Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

1. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs. This means that they do not conjugate with grammatical people, Un modal verb puede expresar habilidad, necesidad, condición o "modalidad" , de ahí que su significado dependa del contexto de la oración y de los verbos con los que se conjugan. A modal verb can express ability, need, condition or "modality", hence its meaning depends on the context of the sentence and the verbs with which they are conjugated.

   • ABILITY
     • The modal verbs of ability are 'can', 'could', and 'be able to'. Ability can be expressed in the past, present, or future.
       • "Subject + can / could + infinitive" Examples: I could swim when I was 5
   • PERMISSION
     • The modal verbs of permission, 'can,' or 'could,' to indicate whether someone has permission to do something or not.
       • "Can / Could / May + subject + the verb" Examples: Can I have some cookies? -yes, you can
   • REQUEST
     • We can use the verbs ‘can‘ and ‘could‘ to ask for something. Like with asking permission, the verb ‘can‘ is used in more informal situations, while ‘could‘ and ‘may‘ are suitable for polite requests. Would is used to make polite requests in English
       • "Can/Could + Subject + Verb" "Would you mind + Verb + ING" Examples: Can you pass the salt please? Could you bring your book tomorrow?
   • OFFERS & SUGGESTIONS
     • This Verbs are used to make an offer or to make a suggestions. We use Shall, can, we, could
       • "Subject + verb + complement" Examples: I colud help you if you want
   • OBLIGATION
     • The verb must only exists in the simple present and present perfect forms. While the present form can express obligation, necessity, certainty or strong probability, the present perfect forms only express a strongly felt opinion or supposition. There are two types of modal verbs of obligation ; • those that primarily express a firm obligation or necessity - must and have to • those that express a recommendation or moral obligation - should and ought to
       • "have to + infinitive + C ", "must + infinitive + c" Example: You must see a doctor
   • NECESSITY
     • The modal verbs of necessity show obligations in the past, present, or future. It can be a necessary action that was required over and over again, or something that occurred just once. The modal verbs of necessity are have to, have got to, and must.
       • "Subjects + verb + C" Example: I must study tonight
   • PROHIBITION
     • 'Can't' and 'mustn't' (must not) are used to show that something is prohibited (not allowed)
       • "Subject + Can't + verb + C" Example: You can't go to the party
   • POSSIBILITY
     • When we use modal verbs to indicate that something is possible in the future, although not certain, we use the verbs could might and may
       • "MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE" "MODAL + NOT + BASE VERB + PAST PARTICIPLE" Example: They must have studied hard
   • CRITICISM
     • Are used to express criticism or disapproval with reference to past time
       • "Subject + Can, could, might and should/shouldn't + infinitive" Example: You can be really annoying, you know!
   • ADVICE
     • English speakers use the modal verbs “should,” “ought to” and “had better” to express that they think something is a good (or a bad) idea. “Should” is the most common way to give advice.
       • “Subject + modal + basic verb + C” “Modal + subject + basic verb + c +?” Example: You should visit the doctor
   • DEDUCTION
     • We can use MUST, MAY, MIGHT, COULD and CAN'T to express how sure we are about something happening in the present or the future. We use must when we feel sure about something because there is some kind of evidence.
       • "Subject + modal + verb in base form" Example: She must study very hard because she gets really good marks.