Modal Verbs

They are:

Ought to

Can Could May Might Must Shall Should Will Would

They are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence
Modal verbs are sometimes referred to as Modal Auxiliary verbs because they help other verbs

S
Subject

V
Verb

Example: Mary could play the piano

They do not accept conjugation They do not need other auxiliary verbs

There is no s in singular There is no do / does in the question There is no dont / doesnt in the negative

He can ski *(no) He cans ski or He can skis Would you like to come with me? *(no) Do you would like to come with me? They cant be serious *(no) They dont can be serious

Categories
Single concept Modals Double Concept Modals Modals in Past

Will Might Should Ought to Had better

May Must Would Shall Could Can

Would have Could have Might have Should have May have Must have

Single Concept Modal

Modal Will Future Concept Examples Joe will travel to NY next week

Might
Should Ought to Had better

Small probability
Recommendation Formal recommendation Warning

I might move to Canada some day

You should go to the doctor We ought to know about first aids I had better study or I will fail the test

Double Concept Modal

Modal May (1) May (2) Must (1) Must (2) Would (1) Would (2) Concept Permission Good probability Responsibility Assumption Past (used to) Present unreal May I come in? We may visit Mexico this summer Everyone must pay taxes She didnt arrive. She must be sick When I was young, I would play soccer I would buy the car but I cant afford it Examples

Double Concept Modal

Modal Shall (1) Shall (2) Could (1) Could (2) Concept Educated expression Offer Contractual obligation Unreal Ability Past Ability Examples Excuse me, I shall go now Shall I clean it? The company shall pay on January 1st I could go if I had time She could play the piano, not anymore

Can (1) Can (2)

Present Ability Permission

We can speak English Can I have a sweet?

PROBABILITY/ POSSIBILITY CAN CANT She cant be his mum. She s too young It might rain tomorrow It could rain tomorrow

ABILITY I can play the piano I cant speak German

PERMISSION Can I go out tonight? Can I borrow the car? No, I cant.

OBLIGATION/ ADVICE

OFFERS

MIGHT COULD

I could already read when I was two

Could I see your passport please, sir? May I leave the table? You must leave before the clock strikes twelve. I have to study tonight. You shall pay on Tuesday You should see it. Its excellent. You had better sleep more. Would you like a drink? Shall I help you?

MAY MUST

It may rain tomoroww She must be his sister because they look alike.

HAVE TO SHALL SHOULD / OUGHT TO HAD BETTER WOULD

Modals in the Past

They are modals referred

to actions that happened in the

past MODAL + HAVE + verb in past participle

It must have been a difficult decision They should have invited her to their wedding

A last tip
There are few verbs which often serve as modals too. These are modal-like verbs They need to be conjugated

MODAL PERFECT
MUST HAVE + P.P. MAY / MIGHT HAVE + P.P. COULD HAVE + P.P. COULDNT HAVE + P.P.

USES
Conclusin lgica sobre un hecho del pasado Una suposicin sobre algo pasado Habilidad de haber hecho algo pero finalmente no lo hizo Certeza de que algo no pudo haber sucedido Quiso haber hecho algo, pero no pudo hacerlo por causas externas Queja de que algo haya ocurrido en el pasado o lamento de que no se haya cumplido lo que esperbamos Crtica sobre un acontecimiento pasado que no debera haber ocurrido No haba necesidad de hacer lo que se hizo en el pasado

EXAMPLES
Peter has arrived late. He must have been in a traffic jam Joe may / might have taken the wrong train. You could have played better He couldnt have passsed because you hadnt studied enough I would have visited you, but I forgot your address You should / ought to have warned me earlier

WOULD HAVE + P.P.

SHOULD / OUGHT TO HAVE + P.P.

SHOULDNT HAVE + P.P.

He shouldnt have told them

NEEDNT HAVE + P.P.

You neednt have bought it .

Modals in Past : Modal + have + past participle

Modal
Would have Could have May have

Concept
Past unreal action Past unreal Ability Past unreal Possibility

Example
I would have bought the car, but I didnt have money She could have taken the flight We may have passed the test, but it was in French

Might have

Past Unreal Small Probability

Past unreal Recommendation Past unreal Assumption

You might have sold the house, if you really needed the money
You should have listened to the doctor We must have been crazy!

Should have Must have