Their parents were unable to send them any money.
It was not possible to dismiss his behaviour as a contributing factor.
It was impossible for her to obey this order.
5.228 All modals except can and could can be used with these expressions.
A machine ought to be able to do this.
The United States would be unable to produce any wood.
It may be impossible to predict which way things will develop.
5.229 Used to can be used with be able to and be possible to.
You used to be able to go to the doctor for that.
It used to be possible to buy second-hand wigs.
For more information about used to, see paragraphs 5.252 to 5.256.
saying how likely something is
5.230 You can use have to or have got to instead of must to show that you think something is the case, because of particular facts or circumstances.
‘That looks about right.’ – ‘It has to be.’
Money has got to be the reason.
5.231 You can use be going to instead of will to say that something is certain to happen or be the case in the future.
The children are going to be fishermen or farmers.
Life is going to be a bit easier from now on.
5.232 You can use be bound to or be sure to to say emphatically that something is certain to happen in the future.
Marion’s bound to be back soon.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
The roads are sure to be busy this weekend.
giving instructions and making requests
5.233 Instead of beginning a question with can or could when you are making a request, you can begin it with is and the impersonal pronoun it. After it, you put an expression such as all right and either a to-infinitive clause or an if-clause.
Is it all right for him to come in and sit and read his paper? Is it okay if we have lunch here?
5.234 You can use want instead of would like to give an instruction or make a request. Want is more direct and less polite than would like.
I want you to turn to the front of the atlas.
I want to know what you think about this.
I want to speak to the manager.
Wanted is also sometimes used. It is more polite than want.
I wanted to ask if you could give us any advice.
Good morning, I wanted to book a holiday in the South of France.
stating an intention
5.235 You can use be going to instead of will to state an intention.
I am going to talk to Boris.
I’m going to show you our little school.
5.236 You use intend to to state a fairly strong intention.
I intend to go to Cannes for a month in August.
I don’t intend to stay very long.
5.237 You use be determined to or be resolved to to indicate a very strong intention to do something. Be resolved to is rather formal.
I’m determined to try.
She was resolved to marry a rich American.
5.238 You can use have to or have got to instead of must to show that it is important that you do something.
I have to get home now.
It’s something I have got to overcome.
expressing unwillingness
5.239 You can use I am not instead of I will not to say firmly that you are unwilling to do or accept something. I am not is followed by an -ing participle.
I am not staying in this hospital. I’m not having dirty rugs.
5.240 You can use refuse instead of will not when you are refusing to do something. Refuse is followed by a to-infinitive clause.
I refuse to list possible reasons.
I refuse to pay.
5.241 You can use unwilling or reluctant with a to-infinitive clause to say that someone is not willing to do or accept something.
He is unwilling to answer the questions.
They seemed reluctant to talk about what had happened.
You can use several adjectives after not to say that someone is unwilling to do or accept something.
Exporters are not willing to supply goods on credit.
I’m not prepared to teach him anything.
Thompson is not keen to see history repeat itself.
indicating importance
5.242 You can use have to or have got to instead of must to say that something is necessary or extremely important.
We have to look more closely at the record of their work together.
This has got to be put right.
You’ve got to be able to communicate.
5.243 Need to can also be used instead of must or have to.
We need to change the balance of power.
You do not need to worry.
5.244 You can also say that something is important or necessary by using a sentence beginning with the impersonal pronoun it, followed by is, an adjective such as important or necessary, and a that-clause.