Modal verbs express ability, obligation, advice or permission. 🔹 CAN — capacité / permission: • Ability: I can swim. (Je sais nager.) • Permission: Can I go out please? (Puis-je sortir ?) • Negative: I cannot (can't) drive. (Je ne sais pas conduire.) 🔹 MUST — obligation / interdiction: • Obligation: You must wear a seatbelt. (Tu dois porter une ceinture.) • Strong prohibition: You must not (mustn't) smoke here. • Déduction: He must be tired. (Il doit être fatigué.) 🔹 SHOULD — conseil / recommandation: • Advice: You should drink more water. (Tu devrais boire plus d'eau.) • Criticism: He shouldn't eat so much sugar. • Weaker than 'must' — suggestion, not obligation 🔹 MAY — permission formelle / possibilité: • Permission (formal): May I ask a question? (Puis-je poser une question ?) • Possibility: It may rain tomorrow. (Il se peut qu'il pleuve demain.) 🔹 Structure with modals: Modal + verb (base form) — NO to, NO -s, NO -ing • He can swim ✓ / He can to swim ✗ / He cans ✗ • She must study ✓ / She must studies ✗ • Questions: Can you help me? / Must I come? • Negatives: You shouldn't / You can't / You mustn't

📝 Examples in context: School rules: • Students must arrive on time. (obligation) • You must not use your phone in class. (interdiction) • You should do your homework every day. (conseil) • Students can use the library after school. (permission) Health advice: • You should sleep at least 8 hours a night. • You shouldn't eat too much fast food. • You must drink clean water to avoid diseases. 💡 Must vs Should: • MUST = obligatoire (si tu ne le fais pas, c'est grave) • SHOULD = conseillé (c'est une bonne idée mais pas obligatoire)