MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

1. ADVICE (consejos)

   • Should/shouldn't (deberías)
     • You should drink plenty of water

2. OBLIGATION

   • Must (deber)
     • We must stay at home for two weeks
   • Have to (tener que)
     • I have to study English irregular verbs
     • She HAS to wear a uniform

3. PROHIBITION

   • Mustn't
     • You mustn't talk in the library

4. LACK OF NECESSITY (no es necesario)

   • Don't have to
     • They don't have to get up early on Sunday
     • He doesn't have to do the shopping today

5. ABILITY AND PERMISSION

   • In the present
     • can/can't
       • She can play the play piano (Sabe tocar el piano)
       • I can go to the party (Puedo ir a la fiesta)
   • In the past
     • could/couldn't
       • He could swim when he was 4 (Sabía nadar cuando tenía 4 años)
       • He couldn't go to the concert