GRAMMAR A2 Modal Verbs Ability Advice Obligation Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

A2 Modal Verbs A2 Modal Verbs

Learn to use can, could, should, must, mustn’t and have to to express ability, requests, advice, obligation, prohibition and necessity. Impara a usare can, could, should, must, mustn’t e have to per esprimere capacità, richieste, consigli, obblighi, divieti e necessità.

can swimcould readshould rest must wearmustn’t enterhave to work

Student detailsDati studente

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1. See it in context1. Guarda i modal verbs nel contesto

“You must wear a helmet on this road. You mustn’t use your phone while driving. You should check your bike before leaving, and you can ask for help if you have a problem.” “You must wear a helmet on this road. You mustn’t use your phone while driving. You should check your bike before leaving, and you can ask for help if you have a problem.”
What students must noticeCosa devono notare gli studenti

must wear: obbligo forte.

mustn’t use: divieto.

should check: consiglio.

can ask: possibilità o capacità.

2. Take on board: the A2 control panel2. Da portare via: il pannello di controllo A2

Most modal verbs are followed directly by the base form, without to and without -s. La maggior parte dei verbi modali è seguita direttamente dalla forma base, senza to e senza -s.

1. Ability
can / could + base verb

She can swim.

2. Advice
should / shouldn’t + base verb

You should rest.

3. Strong obligation
must + base verb

You must stop.

4. Prohibition
mustn’t + base verb

You mustn’t enter.

5. Necessity
have to + base verb

I have to work.

6. No necessity
don’t have to + base verb

You don’t have to come.

3. The modal verbs map3. La mappa dei modal verbs

Core formula:Formula centrale:

subject + modal + base verb: I can drive. She should rest. They must leave.

can / can’t

Ability: I can swim.

Permission: You can sit here.

Request: Can you help me?

Italian trap: Non dire can to swim o cans swim.

could / couldn’t

Past ability: I could read at five.

Polite request: Could you repeat that?

Italian trap: Could resta uguale con tutti i soggetti.

should / shouldn’t

Advice: You should study more.

Negative advice: You shouldn’t worry.

Italian trap: Should non significa obbligo assoluto.

must / mustn’t

Obligation: You must wear a badge.

Prohibition: You mustn’t smoke here.

Italian trap: Mustn’t significa “vietato”, non “non necessario”.

have to / don’t have to

Necessity: I have to leave early.

No necessity: You don’t have to pay.

Italian trap: Have to cambia con il soggetto: he has to.

QuestionsDomande

Can you drive?

Should I call her?

Do you have to work?

Italian trap: Con have to usa do/does nelle domande.

4. Ability and requests: can and could4. Capacità e richieste: can e could

UseUsoFormFormaExampleEsempio
Present abilitycanI can use Excel.
Past abilitycouldShe could swim at six.
Everyday requestCan you…?Can you open the door?
More polite requestCould you…?Could you speak more slowly?

5. Advice: should and shouldn’t5. Consigli: should e shouldn’t

Positive adviceConsiglio positivo

You should drink more water.

He should speak to his manager.

Negative adviceConsiglio negativo

You shouldn’t stay up late.

They shouldn’t drive in this weather.

Meaning:Significato:

should = è una buona idea.

shouldn’t = non è una buona idea.

6. Obligation and necessity6. Obbligo e necessità

FormFormaMeaningSignificatoExampleEsempio
muststrong obligation / speaker’s ruleYou must be careful.
have toexternal rule or necessityI have to wear a uniform.
mustn’tprohibitionYou mustn’t take photos.
don’t have tono necessityYou don’t have to book.
Critical contrast:Contrasto fondamentale:

You mustn’t leave. = Non puoi uscire; è vietato.

You don’t have to leave. = Non è necessario uscire.

7. Form and word order7. Forma e ordine delle parole

TypeTipoStructureStrutturaExampleEsempio
Affirmative modalsubject + modal + base verbShe can drive.
Negative modalsubject + modal + not + base verbShe can’t drive.
Modal questionmodal + subject + base verb?Can she drive?
Have to questiondo/does + subject + have to?Does she have to drive?

8. Italian brain vs English brain8. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoCommon mistakeErrore comuneNatural EnglishInglese naturale
So guidare.I can to drive.I can drive.
Lei sa nuotare.She cans swim.She can swim.
Dovresti riposare.You should to rest.You should rest.
Non è necessario venire.You mustn’t come.You don’t have to come.
È vietato entrare.You don’t have to enter.You mustn’t enter.
Deve lavorare.He have to work.He has to work.

9. Common mistakes9. Errori comuni

❌ She can to speak English.

Do not use to after can.Non usare to dopo can.

✅ She can speak English.
❌ He musts leave now.

Modal verbs do not take -s.I verbi modali non prendono la -s.

✅ He must leave now.
❌ You mustn’t come tomorrow. It isn’t necessary.

Mustn’t means prohibited.Mustn’t significa vietato.

✅ You don’t have to come tomorrow.
❌ Does she has to work?

After does, use have.Dopo does usa have.

✅ Does she have to work?

10. Concept Check Questions10. Domande di controllo del concetto

1. What form follows a modal verb?1. Quale forma segue un verbo modale?
2. Which modal expresses present ability?2. Quale modale esprime capacità nel presente?
3. Which modal is commonly used for advice?3. Quale modale si usa comunemente per dare consigli?
4. Which sentence expresses prohibition?4. Quale frase esprime un divieto?

11. Quick Check11. Quick Check

1. Marta _____ speak three languages.1. Marta _____ parlare tre lingue.
2. You look tired. You _____ go to bed earlier.2. Sembri stanco. _____ andare a letto prima.
3. Passengers _____ wear a seat belt.3. I passeggeri _____ indossare la cintura di sicurezza.
4. You _____ park here. It’s forbidden.4. Non _____ parcheggiare qui. È vietato.
5. I _____ get up early tomorrow because I start work at seven.5. _____ alzarmi presto domani perché inizio a lavorare alle sette.

12. Challenge Check12. Challenge Check

1. Choose the correct sentence.1. Scegli la frase corretta.
2. When I was six, I _____ swim very well.2. Quando avevo sei anni, _____ nuotare molto bene.
3. You _____ bring food. We already have enough.3. Non _____ portare cibo. Ne abbiamo già abbastanza.
4. You _____ eat so much sugar.4. Non _____ mangiare così tanto zucchero.
5. Which sentence is a polite everyday request?5. Quale frase è una richiesta cortese quotidiana?

13. Write it in English13. Scrivi in inglese

1. So nuotare molto bene.
2. Dovresti parlare con il tuo insegnante.
3. Devo indossare una divisa al lavoro.
4. Non devi usare il telefono qui. È vietato.
5. Non devi venire domani. Non è necessario.

14. Sentence correction and transformation14. Correzione e trasformazione delle frasi

1. Correct the sentence.

She can to speak French.

2. Correct the meaning.

You mustn’t come early. It is not necessary.

3. Rewrite using SHOULD.

It is a good idea to rest.

4. Rewrite using MUSTN’T.

It is forbidden to enter.

5. Rewrite using COULD.

I was able to ride a bike when I was five.

15. Mini dialogue practice15. Mini dialogo pratico

A: “I have an important exam tomorrow.”A: “Domani ho un esame importante.”

16. Guided writing task16. Writing guidato

Write 50–80 words giving advice and rules for a new student, employee or visitor. Use at least five modal structures. Scrivi 50–80 parole dando consigli e regole a un nuovo studente, dipendente o visitatore. Usa almeno cinque strutture modali.

can + base verb
could + base verb
should + base verb
must / mustn’t
have to / don’t have to
connector
Capital letter + punctuation + 50 words
Model answer:

New students should arrive ten minutes early and must bring their course book. They can use the study room before class, but they mustn’t make phone calls there. They don’t have to bring a laptop because the school provides computers. If they need help, they can speak to reception. They should also check their timetable every week.

17. Use it in real life17. Usalo nella vita reale

At work or schoolAl lavoro o a scuola

Example:
You must sign in, but you don’t have to wear formal clothes.

Giving adviceDare consigli

Example:
You should practise every day, and you shouldn’t worry about small mistakes.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation and we will help you identify the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio: ti aiuteremo a individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

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