MODAL VERBS

CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD, MUST, WOULD.

We use Modal verbs to talk about ability/ a duty/ a suggestion / a necessity/ a
possibility/ a prohibition/ an obligation.
Modal verbs behave very differently from normal verbs.
Characteristics:
Se usan antes de los infinitivos de otros verbos y muestran el grado de
seguridad, obligacin, etc. de las acciones que se llevan a cabo.
No llevan 's' en la 3 persona del singular.
Ej. She must help me ( Ella debe de ayudarme )
despus del verbo modal usamos el infinitivo sin el 'to'.
Ej. You must go to the doctor (Debes ir al mdico )


We use this modal to express:
General ability/ inability
Permission
STRUCTURE:

CONJUGACIN:
I CAN = yo puedo
YOU CAN = tu puedes
HE CAN = l puede
SHE CAN = ella puede
IT CAN = esto puede
WE CAN = nosotros podemos
YOU CAN = ustedes pueden
THEY CAN = ellos pueden
EXAMPLES:
I CAN WALK.
I can play the trumpet.
He can speak chinese.
She can eat cakes.
You can go to the park, now
They can give us a hand.
I can help you.
NEGATIVE:
CANT CAN NOT - CANNOT
Usamos este modal para expresar :
Habilidad, incapacidad.
Permiso.
SUBJECT + CAN + VERB(base form) +
C
CAN
STRUCTURE:

I CANT = yo no puedo
YOU CANT = tu no puedes
THEY CANT = ellos no pueden
EXAMPLES:
I cant walk.
I cant play the trumpet.
He cant speak chinese.
She cant eat cakes.
You cant go to the park, now
They cant give us a hand.
INTERROGATIVE
STRUCTURE:

EXAMPLES:
Can you walk?
Can I help you?
Can he speak chinese?
Can she eat cakes?
Can you go to the park, now?
Can they give us a hand?


Es el pasado de CAN.
Significa (poda, podra o pudiera)
Para hacer peticiones o pedir un favor de una manera ms formal que CAN.
Para indicar posibilidad pero dando a entender que es ms remota que CAN.
EXAMPLES:
I could play tennis when I was younger.
He could sell the tickets.
He could do the exercises.
NEGATIVE:

I couldn't speak English three years ago but now I can.
I couldn't answer your question.
I couldn't ride a bike last year
INTERROGATIVE:
Could not = couldnt
SUBJECT + CANT + VERB(base form) + C
CAN + SUBJECT + VERB (base form) + C + ?
COULD
Could you take me to Victoria
Station?.
Could you repeat please?
Could they lend us the dictionary?
Could I use your dictionary?



Significa poder pero a diferencia del CAN este modal es ms formal, se utiliza para
pedir permiso de una forma ms formal y para expresar cierto grado de posibilidad.
EXAMPLES:
He may be lost.
You may find a good hotel.
We may go to Paris this summer.
They may forgive me.
NEGATIVE:
You may not go out with him.
He may not be here.
They may not be at home.

AFFIRMATIVE:
May I come to visit you at 5
oclock?
May you take only one candy?
May I go to the bathroom ?
May I help you?


Expresa dbil probabilidad o posibilidad. Se utiliza cuando queremos decir:
podra, quizs, puede que.
EXAMPLES:
I might lost my job.
This might be our only chance.
You might find a solution.
I might call you tomorrow.
You might pay the bills.
NEGATIVE:
might not
I might not lost my job.
We might not know everything.
It might not rain tonight.
Mary might not apologize her
friend.
INTERROGATIVE:
Might I give you an advice?
MAY
MIGHT
Might we speak to you for a moment?
Might you find a solution?


We use to give advices or a strong suggestions.
(Dar consejos y sugerencias fuertes)
Significa: debera

EXAMPLES:
He should get up early.
We should study more.
We should speak to karen today.
You should visit my city.
You should do your homework.

NEGATIVE:
We shouldnt be cruel to animals.
The watchman shouldnt sleep in his
job.
You should not say that.
Jose should not be working.
INTERROGATIVE:
Should I wake up early?
Should we speak to karen today?
Should I smoke?

We use to give a very strong advice/ obligation (Dar muy fuertes consejos
/obligacin)
Indica que algo es muy importante o muy necesario.
Significa: debes
EXAMPLES:
Everybody must wear a uniform.
She must workout everymornig.
I must take my medicine
everyday.
I must go to the library.
NEGATIVE:
You must not talk to strangers.
We mustn't make noise.
Mr. Williams must not smoke.

should not = shouldnt
SHOULD
MUST

INTERROGATIVE:
Must we do everything today?
Must you go so soon?



Usa el verbo modal would para preferencias y opiniones y para ofrecer o pedir en
una manera ms corts.
Le da terminacin ria a un verbo normal.
Formamos el condicional utilizando el modal would, ms un verbo.

Would be sera
Would go ira
Would come vendra
Would have tendra
Would like gustara

EXAMPLES:

I would go to the party.
You would feel better.
That would be great.
We would help you.
Joan would start to cry.

NEGATIVE:
You would not be happy.
You wouldnt spend all the money.
I wouldnt do that.

INTERROGATIVE:
Would you mind?
Would you like play with me?
Would you like close to my home?
Would you like to go out with me?
WOULD