Emily

Andrew, I'm (I am) having a few problems with modal verbs.

Andrew, tengo algunos problemas con los verbos modales.

Andrew
Don't (Do not) worry, Emily.They're a bit like a jigsaw puzzle.It's (It is)
simply a question of time.
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
No te preocupes, Emily. Son un poco como un puzzle. Es slo cuestin de tiempo. T
puedes hacer cualquier cosa si te lo propones!

This house is a bit like a castle- Esta casa es un poco como un castillo
It's simply a question of strength- Es slo cuestin de fuerza
It's (It is) just a question of numbers- Es slo cuestin de nmeros
It's only a question of decision- Es slo cuestin de decisin
If you put your mind to it- Si te concentras en ello
You can finish your project if you put your mind to it
Puedes acabar el proyecto si te concentras en ello

Emily
Can you help me then?
Puedes t ayudarme entonces?

Andrew
No problem.We'll start with one of the most common verbs.The verb can
expresses ability or permission: "I can play tennis" or "Can I go with you?".
No hay problema. Empezaremos con uno de los verbos ms comunes. El verbo "can"
expresa habilidad o permiso: "I can play tennis" o "Can I go with you?".

This is one of the most interesting films of the season

sta es una de las pelculas ms interesantes de la temporada

Emily
And what about may and could?
Y qu me dices de "may" y "could"?

Andrew
Use may or could for permission: "May I come in?" or "Could I go with
you?".
Utiliza "may" o "could" para pedir permiso: "May I come in?" o "Could I go with you?".

Emily
Right.Aren't (Are not) may and could also used for possibility?
No se usan "may" y "could" tambin para expresar posibilidad?

Andrew
Yes, that's right: "It may rain".But for remote possibility you could use
might: "It might also snow".
S, es correcto: "It may rain". Pero para expresar una posibilidad remota podras usar
"might": "It might also snow".

Emily
And what do I use for obligation?
Y qu es lo que utilizo para expresar obligacin?
what do I use for+ gerundio
what do I use to+ infinitivo

Andrew
You must use must or have to: "I must catch my train" or "I have to catch my
train".
Debes usar "must" o "have to": "I must catch my train" o "I have to catch my train".

Emily
Right.What about should?
Qu me dices de "should"?

Andrew
You should use should for giving advice and recommendations: "You
should drink more water" and "You should try the new Chinese restaurant".
Deberas usar "should" para dar consejos y recomendaciones: "You should drink more water"
y "You should try the new Chinese restaurant".

Emily
Will is for the future, isn't it (is it not)?
"Will" es para el futuro, no?

Andrew
Yes, will is the best form of the future in all cases, even for the first person:
"I will see you tomorrow".
S, "will" es la forma ms apropiada de futuro en todos los casos, incluso para la primera
persona: "I will see you tomorrow".
even for ...- incluso para ...
That film was boring even for me- Esa pelcula era aburrida incluso para m

Emily
And what about shall?
Y qu me dices de "shall"?

Andrew
Shall is for making suggestions and offering help: "Shall we have a drink?"
and "Shall I carry your bag?".
"Shall" es para hacer sugerencias y ofrecer ayuda: "Shall we have a drink?" y "Shall I carry
your bag?".

This flour is for making a cake- Esta harina es para hacer un pastel