MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

1. Modal verbs in English are a type of "auxiliary verb", also called "helping verb" in English. That means they work together with other verbs to give the sentence a new meaning. For example, they can change the tense of the main verb, or indicate the possibility, permission or need of something.

   • CAN: One of the most common uses of this modal verb is to express ability. In this case “be able to”.
     • I can play piano. Sé tocar el piano. This also works if you want to ask a question. To ask about someone's ability / ability to do something, you would normally say: Can you speak English? ¿Sabes hablar inglés?
       • Similarly, can is also sometimes used to offer help or ask permission:I can watch your dog while you’re on vacation. Puedo cuidar de tu perro mientras estás de vacaciones. Can you please pass the butter? ¿Puedes pasarme la mantequilla?
         • You will also hear this modal verb to express the possibility of something. Houses can flood in this region during rainstorms. Las casas se pueden inundar en esta región durante las lluvias.
   • MIGHT: Like may, might present a possibility. May and might be used interchangeably in this context, although may is a bit more formal. (He might get the job at the factory. Puede que él consiga el trabajo en la fábrica)
     • Might can also be used to suggest something. Within the phrase "might as well," it indicates that there is no good alternative. (I might as well go home since there’s no one else here. Puede que me vaya a casa ya que no queda nadie más aquí)
   • WILL: is often used more to put a sentence in English in the future. It indicates that something will happen in the future: I will wash my plates after I finish eating. Lavaré los platos cuando termine de comer.
     • For questions, will be used to ask if something is going to happen in the future: Will there be a storm tomorrow? ¿Habrá tormenta mañana? Will we have a quiz in English class? ¿Tendremos una prueba en clase de inglés?
   • MUST: Must is a way of saying "have to" or "need to" although it is more formal than these last two. (You must finish your homework by Wednesday. Debes terminar los deberes antes del miércoles)
     • Must also expresses a firm suggestion. (You must see the Louvre while you’re in Paris! ¡Tienes que ver el Louve mientras estás en París!).
       • Must can also be used to suppose, although only if you think your assumption is correct or if you have evidence to support it. (He must be smart because he studied engineering. Debe ser inteligente porque estudió una ingeniería
   • COULD: it's the past of can. Use it to identify skill, but when you talk about the past.
     • I could understand German when I was a kid. Podía entender alemán cuando era niño. Could you hear the birds chirping yesterday morning? ¿Podías escuchar a los pájaros piar ayer por la mañana?
       • Could is sometimes used to express possibility, similar to can. However, unlike can, it is used for less concrete possibilities and for suggestions: We could go to the park or we could go to the mall. Podríamos ir al parque o podríamos ir al centro comercial
   • The most common modal English verbs are: Can, Could, Will, Would, Should, May, Might, Must, Shall
     • SHALL: Shall is a good modal verb that you must recognize, but it is not used today because it sounds very formal and polite for the Anglo-Saxons. Its use is similar to will
       • I shall call your mother if you misbehave. Llamaré a tu madre si te portas mal. We shall arrive at 5:00. Llegaremos a las 5.
   • WOULD: usually talk about a habitual action in the past. That means an action was repeated more than once, usually by routine: When I was a kid I would play with dolls every day. Cuando era niño jugaba con las muñecas todos los días. Would you also show willingness to do something in the future, usually as part of the sentence "would like to…” She would like to come to the party.
     • Would be used in questions to ask someone to do something. In this way, it is similar to can. However, if you use it would sound more polite. Would you please close the door? ¿Podrías cerrar la puerta, por favor ?
   • SHOULD: It is used to give or ask for advice or opinion (You should do your homework. Deberías hacer los deberes). Similarly, it can be used to describe something necessary but perhaps not wanted. (She should comb her hair but she doesn’t want to. Debería peinarse el pelo pero no quiere)
     • Should also be used to express expectation: (He should be back by 10 p.m. Él debería estar de vuelta a las 10 de la noche)
   • MAY: It is another modal verb similar to can, but more formal and polite. It is used to express or request permission, and is usually considered the most polite way of doing this. (May I sit beside you? ¿Puedo sentarme a tu lado?)--(You may pour yourself a cup of tea. Puedes echarte una taza de té)
     • May is also often used to describe a possibility: (We may go downtown tonight. Puede que vayamos al centro esta noche)

2. ANDREA GARCIA