MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that cant function as a main verb, unlike auxiliary
verbs "be", "do" and "have" that they can function as a main verb.

Modal verbs express modality. They can express ability, possibility, necessity or
other status. They are auxiliary verbs the present and future.

As complementary verbs, modal verbs dont work without another verb. The other
verb always goes after the modal verb is in the base form (the infinitive without
"to"). Modal verbs are not conjugated and dont have time.

Modal verbs are:

Can
Could
May
Might
Will
Shall
Should
Ought to
Must/Have to
Would
 CAN (puedo de capacidad de hacerlo)

(+) "Can" means "power" but it of skill, chance, ability or permission.

(-) In negative sentences implies the prohibition to do something or indicates impossibility.

(?) In interrogative sentences, the use of "can" may request permission or inquire about
possibilities.

"Can" can be conjugated in 3 tenses: present simple, past simple or conditional. To "Can" dont add
a "-s" in the third person singular.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Can) + Main Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

I can speak five lenguages. (Puedo hablar cinco idiomas)

The birds can fly. (Los pjaros pueden volar)
It can be dangerous. (Puede ser peligroso)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Can not/Cannot/Cant) + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

Bill and Tom cant help you. (Bill y Tom no pueden ayudarte)
You cant do it!. (No puedes hacerlo!)
I cant see them. (No puedo verlos)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Can) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

Can I have a glass of water? (Puedo tomar un vaso de agua?)

Can they work late tonight? (Pueden trabajar hasta tarde sta noche?)
Can you do me a favour? (Puedes hacerme un favor?)

Past Simple Conditional Present Simple

Present Simple
-Informal- -Formal-
Conjugation Significance Conjugation Significance Conjugation Significance
I can Yo puedo I could Yo pude I could Yo podra
You can T puedes You could T pudiste You could T podras
l/Ella/Eso
He/She/It can l/Ella/Eso puede He/She/It could l/Ella/Eso pudo He/She/It could
podra
Nosotros Nosotros Nosotros
We can We could We could
podemos pudimos podramos
Ustedes
You can Ustedes pueden You could You could Ustedes podran
pudieron
They can Ellos pueden They could Ellos pudieron They could Ellos podran
 COULD (poda en tiempo pasado/podra en tiempo futuro)

(+) "Could" indicates skill or possibility in the past. It can also use "Could" for
future possibilities. In these cases it can be translated as "power" or in the sense of
"had capacity", in Spanish.

(-) In negative sentences implies the prohibition to do something or indicates

impossibility.

(?) In interrogative sentences, the use of "Could" may request permission or

inquire about possibilities, but is more formal than Can.

To "Could" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Could) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Joe could speak Spanish when he was young. (Joe poda hablar Espaol cuando era joven)
He could play the piano. (El poda tocar el piano)
I would marry her tomorrow, if I could. (Me casara con ella maana, si pudiera)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Could not/Couldnt) + Main

Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

I coludnt sleep last night. (No pude dormir anoche)

I tried, but I couldnt open this bottle. (Lo intent, pero no pude abrir esta botella)
She couldnt call you. (No te pudo llamar (ella))

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Could) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Could you play an instrument when you were a child? (Podas tocar un
instrumento cuando eras un nuo?)
Could I be wrong? (Podra estar equivocado?)
Could you help me? (Podras ayudarme?)
 MAY (A lo mejor/Tal vez/Puede que)(Futuro cercano)

(+) "May" means "power" but from probability, permit or doubt. Its more probable
that "Might".

(-) On the negative form, it only indicates that "something could not happen" (It
may not happen).

(?) In interrogative sentences, the use of "May" is more polite than "Can" or
"Could".

To "May" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. Only use for future time.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (May) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

I would take an umbrella, it may rain later. (Me llevara un paraguas, puede llover ms
tarde.)
It may be better to finish this now. (Puede que sea mejor terminar esto ahora.)
You may use your cell phone now. (Puede usar su telfono celular ahora)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (May not) + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

It may not rain. (Puede que no llueva)

He may not go to the party. (Puede que l no vaya a la fiesta)
It may not work. (Puede que no funcione)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (May) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

May I help you? (Puedo ayudarlo?)

May I leave now? (Puedo salir ahora?)
May I go to the bathroom? (Puedo ir al bao?)
 MIGHT (Pudiera ser que/Podra ser que)(Futuro lejano)

(+) Might is used to possibility or probability. Almost isnt used to ask

permission. Its less probable that May.

(-) On the negative form, indicates that "something could not happen" (It may
never happen).

(?) In interrogative sentences, the use of "May" is more polite than "Can" or
"Could".

To "Might" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. Its used for past or future
tense.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Might) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

It might snow. (Podra nevar/Pudiera ser que nevara)

He might call the supervisor tomorrow.. (l podra llamar al supervisor maana.)
They might give us a 10% discount. (Puede ser que nos den un descuento del 10%.)
I might have been King. (Podra haber sido rey) <-PAST (MIGHT + HAVE + PARTICIPIO)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Might not) + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

Sylvia might not live there anymore. (Sylvia podra ya no vivir ms all)
We might not know everithing. (Puede que no sepamos todo)
It might not rain tonight. (Puede que no llueva sta noche)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Might) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Might he come tonight? (Podra venir esta noche?)

Might I give you a piece of advice? (Podra darte un consejo?)
Might we speak to you for a moment? (Podramos hablar contigo un momento?)
 WILL

(+) "Will" is an auxiliary verb. It is used to transform the time in future. It means
"will (voluntad)" or determination (desicin).

(-) Used to say that will not do.

(?) Its used for information, a favor or options.

To "Will" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. Its contraction is "'ll", like
"Shall"

Possitive Subject + Auxiliar Verb (Will or ll) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Ill go. (Ir)

Bill will finish this later. (Bill terminar sto despus)
We will go there the day after tomorrow. (Iremos all pasado maana)

Negative - Subject + Auxiliar Verb in Negative (Will not/Wont) + Main

Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

I wont sleep tonight. (No dormir sta noche)

They wont come. (Ellos no vendrn)
You will not like it. (No te gustar)

Interrogative - Auxiliar Verb (Will) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Will Mrs. Lennon understand me? (La seora Lennon me entender?)

Will I go to school tomorrow? (Ir a la escuela maana?)
Will they find a cure for cancer? (Encontrarn una cura para el cncer?)
 SHALL

(+) "Shall" is used as "will", but is more formal and is also used to offer, suggest or
ask advice.

(-) It is used to say that will not be done or ask situation.

(?) Used to inquire about options or preferences.

To "Shall" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. Its contraction is "'ll", like
"Will"

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Shall or ll) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Well be there by 8 p.m. (Estar all para las 8 p.m.)

I shall arrive next week. (Llegar la semana que viene)
I shall give you a bycicle for you birthday. (Te dar una bicicleta por tu cumpleaos
(promesa))

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Shall not/Shant) + Main

Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

You shant play tennis this week. (No jugars tenis sta semana?)
I shall not work. (No trabajar)
He shall not draw a ball. (l no dibujar una pelota)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Shall) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Shall I stop talking?. (Debo dejar de hablar?)

Shall we go to the cinema? (Vamos al cine?)
Shall I go with you? (Debo ir contigo?)
 SHOULD (Debera/Tendra que)(Obligacin dbil)

(+) "Should" indicates a weak obligation or recommendation. It reflects an opinion

on what is right. It translates as the conditional "Should (deber)" in Spanish.

(-) It indicates that something should not be done or predict an event.

(?) "It should" is used in interrogative sentences to ask if there is an obligation or to

ask for a recommendation.

To "Should" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Should) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

We should go to sleep. (Deberamos ir a dormir)

I should call my mother. (Debera llamar a mi madre)
It should be there. ((Esto) Debera estar aqu)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Should not/Shouldnt) +

Main Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

Nick shouldnt be working. (Nick no debera estar trabajando)

It shouldnt take long. ((Esto) No debera tardar mucho)
You should not say that. (No deberas decir eso)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Should) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Should we worry? (Deberamos preocuparnos?)

Should I write Maggie a letter? (Debera yo escribirle una carta a Maggie?)
Should we leave a tip? (Deberamos dejar una propina?)
 OUGHT TO (Debera/Tendra que)

(+) Ought to indicates a weak obligation or recommendation. It also refers to

things that should go through you have the right or deserves to pass.

(-) The negative form is not the most common. For this "Should not" is used.

(?) Not very common questions with "Ought to". For this "Should" is used.

To "Ought to" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. The "Ought" is always
accompanied by "to".

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Ought to) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

We ought to do more exercise. (Debemos hacer ms ejercicio)

We ought to eat lots of fruit and vegetables every day. (Debemos comer muchas frutas
y verduras todos los das.)
They ought to have more parks in the city centre. (Deberan tener ms parques en el
centro de la ciudad)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Ought not to/Oughtnt to)

+ Main Verb (Infinitive) + Complement

We oughnt to have ordered so much food. (No debera haber ordenado tanta comida.)
You ought not to have said that about his mother. (No debera haber dicho eso de su
madre)
George ought not to wear someone else's glasses. (George no debe usar gafas de otra
persona.)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Ought) + Subject + to + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

Ought she to call the police? (Debera llamar a la polica?)

Ought we to be more worried about the enviroment? (Debemos estar ms
preocupados por el medio ambiente?)
Ought Rachel to be here so early? (Debera Rachel estar aqu tan temprano?)
 MUST/HAVE TO (Debo/Debo de)/(Tengo/Tengo que)

(+) "Must" indicates a strong obligation (internal morale of the person speaking or
orders), prohibition or necessity. "Have to (Tener que)" its used when the obligation
comes from external norms. You can also use "Must" to indicate probability or take
something as well as express inferences and conclusions from facts.

(-) To indicate things not to do.

(?) It can also be used for rhetorical questions.

To "Must" and Have to dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. For "Must"
only use it in Present Simple, for other times use "Have to."

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Must/Have to) + Main Verb (Infinitive)

+ Complement

You must read this book, its fantastic. (Debes leer ste libro, es fantstico)
You have to read this book, its fantastic. (Tienes que leer ste libro, es fantstico)
I must go. (Debo irme)
I have to go. (Tengo que irme)
We must be at the airport at three o'clock. (Debemos estar en el aeropuerto a las tres en
punto)
We have to be at the airport at three o'clock. (Tenemos que estar en el aeropuerto a las tres
en punto)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Must/Mustnt) + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

You mustnt talk to strangers. (No debes hablar con extraos)

We must not make noise. (No debemos hacer ruido)
You must not drink and drive. (No debes beber y manejar)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Must) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Must she talk so much? (Tiene que hablar tanto?)

Must you go soon? (Tienes que irte tan pronto?)
Must we do everything today? (Debemos hacer todo hoy?)
 Present Simple Present Continuos
Conjugation Significance Conjugation Significance
I must Yo debo I am having to Yo estoy debiendo
You must T debes You are having to T ests debiendo
He/She/It must l/Ella/Eso debe He/She/It is having to l/Ella/Eso est debiendo
Nosotros We are having to Nosotros estamos debiendo
We must
debemos You are having to Ustedes estn debiendo
You must Ustedes deben They are having to Ellos estn debiendo
They must Ellos deben

Present Perfect Past Simple

Conjugation Significance Conjugation Significance
I have had to Yo he debido I had to Yo deba
You have had to T has debido You had to T debas
He/She/It has had to l/Ella/Eso ha debido He/She/It had to l/Ella/Eso deba
We have had to Nosotros hemos debido We had to Nosotros debamos
You have had to Ustedes han debido You had to Ustedes deban
They have had to Ellos han debido They had to Ellos deban

Past Continuos Past Perfect

Conjugation Significance Conjugation Significance
I was having to Yo estaba debiendo I had had to Yo haba debido
You were having to T estabas debiendo You had had to T habas debido
He/She/It was having to l/Ella/Eso estaba debiendo He/She/It had had to l/Ella/Eso haba debido
We were having to Nosotros estbamos debiendo We had had to Nosotros habamos debido
You were having to Ustedes estaban debiendo You had had to Ustedes haban debido
They were having to Ellos estaban debiendo They had had to Elloshaban debido

Future Simple
Conjugation Significance
I will have to Yo deber
You will have to T debers
He/She/It will have to l/Ella/Eso deber
We will have to Nosotros deberemos
You will have to Ustedes debern
They will have to Ellos debern
 WOULD

(+) "Would" is the past at will in some cases and auxiliary verb in others. It has
several uses (conditional form, polite requests, past habits, assumption, prediction
or will (voluntad))

(-) Things not to do or what would not happen.

(?) To polite requests in interrogative sentences. Its translate as Querra,

Quisiera or
Le gustara.

To "May" dont add a "-s" in the third person singular. Its contracted form is "-'d".
To refer to past situations (events not usually happen) Used to is used instead of
Would.

Possitive Subject + Modal Verb (Might) + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

She would go to the school at eight oclock. (Sola ir al colegio a las 8 en punto) <- Hecho
habitual (costumbre) del pasado -> Se traduce como Sola
She use to live in New York. (Sola sola vivir en Nueva York) <- Situacin del pasado -> No
puede usar Would
I would go to the party. (Yo ira a la fiesta)
That would be great. (Eso sera genial)

Negative - Subject + Modal Verb in Negative (Might not) + Main Verb

(Infinitive) + Complement

She wouldnt be happy. (Ella no sera felz)

I would not do that. (Yo no hara eso)
We wouldnt spend all the money. (No gastaramos todo el dinero)

Interrogative - Modal Verb (Would) + Subject + Main Verb (Infinitive) +

Complement

Would you open the window? (Quieres abrir la ventana?)

Would he give Patty a diamond ring? (l le dara a Patty un anillo de diamante?)
Would you like a coffee? (Le gustara un caf?) <- Peticin corts -> Se traduce como Querra,
Quisiera o Le gustara