Modal verbs

Common Modal verbs:

Can
Could
May
Might
Must Ought to
Shall
Should
Will
Would
What are modal verbs?
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are
some
important
differences:
They are like auxiliary verbs
They express capacity, posibility, need and some conditionals.
These verbs are used to form questions and affirmative sentences. The modals dont have
conjugation.
They can be used as main verb.
In English, the main verb goes in infinitive form without to, except the modal ought.
Characteristics
1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.
Examples:
He can speak Chinese.
She should be here by 9:00.
2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.
Examples:
He should not be late.
They might not come to the party.
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
Examples:
He will can go with us. Not Correct
She musted study very hard. Not correct

Affirmative form subject + modal + main verb.

They can come.
Mike should study.
Questions
modal + subject + main verb.
Closed questions
(yes-no questions)

Modal + subject + main verb?

Can theycome?
Should Mike drive?
Informative questions
(wh- questions)
Wh- word+modal +subject or main verb?
When can they come?
How could he know?
Can = capacity or to ask permission
Tom can help you.
Wild animals can be dangerous.
Eating out can be costly.
In questions we use can to ask permission
Can I help you?
Can Mike have dinner with us?
Who can answer the next question?
When can we get back the results?
Could = Posibility or capacity in past.
I could have told you that.
It could have been a disaster.
When I was young, I could run very fast.
Could is used to especulate in future posbilities.
Could y might are synonims.
It could / might rain tonight.
This could / might be dangerous.
In questions: (present or future)
Could she be the murderer?
Could for future or option
Could she be the murderer?
Could this be a mistake?
We could go see a movie.
I could become a doctor.
Could / Can you open your window?
Could / Can you help me move this sofa?
Shall & Will = intention or action for the future
The modals will/shall + main verb form the future. They show us an intention. There isn't
any difference between them.

Samples:
I will / shall close the door for you.
Tom will / shall meet us at the train station.
They will / shall leave tomorrow at 8:00.
In questions we use shall and will to know options or data about something or somebody.
Who will / shall drive the car?
When will / shall I see you again?
How will / shall you get here?
What time will / shall we meet?
In close questions (yes or no) Shall and/or will aren't synonims.
We use them:
To ask for a favor
Will / Shall you turn off the TV?
Will / Shall you stop whining?
Will / Shall you go with me?
To ask information about a think or a person.
Will / Shall Tom ever pay you back?
Will / Shall Mars be visited by humans within twenty years?
Will / Shall you be finished soon?
May and might are synonims = action that can be in future
I may / might go to the park, or I may / might stay home.
This may / might be a bad idea.
It may / might rain tonight.You may / can now board the airplane.You may / can begin the
exam in ten minutes.
May / Can I see your driver's license?
May / Can we have some more water, please?
May / Can / Might I be of some assistance?
May / Can / Might we offer you a suggestion?
Shall = Preferences and recomentdations
shall y should are synonims
Should / Shall I close the door?
Should / Shall he close the door?
Should / Shall they come back later?
Should / Shall Tom bring food to the party?
Should / Shall we stay here?
Must = obligation
You must see this movie.
Tom must see a doctor immediately.
Must can indicates probability.
You must be angry.
My watch must be broken.
He must have done that before moving to Spain.
Informative questions: must indicates an obligation and can synonim of should.
When should / must we be there?
Who should / must I talk to?

Should and Ought to = Obligation

Should and ought are synonims.
You should / ought to call your mother.
I should / ought to go home now.
Questions.
Should he call her?
Should we pay now?
When should we leave?
What should I wear?
Would + Like = preference
I would like white wine with my fish.
We would like a room with a view.
Questions:
Kind petition
Would you like soup or salad with your meal?
Where would you like to eat dinner?
When would Tom like this delivered?
Would
Come here!Would you come here?
Stop making that noise!Would you stop making that noise?
She would be surprised if you came to the party.
Tom would drive, but he doesn't have a license.
When I was a student, I would go swimming every day.
When Tom lived in France, he would write me long letters.
Una forma alternativa a will para expresar una accin futura es utilizando to be going to y el verbo en su
forma simple. El verbo to be se escribe en presente y segn el sujeto:

I am going to (Yo voy a)

You are going to (T vas a)

He is going to (l va a)

She is going to (Ella va a)

It is going to (Eso va a)

We are going to (Nosotros vamos a)

You are going to (Usted va a)

They are going to (Ellos van a)

Las contracciones son comnmente utilizadas:

Im going to (Yo voy a)

Youre going to (T vas a)

Hes going to (l va a)

Shes going to (Ella va a)

Its going to (Eso va a)

Were going to (Nosotros vamos a)

Youre going to (Usted va a)

Theyare going to (Ellos van a)