.)	He can not feel bewildered or embarrassed, we have spoon-fed everything to him. (It can’t be that he was confused, but we chewed everything up for him (explained it)).
may	The possibility of an objective type of committing an action at the present, or bud-th moment	You May order everything you want (You can order whatever you want) She might(less real) order everything she wanted. (She could order whatever she wants)
	Request for sov-e dey-i in wop-ah (more official har-r)	May we have a short talk with your chief now? (Can we have a little chat with your boss now?)
	Prohibition in otr-yah (more official har-r)	You may not drink alcoholic drinks here. (Alcohol is not allowed here)
	Permission (more official har-r)	You may go. (you can go (you are free))
	Reproach, disapproval	They might change their employer. (They might change jobs.)
must	Necessity in mind personal conviction, large category	I'm sure that you must have an hour's talk with your professor. (I'm sure you should talk to your professor for an hour).
	Assumption on the verge of certainty	They must be at the railway station by now, they started three or two hours ago. (They must have been at the station by this time, they left (departed) two or three hours ago).
	Revealing the necessary deed-I dey-th in the wop-ah	Must we start this subject? (Are we supposed to start this conversation?)
	Category. prohibition in negatives	Hunters must not start a hare in early spring (Hunters are prohibited from raising a hare in early spring).
ought (to)	The need in mind to convince third parties, reflecting generally accepted truths, judgments, principles	Everybody ought to pay his debts. (Everyone must pay their debts).
	Assumption with a touch of confidence	You ought to be ready to start working by now. (You should be ready to start work by this time.)
	advice	You ought to traverse this subject. (You should discuss this issue from all sides).

to be able (to) = can	Opportunity to make a specific action in the definition. moment	She was able to change the situation then. (She was then able (could) change the situation).
to be allowed (to) = may	The possibility of committing an action in the present, past or future + shade of resolution	my sister is allowed to play outdoors. (My sister is allowed to play outside).
to have (to)= ought, must, should	The need to take action in the present, past or future at certain ob-wahs	They will have to set up in business soon. (They will soon have to open their own business).
to be (to)= ought, must, should	The need for con-I dey-I in the present-m, past-th in the presence of a certain. plans, schedules, etc.	We are to send Nick about his business. (We should (= plan to) send Nick out)

need	Only in denials (lack of necessities) and questions (doubt) constructs	I need not have told you about that. (I didn't have to tell you this). need I tell her about that? (Does she need to talk about it?).
dare	Have the courage to do something	I dare not protest. (I dare not object.) How dare you listen to a private conversation? (How dare you eavesdrop on someone else's conversation!)
will	Firm intention, desire in the bud	I will jump the stream! (I will definitely jump over this stream).
will	Order, duty	You will take a dare! (You will (must) accept the challenge!)
would	Firm intention, desire in the past	I would close the horse in the stall. I wear! (I would lock the horse in the stable, I swear).
	assumption	That would be his mother, I think. (It must be his mother, I think.)
	In the construction would (‘d) + rather (better), etc. - perhaps	I would be better leave things as they are. (I'd rather leave it as is).
shall	The need for f-me orders, promises; assurance, promise	You shall close the hole in the wall with plaster. (You should patch up the hole in the wall with plaster.) We shall Close this discussion! (We promise to stop this discussion)
shall	Request for half of advice in wop-ah	Shall we close up the old well, it seems to be rather dangerous? (We need to fill in the old well, does it seem quite dangerous?
should	Necessity in mind of some subject-th opinion (should), advice	I should end my remarks by quoting Lincoln. (I should end my comments with a quote from Lincoln.)
	Assumption with a touch of confidence	You should be running out of stock. (You are probably running out of supplies).
	Reproach, regret	The whole affair should not have ended fail! (The case should not have ended in failure!)

The above English modal verbs are often positioned in grammars as insufficient due to the lack of a number of grammatical forms typical of other willows. Thus, modal units do not have the traditional form of the third person singular in Present Ind-t (+ -s), with the exception of equivalent modal verbs. As a rule, modal verbs in English have a single aspect tense (present tense). Only the units can and may stand out from the general trend, which can have both the Past Ind-t form (could and might) and some equivalent modal verbs that can change in three forms (nast-m, bud-m and past-m - to be able (to) = to be allowed (to) = have (to)), two (present and past - to be (to), dare) tenses, or have a single form of the future (shall, will), past (would) or present (should and need) time.

In addition, modal verbs do not have impersonal participial, infinitive, or gerundial forms, and as a result, they are unable to form complex or analytical type tense forms (long, perfect, and other tenses).

Let's make a classification of English modal willows in relation to the features of their shape change:

table of modal verbs of the English language - form change

Proper (purely) modal units	Features of shaping
	Structure	Change in Indicative - Times
		present				Past			Future
can		can				could			—
may	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)	may				might			—
ought (to)		ought + to				—			—
must	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)	must				—			—
Modal units of equivalent type
to be able (to) = can	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la c (to)	am		able + to		was	able + to	shall be			able + to
		are				were		will be
		is				was		will be
		are				were		shall be
		are				were		will be
		are				were		will be
to be allowed (to) = may	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la c (to)	am		allowed+ to		was	allowed+ to	shall be			allowed + to
		are				are
		is				was		will be
		are				were		will be
		are				were		shall be
		are				were		will be
								will be
to have (to)= ought, must, should	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la c (to)	have		+ to		had + to		shall			have + to
		have						will
		has						will
		have						shall
		have						will
		have						will
to be (to)= ought, must, should	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la c (to)	am		able + to		was	able + to	—
		are				were
		is				was
		are				were
		are				were
		are				were
Verbal units of multifunctional type as modal ones
need	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		need		needed					—
dare	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		dare		dared					—
will	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		—		—					will
would	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		—		would					—
shall	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		—		—					shall
should	Maud. g-l + inf-in the sense of g-la without (to)		should		—					—

You will also need to remember the following:

a. The infinitive of the base verb, which is connected with the modal verb, as a rule, excludes the use of the particle to with it. However, the equivalents to be allowed (able), the actual modal unit ought, as well as multifunctional verbs with modal semantics to be and to have ignore this rule and retain the use of the above particle after them. —

You must(mod ch.) + be(inf-in the main ch-la without to ) extremely attentive in order not to aggravate the situation. (You have to be very careful not to aggravate the situation).

You may(mod ch.) + try(inf-in the main ch-la without to ) your chance, if you have the following intention, of course. (You can use your chance, of course, if you have such an intention).

Jane ought+ to change(inf-in the main chapter with to ) the course of events. (Jane should change the course of events).

We have + to amend(inf-in the main chapter with to ) the bill. (We are forced to change the bill)

b. Application within the framework of negative and interrogative constructions involves the use of modal English units (in addition to to have) without auxiliary verbs. —

You must be extremely attentive in order not to aggravate the situation. (You have to be very careful not to aggravate the situation). — why + mus t (mod ch-l) + we (sub-e) be extremely careful in order not to aggravate the situation? (Why should we be very careful not to make things worse?) - You must + not(negative hour.) + be(main inf.) extremely attentive in order not to aggravate the situation. (You don't have to be very careful not to make things worse).

We have to amend the bill. (We are forced to change the bill) - When + do (auxiliary) + we (sub-e) + have to amend the bill? (When are we forced to change the bill?) - We do (auxiliary) + not (negative hour) + have+ to amend(main inf.) the bill. (We don't need to change the bill).

in. Although modal units themselves do not have complex infinitive forms, they are nevertheless capable of being used together with any variants of the infinitive. So, to denote present or future actions, they will be used in conjunction with a simple or long type infinitive. —

His memory can +fail(simple infin-c) him. (His memory can change him) - a designation of the possibility of performing a simple action in the present.

They may+ be drawing(long infin.) from life now. (Perhaps they are now drawing from nature) - designate the likelihood of performing the action “now”.

To fix relations to past actions - together with the infinitive of the perfect type. —

why could+she have depicted(perf inf.) him to us as a traitor? (Why could she characterize him as a traitor to us?) - possible to commit. action in the past

I could+ have lost(perf-th inf.) my patience. (I could lose my patience) = but didn't.

Modal verbs and their equivalents - Modal verbs in English and their equivalents

Annotation to the material: Unfortunately, the topic of modal verbs and their equivalents in English is quite often poorly disclosed, especially in school textbooks. The maximum that an interested reader can find in them is only "superficial" information, which in a real language situation with a native English speaker can only aggravate the situation. As a result, one's own experience, often negative, becomes a teacher and a valid means of revealing this topic. The purpose of this material is to correct the current situation.

The first and main concept in this topic is the concept of modality in linguistics: modality- an expression of the speaker's attitude to the content of his statement.
Modal verbs express the attitude to the action (its necessity, probability, possibility of its commission, etc.).

Features of modal verbs in English

1. Do not change by person, do not have the ending -s / -es in the third person, singular (except for the equivalents of modal verbs: to have (to), to be (to), to be obliged (to)).
She can swim; he must be tired; it might rain later.
She has to wake up early; we are to read "War and Peace"; I am bound to you for your recent help.
2. Auxiliary verbs are not added to them when constructing interrogative and negative sentences. In such sentences, the modal verb itself plays the role of an auxiliary: in questions, it takes place before the subject, and in negations, the particle not is added to it (exceptions: to have (to) is used in questions and negations with an auxiliary verb; to be (to) and to be required (to) be in questions is used before the subject in the corresponding person and number (am / are / is) and adds the particle not in questions).
Shall we go for a walk? Can I help you? What should I do?
He can't dance; you mustn "t steal; you shouldn't lie.
Does he have to know I've never been kissed? Are we to meet inside? Is he bound to attend the audition?
She doesn't have to drink coffee; I am not to work today; I am not responsible to pay for this.
3. Not all modal verbs have the forms of the future and past tenses, and when they are expressed, they are replaced by equivalents. The aspectual forms of modal verbs are more correctly considered as separate modal verbs, and not as forms of one, due to their significant difference in use; in some cases this also applies to negative forms. All explanations and examples for this paragraph are further in the material.
4. They do not have an indefinite form of the verb (infinitive) as well as -ing forms. In such cases, the equivalents are used:
I'd love to be able to ski; I hate having to get up on cold mornings.
5. After them, the particle to of the semantic verb is not used (except for equivalents). The exception is the modal verb ought to.
You must go; I'll help you; you have to visit him; you ought to see a doctor.
6. Can be used with the perfect infinitive to describe actions that happened in the past:
You should have told me that you can't swim: you might have drowned!
7. Each modal verb has at least two meanings:
a. Expresses probability or possibility
b. Expresses opinion, judgment, attitude.

Modal verbs can be divided into two categories:

1. Directly modal verbs and their equivalents. These are verbs that are only modal, as well as their equivalents, which are used in tenses in which modal verbs themselves are not used.
2. Multifunctional verbs that perform the function of modal. This category includes verbs that can perform various functions, including the function of modal verbs.

Table of modal verbs in English

Modal verb and its equivalent	Meaning	present	Past	Future
Directly modal verbs and their equivalents
can to be able (to)		can am/are/is able (to)	could was/were able (to)	--- will be able (to)
may to be allowed (to)		may am/are/is allowed (to)	might was/were allowed (to)	--- will be allowed (to)
must		must	---	---
ought (to)		ought (to)	---	---
Equivalents of must verbs (must, ought, shall, should)
to have (to) to have got (to) (British colloquial)		have/has (got) (to)	had (got) (to)	will have (got) (to)
to be (to)		am/are/is (to)	was/were (to)	---
to be committed (to)		am/are/is official (to)	was/were required (to)	will be required (to)
Multifunctional verbs that perform the function of modal
shall		---	---	shall
should		should	---	---
will		---	---	will
would		---	would	---
need		need	---	---
dare		dare	dared	---

Abbreviations: can not = can "t = cannot, could not = couldn" t, may not = mayn "t, might not = mightn" t, must not = mustn "t, shall not = shan" t, should not = shouldn "t, will = "ll, will not = won"t, would = "d, would not = wouldn"t, need not = needn"t, dare not = daren"t ().

Expression of obligation

The modal verb must, the equivalents to have (to), to be obliged (to), to be (to), as well as the multifunctional verb will express a strong form of obligation.

Must is personal the verb of obligation and expresses personal desire or even demand of the speaker. This modal verb must be used very carefully:
You must come up to the reception in order to join a library. You have to go to the reception desk to sign up for the library (meaning I want, demand, actually order you to come to the reception desk, not just say so). The reaction of people who heard such "advice" will be quite obvious.
But you can say:
I must get my hair cut. I have to cut my hair (I want to).
In addition, must is used in official and written speech, often in impersonal sentences:
Books must be returned on or before the due date. Books must be returned no later than the specified deadline (library rule).

To have (to) expresses an obligation based on some rules or laws, on the authority of another person or on circumstances.
I can "t play tennis tomorrow. I have to go to the dentist. I won't be able to play tennis tomorrow. I need to go to the dentist (I have an appointment).
Children have to go to school until they are sixteen. Children under the age of sixteen must go to school (law).
Mum says you have to tidy your room before you go out. Mom says you should clean up your room before you leave. This sentence reflects the mother's order and not the speaker's order; On behalf of the mother, this requirement looks like this:
You must tidy your room before you go out. You must tidy up your room before leaving (I so want to, I order you to do this).
Compare:
Mum says you must tidy your room before you go out. In fact, this sentence means: "Mom says that me (speaking) I demand that you clean your room before you leave." Must is a personal modal verb; when someone's personal speech is transmitted in an indirect form, it is replaced by to have (to) / to have got (to).
Some examples for comparing must and to have (to)/to have got (to) :
I must stop smoking. I have to quit smoking (I want it).
I "ve got to stop smoking. I must stop smoking (doctor's order).
Questions with must are possible, but very rare. To have (to) is used much more often:
Must you buy these shabby jeans? Do you really need to buy those faded jeans? (Do you want it that way?)
Do you have to wear a tie at work? Do you have to wear a tie to work? (Do you have such a rule?)

The negative forms must not and do not have (to) differ significantly. Mustn't used to express prohibitions; don't have (to) denotes the absence of an obligation (any action can be performed if you want, but this is not mandatory).
You must not leave bicycles in front of the portal. It is forbidden to leave bicycles in front of the main entrance.
Passengers must not speak to the driver! Passengers are not allowed to talk to the driver!
You mustn "t steal other people" s things. It "s wrong! You can't steal other people's things! It's against the law!
Some people iron their socks, but you don't have to. I think it's a waste of time. Some people iron their socks, but you don't have to. I think it's a waste of time.
When you go into a shop, you don "t have to buy something. You can just look. When you go to the store, you don't have to buy something. You can just look.

To be committed (to) is also the equivalent of the modal verb must, but is used much less frequently than to have (to). The difference is that to be obliged (to) is a little more formal and expresses an obligation related to social, legal and moral aspects:
"The Constitution does not oblige government to avoid any public acknowledgment of religion's role in society," Anthony Kennedy said in his opinion.
I am obliged to you for your gracious hospitality. I thank you for your hospitality.

Equivalent to be (to) expresses an obligation by virtue of any agreement, in accordance with a plan or schedule.
The train is to arrive. Why is it still at the station? The train must depart (according to the schedule). Why is he still at the station?

Should and ought (to) express a weak duty or advice. Both modal verbs express what the speaker thinks is true.
You "re always asking me for money. I think you should spend less. You constantly ask me for money. I think you should spend less.
You ought to be more careful with your money. You need to be more careful with your money.
You shouldn't sit so close to the TV! It's bad for your eyes. You shouldn't sit so close to the TV! It's bad for the eyes.
There is practically no difference in the use of should and ought (to), but sometimes the latter expresses a moral duty:
You ought to visit your grandmother. You must visit your grandmother.
or regret:
You ought to help me! You must help me! (But you don't help.)

Multifunctional verb will as a modal verb in the 2nd and 3rd person singular. and many others. numbers expresses an order, obligation or recommendation. The use of this verb is more often resorted to in military institutions and schools.
You will do as you "ve been told. You will do as you were told.
The crew will come forward at midnight! The crew to move out at midnight!

Permission expression, permission

Can, could, may, might, to be allowed (to) are used to express permission and permission.

Can is used for questioning and asserting permission, while can't to deny this permission.
- Can I ask you a question? May I ask you a question?
- Yes, of course you can. Yes, you certainly may.
I'm sorry, you can't come in here. Unfortunately, you can't come here.

Modal verb could used as a more polite form.
Could you do me a favour? Could you do me a favor?

modal permission verb may more formal and much less common than can:
May I come in, sir? May I enter, sir?
Can and could (but not may) are used to talk about what is normally allowed.
Can you park in this street in Sundays? Is it possible to park on this street on Sundays?

Equivalent to be allowed (to) replaces may in the past and future tenses, is used as an infinitive and participle, and has no significant difference in meaning with the modal verb may.
You "ll be allowed to go out. You will be allowed / allowed to go out.

Past form of may - might used in the meaning of permission / permission is used only in the subordinate part of the sentence (mainly in indirect speech), when the verb of the main part is in the past tense, in other cases the equivalent to be allowed (to) is used.
Austin said you might take his diary. Austin said you could take his diary.
I was allowed to take the diary. I was allowed to take the diary.

Expression of ability, possibility

The ability or ability to perform some action is expressed using the modal verb can, its equivalent to be able (to) and the expression managed (to).

To be able (to) means the same as can, but can is used much more frequently. To be able (to) is more formal.
Can you come to a meeting next week? Can you come to the meeting next week?
Please inform us if you are able to attend a meeting next week. Please let us know if you can attend next week's meeting.
To be able to have temporary? e forms that the modal verb can does not have:
I "d love to be able to fly. I would really like to be able to fly.
I like being able to jollify if I want. I find it nice to be able to have fun whenever I want.
I "ve never been able to cook. I never knew how to cook.
She "ll be able to see you tomorrow. She will be able to meet you tomorrow.

To express ability/opportunity in the general past tense, a modal verb is used could.
I could swim when I was four. I could swim when I was four years old.
And to express a one-time action in a certain situation in the past, it is used to be able (to) or expression managed (to).
The woman was drawing, but a lifeguard managed to swim to her and pull her out of the water. That woman was drowning, but the lifeguard was able to swim up to her and pull her out of the water.
The prisoners were able to escape by bribing the guards. The prisoners were able to escape by bribing the guards.
An exception to this rule are the verbs of feeling and perception. With such verbs, the modal verb could is used.
When we came into the building, I could smell something burning. When we entered the building, I smelled something burning.
We could remember where I lost my passport. I was able to remember where I had lost my passport.

Couldn't used to express the inability / impossibility of performing an action in the past.
My mother couldn't swim until she was 47. My mother couldn't swim until she was 47.
I couldn't find my wallet anywhere. I couldn't find my wallet anywhere.

Note: Can and can "t can be used to express a future action if the speaker decides at the moment of the conversation (that is, he knows for sure) that he can or cannot take it.
I can see you tomorrow morning for half an hour. I can meet you tomorrow morning for half an hour.
Compare:
One day we will be able to live without wars. Someday we will be able to live without warriors.

Shall I/we ... ? used as a request for advice, as a proposal or invitation (it is often translated into Russian as an affirmative rather than an interrogative sentence).
Shall I carry your bag? Let me carry your bag.
What shall I do? What should I do? (Advise me.)
Shall we dance? Let's Dance.
Shall we go to the seaside or the mountains? Shall we go to the coast or to the mountains? (Advised.)

Expression of confidence, probability

In addition to obligation, permission and ability, modal verbs can express degrees of certainty and probability. The following modal verbs are arranged in order of "fading" the degree of probability they express: must, will (would) could, may, might, can "t. For greater clarity, the above modal verbs can be assigned an approximate percentage of probability:

Must and can't are used to express a logical conclusion: must - logically possible and can "t - logically impossible. Both verbs do not mean one hundred percent certainty of the possibility or impossibility of an action due to the lack of certain facts, but express a very high degree of it.
Martin must have some problems - he is kind of sullen. Martin must be in trouble: he's kind of gloomy.
There "s the doorbell. It must be Rodger. He always comes home at this time. Someone rings the doorbell. It must be Roger. He always comes home at this time.
Suzie can "t have a ten-year-old daughter! She" s only twenty-five herself! Susie can't have a ten year old daughter! She's only twenty-five herself!
You can "t be serious. I know you are joking. You're not serious. I know you're joking.

could, may and might usually accented in speech.
Dave and Lucy aren't at home. They could be in the theater, I suppose. Dave and Lucy aren't at home. I think they might be in the theater (≈80% sure; Dave and Lucy often go to the theater).
We may go to Greece for our holidays. We haven't decided yet. Maybe we'll spend our holidays in Greece. We haven't decided yet (≈50% certainty).
She may be at home. She may be at home (≈50% certainty).
Ann might be there too. Maybe Ann is there too (≈20%; low certainty)
According to the radio, it may rain today (≈50%). It might even snow (≈20%). According to the radio it might rain today. Or maybe even snow.

The continuous infinitive is used after the modal verb of probability to express the possible activity taking place at the moment.
His light "s on. He must be working late. The light is on. It must be working.
It "s only 8:10. They can" t be having a break yet. It's only ten past eight now. They can't have a break.

Design modal verb + perfect infinitive expresses the degree of probability in the past:
They could have moved house. They could have moved.
Robert must have gone out. Robert must have left (he is not at home now).
She passed me in the street without speaking: she can "t have seen me. He walked past me without even saying hello: I think she didn't see me.
I rang Helen but she didn't reply, so I suppose she may have been in the bath. I called Helen, but she didn't answer, I think she was in the bathroom.

As already mentioned at the beginning of this material, each modal verb can express probability and judgment. The listed must, could, may, might, can "t more than express all possible ways of indicating probability and are suitable for almost all life situations. But despite this, probability can also be expressed: should, ought (to), will, would and need Cases of their use in this sense are quite rare, but they still exist.

Should and ought (to) express an assumption based on facts.
They should all be of equal speed. They probably all have the same speed.
It ought not to be very hard to get the village. Probably, getting to this village will not be very difficult.

Will and would express an assumption based on the subjective opinion of the speaker.
We heard the phone call. "That would be Charles", I said, knowing I was right. We heard a phone call. "I guess it's Charles," I replied, knowing I was right.
That will be the postman, I expect. It must be the postman.

need used in negative sentences in the sense of the assumption that the action is optional.
It needn't take you very long. It probably won't take you long.

Expression of desire, intention, determination

Desires and intentions are expressed by multifunctional verbs will and would used with the 1st person unit. and many others. number in a construction with an imperfect infinitive. Usually, shall is used with the first person, and the use of will gives a shade of determination and desire. In such cases, the modal verb will is not reduced to "ll" and is stressed in the sentence; it either does not translate into Russian at all or is translated as "want", "definitely", etc.
I will do it whether you like it or not. I'll do it anyway, whether you like it or not.
I will answer you as soon as I can. I will certainly answer you as soon as I can.
I will let you know! I will definitely let you know!
I would tell you, I wear! I would tell you, I swear!
In addition, would is quite often used in constructions:
would rather
would better
would sooner
I "d rather go for a walk. Perhaps I'll go for a walk.
I "d better pay more at once instead of paying every week. I'd rather pay more right away than pay every week.
She "d sooner break up with me then apologize to me. She would rather break up with me than ask for forgiveness.

Will and would in negative form used with animate nouns to express refusal and unwillingness, and with inanimate nouns indicate non-functioning, resistance or opposition:
I won't come back here again. I will never come back here again.
She won "t go to the cafe. She doesn't want to go to the cafe.
Would in the meaning of negation can be used for both the present and the past tense:
I wouldn't lend him even a penny. I don't want to lend him even a penny.
I invited Eric several times, but he wouldn't come. I invited Eric several times, but he did not want to come.
The window won "t open. The window does not open in any way
The car wouldn'r start. The car won't start.
The pen won't write. The pen doesn't write.
Will and would in questions express polite requests, suggestions and invitations. Would is a less formal and more polite verb and is more commonly associated with colloquial style.
Will you have some more juice? Want more juice?
Will you give him this package? Will you pass this message to him?/Give him this message, please.
Will you wait a few? Wait a bit, please./Won't you wait a bit?
More polite would:
Would you show me that vest? Please, show me that vest over there.
Would you help me? Could you help me?
In addition, would is often found in colloquial speech in such set expressions as:
Would you mind...
Would you like ...
Would you be so kind as to...
Would you mind clothing the door? Do you mind closing the door? / Please close the door.
Would you like to take a walk? Do you want to go for a walk?/Do you want to go for a walk?
Would you be so kind as to remove your finger from the pie? Please take your finger off the pie.

Modal verb need expresses necessity and is used only in questions and negations.
You needn "t lie to me. You don't need to lie to me.
In speech, need is mainly used not as a modal, but as an ordinary (semantic) verb and, accordingly, is used with auxiliary verbs, the particle to, and takes time-dependent endings.
You don "t need to lie to me. You don't need to lie to me.

A similar situation is observed in the case of the verb dare, which has translations: “dare”, “dare”, “dare”, “dare”, etc. Dare can also be used as a semantic and as a modal verb, but in reality it is used mainly as a modal (as opposed to need). Dare is used as a modal verb only in interrogative and negative sentences.
Dare you use my own knowledge against me? You dare to use my knowledge against me?
I dare to ask you a private question. I dare to ask you a personal question.

Features of modal verbs in examples with translation

Modal verbs in English function as auxiliary verbs, they change the meaning of another verb they control. The main verb that follows the modal is usually used in the form of the infinitive without the particle to, with the exception of the modal verb ought, which is used with the particle to

I might see him tomorrow(I may see him tomorrow)

Modal verbs in English never change their form: no need to add-(e)s in third person singular, -ed (past tense), -ing

Paul can help us(Paul can help us)

Also, modal verbs do not require the use of do when forming a question and a negative.

Will I go?(I will go?)
They mustn't worry about that(They don't have to worry about it)

Modal verbs can be used with verbs in and in Passive:

I should be worrying(I should be worried)
The letter can be written on Sunday(Letter can be written on Sunday)

Modal verbs can be used in short answers and:

She will arrive tomorrow, won't she? Well, she might(She's coming tomorrow, isn't she? Well, yes, maybe)

Modal verbs usually express attitudes towards the present and the future:

I can leave the party immediately, if she likes(I can leave the party immediately if she wants) - real
I may call him later(I can call him later) - future

But some of them express attitudes towards past events:

John could read before he went to school(John could read before he went to school)

Sometimes, instead of modal, it is necessary to use other verbs that are not modal and all of the above properties do not apply to them. These verbs are used with the particle to and have all the properties of ordinary verbs: have to, used to, are (is) was to, be able to, need to, managed to, be supposed to, be allowed to.

You dare me to run a marathon race(You gave me the courage to run a marathon)
Does he need to read now?(Does he need to read now?)

Sometimes these same verbs act as modal and then they are used without a particle to:

They dare say(they dare to speak)
You never need to meet him again(You never have to see him again)

Modal verbs in English are used to:

1. Expressions of confidence that something will happen - will, shall.

Import will continue to fall over the next year(Imports will continue to decline over the next year)
We shall be staying in London for the next week(We will be staying in London next week)

You can emphasize confidence by adding words really, (most) certainly/definitely, almost certainly

She definitely won't like the soup(She definitely won't like the soup)
They'll certainly like their new shoes(They will surely love their new boots)

2. Expressions of doubt, adding words probably, presumably

He probably won't like his new job(Maybe he will like his new job)
We'll presumably want another thing(We apparently need another thing)

Difference between will and shall

Shall is used for I, we. For others, it is considered obsolete. Only will used in the question of predictions.

Will I win the race, do you think?(Do you think I'll win the race?)

Shall used to offer something very politely or to ask for advice:

Shall I open the window?(Should I open the window?)
Shall I wear the green or the yellow pants?(Should I wear green or yellow pants?)

3. Expressions of the possibility that something will happen
We use may, might, could to express the possibility

It may/might/could rain tomorrow(Maybe it will rain tomorrow)