Basic modals
Les modaux (can, could, should, must, may, might) ajoutent une attitude à un verbe : capacité, permission, conseil, obligation ou probabilité. Choisir un modal, c'est choisir un sens. Ici tu revois les modaux de base classes par sens.
Apprentissage rapide
Les modaux ajoutent une attitude à un verbe : capacité, permission, conseil, obligation ou probabilité. En choisir un, c'est choisir un sens.
À retenir
- can et could pour la capacité et la permission.
- should pour le conseil ; must et have to pour l'obligation.
- may et might pour une probabilité dont le locuteur n'est pas sur.
Exemples
- 1Emma can speak three foreign languages fluently and plays the violin.
- 2Could you please close the classroom door so we can hear the audio?
Piège courant à éviter
must not et don't have to ne sont pas des variantes l'un de l'autre mais des contraires : l'un interdit, l'autre libere.
Approfondir
La règle
What modals do
Modal auxiliary verbs modify the meaning of the main verb by expressing ability, possibility, permission, advice, or obligation. The fundamental modal verbs at Level A2 are can, could, should, must, and the semi-modal have to.
Rules every modal follows
Universal Structural Rules for Modals:
(1) Always followed directly by the bare base verb without to (I can swim, NOT I can to swim).
(2) Never add third-person singular -s (he can, she must, NOT he cans).
(3) Invert directly with the subject to form questions without do or does (Can you help me?, Should I call him?).
(4) Negatives add not directly or contract with n't (cannot / can't, shouldn't, mustn't).
Can and could
Functions: Can: Ability ("I can speak Spanish") and permission or requests ("Can I open the window?"). Could: Past ability ("When I was young, I could run fast") or polite requests ("Could you pass the salt, please?").
Should, must and have to
Should: Advice and recommendations.
- You look exhausted; you should sleep
Must: Strong personal obligation or strict official rules.
- Passengers must wear seatbelts
Have to: External necessity or legal obligation.
- In the UK, motorists have to drive on the left
Anatomie de la phrase
Des phrases de cette leçon, découpées dans l'ordre qu'exige l'anglais.
SujetEmmaAuxiliairecanVerbespeakObjetthree foreign languagesManièrefluentlyPropositionand plays the violin.
SujetAll motor vehicle passengersAuxiliairemustVerbefastenObjettheir seatbeltsTempsbefore departure.
SujetVisitorsAuxiliairemustNégationnotVerbetakeObjetphotographsLieuinside the historical church sanctuary.
Guide visuel
How to read this A2 topic
At A2, the challenge is choosing between similar time frames, pronouns, and quantity patterns.
1. Look for the time clue
Yesterday, now, every day, already, and since often decide the tense.
I watched it yesterday.
2. Choose the pattern first
Pick the whole grammar structure before choosing the final word.
I am going to study.
3. Check word position
Adverbs, objects, and pronouns must sit in natural English order.
I know him well.
Modal verbs
Modals are followed by the base verb. They do not take third-person -s.
| Meaning | Present / future | Past or perfect reference | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ability | can | could / was able to | She can swim. |
| obligation | must / have to | had to | We must leave. |
| advice | should | should have + participle | You should rest. |
| deduction | must / might / can't | must have / might have / can't have | He must be tired. |
Contrasts that often decide the answer
Event or background
Simple forms move events forward; continuous forms show an action in progress.
I left while she was talking.
Fact or stance
Modals, hedges, and reporting structures show how certain or responsible the speaker sounds.
This may indicate a problem.
Clause or compressed phrase
Advanced writing often compresses full clauses into participle, noun, or prepositional phrases.
Having reviewed the data, we revised the plan.
Exemples
- 1Emma can speak three foreign languages fluently and plays the violin.
- 2Could you please close the classroom door so we can hear the audio?
- 3You look very tired after the long drive; you should rest for an hour.
- 4All motor vehicle passengers must fasten their seatbelts before departure.
- 5I have to wake up at six o'clock every morning to catch the commuter train.
- 6We cannot process your passport application without your physical signature.
- 7Can I borrow your English dictionary for ten minutes during the exercise?
- 8Visitors must not take photographs inside the historical church sanctuary.
- 9You don't have to wash the dishes tonight because I washed them earlier.
- 10Should we take a warm jacket with us in case the evening turns chilly?
Exceptions
Formal Orthography: Cannot is written as one single undivided word in standard English (cannot, never can not). Critical Contrast between Mustn't and Don't have to: Must not (mustn't) expresses strict prohibition: doing the action is forbidden or dangerous ("You mustn't touch that wire"). Don't have to expresses absence of obligation: the action is optional and unnecessary ("Tomorrow is Sunday, so you don't have to get up early").
Erreurs fréquentes
Inserting to after modal verbs
Erreur
You should to drink more water.
Correct
You should drink more water.
Modals are followed by bare infinitives.
Adding third-person -s to modals
Erreur
He cans swim very fast.
Correct
He can swim very fast.
Modals never take -s.
Confusing mustn't and don't have to
Erreur
You mustn't come if you are sick.
Correct
You don't have to come if you are sick.
Meaning it is optional.
Récap
L'essentiel de la leçon sur une carte, avant de te tester.
À retenir
- can et could pour la capacité et la permission.
- should pour le conseil ; must et have to pour l'obligation.
- may et might pour une probabilité dont le locuteur n'est pas sur.
Erreurs fréquentes
Erreur: You should to drink more water.
Correct: You should drink more water.Erreur: He cans swim very fast.
Correct: He can swim very fast.Erreur: You mustn't come if you are sick.
Correct: You don't have to come if you are sick.
Teste-toi
Regroupe les fiches par sens et non par forme, puis entraîne-toi sur ce point.
Points de grammaire associés
Poursuivez votre apprentissage avec d'autres notions de ce niveau.