Modal verbs — can, should, must · Verbes modaux — can, should, must
Modal verbs — little helpers
- Modal verbs add meaning: ability, advice, obligation.
- can, could, should, must, have to.
- They are followed by the base verb (no to, no -s).
You should sleep; your alarm clock is ready for tomorrow.
Verbes modaux — petits auxiliaires
- Les verbes modaux ajoutent du sens : capacité, conseil, obligation.
- can, could, should, must, have to.
- Ils sont suivis par le verbe à l'infinitif sans to (pas de to, pas de -s).
You should sleep; your alarm clock is ready for tomorrow.
can / could — ability & requests
- can = ability or possibility: I can swim.
- could = past ability, or a polite request: She could read at four. Could you help me?
- After can / could, use the base verb: can swim (not can to swim).
can / could — capacité & demandes
- can = capacité ou possibilité : I can swim.
- could = capacité passée, ou demande polie : She could read at four. Could you help me?
- Après can / could, utilisez le verbe à l'infinitif sans to : can swim (pas can to swim).
Which sentence is correct? · Quelle phrase est correcte ?
A modal is followed by the base verb (no “to”, no -ing): “can swim”. · Un verbe modal est suivi du verbe à l'infinitif sans « to », sans -ing : « can swim ».
should — advice
- should = advice, "it's a good idea": You should see a doctor.
- Negative shouldn't = "it's not a good idea": You shouldn't eat so late.
- It is softer and gentler than must.
should — conseil
- should = conseil, « c'est une bonne idée » : You should see a doctor.
- Négatif shouldn't = « ce n'est pas une bonne idée » : You shouldn't eat so late.
- C'est plus doux et plus faible que must.
Give advice: You ___ see a doctor. (use one modal verb) · Donner un conseil : You ___ see a doctor. (utilisez un seul verbe modal)
Advice → should: “You should see a doctor.” · Conseil → should : « You should see a doctor. »
Translate into English: 你应该去看医生。 · Traduisez en anglais : 你应该去看医生。
Advice → should + base verb: “You should see a doctor.” · Conseil → should + verbe à l'infinitif : « You should see a doctor. »
must / have to — obligation
- must and have to = "it's necessary": You must wear a seatbelt. I have to get up early.
- mustn't = it's forbidden: You mustn't smoke here.
- don't have to = it's not necessary: You don't have to come.
must / have to — obligation
- must et have to = « c'est nécessaire » : You must wear a seatbelt. I have to get up early.
- mustn't = c'est interdit : You mustn't smoke here.
- don't have to = ce n'est pas nécessaire : You don't have to come.
What does the modal do? · Que fait le verbe modal ?
can = ability; should = advice; must / have to = obligation. · can = capacité ; should = conseil ; must / have to = obligation.
“You mustn't smoke here.” — Does this mean it is forbidden? · « You mustn't smoke here. » — Cela signifie-t-il que c'est interdit ?
mustn't = it is forbidden. (don't have to = not necessary — different!) · mustn't = c'est interdit. (don't have to = pas nécessaire — différent !)
Common mistakes
- ❌ You must to go. → ✓ You must go. — modals never take to.
- ❌ She musts study. → ✓ She must study. — modals never take -s.
- Careful: mustn't = not allowed; don't have to = not necessary. Opposite meanings!
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ You must to go. → ✓ You must go. — les modaux ne prennent jamais to.
- ❌ She musts study. → ✓ She must study. — les modaux ne prennent jamais -s.
- Attention : mustn't = pas autorisé ; don't have to = pas nécessaire. Sens opposés !
Match each sentence to its meaning. · Associez chaque phrase à sa signification.
mustn't forbids; don't have to means it's optional; should advises; must requires. · mustn't interdit ; don't have to signifie que c'est facultatif ; should conseille ; must exige.
Complete with the past of “must”: Yesterday I ___ work late. · Complétez avec le passé de « must » : Yesterday I ___ work late.
must has no past form — use had to. · must n'a pas de forme passée — utilisez had to.
- Modals + base verb (no to, no -s).
- can / could = ability & requests; should = advice.
- must / have to = necessary; mustn't = forbidden ≠ don't have to = not necessary.
- Modaux + verbe à l'infinitif sans to (pas de to, pas de -s).
- can / could = capacité & demandes ; should = conseil.
- must / have to = nécessaire ; mustn't = interdit ≠ don't have to = pas nécessaire.
A friend is tired and stressed. Write one sentence of advice using “should”. · Un ami est fatigué et stressé. Écrivez une phrase de conseil utilisant « should ».
Example: “You should go to bed early and relax.” · Exemple : « You should go to bed early and relax. »