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. Are :

   • Can
     • "Can" indicates ability or possibility. In these cases it can be translated as "power" in Spanish
       • In interrogative sentences, the use of "can" can request permission or ask about possibilities
         • example
           • Can you help me?(¿Puedes ayudarme?)
   • Could
     • Could ”indicates possibility or ability in the past
     • example
       • I couldn’t sleep last night.(No pude dormir anoche.)
   • MAY
     • Like "could", "may" is used to indicate possibilities in the future
       • can be used to give Permissions or instructions
         • You may leave if you like.(Puede salir si quiere.)
       • In interrogative phrases, the use of "may" is more polite than "can" or "could".
         • May I leave now?(¿Podría salir ahora?)
   • MIGHT
     • “Might” is used to indicate possibilities in the present or the future. In these cases, it is a synonym for “may
       • Example : I would bring an umbrella, it might rain later.(Yo llevaría un paraguas, puede llover más tarde.)
   • Will
     • As we will see in later lessons, “will” is used to form the future tense
       • example I will help you.(Te ayudaré.)
   • SHALL
     • "Shall" is used as "will" to form the future tense. The use of “shall” is much more common in the United Kingdom and is generally more polite
       • EXAMPLEChris shall be happy to see you.(Chris estará feliz de verte.)
   • Should
     • Cómo se pronuncia "Should" indicates an obligation or recommendation. It reflects an opinion about what is right. It translates as the "duty" conditional in Spanish
       • EXAMPLE :You shouldn’t work so hard.(No debería trabajar tan duro.)
   • Ought to
     • "Ought to" is a synonym for "should" although it is less common EXAMPLE:She ought to quit smoking.(Debería dejar de fumar.)
   • Would
     • “Would” is used to declare a preference and to ask for something politely

2. Must

   • "Must" indicates an obligation, prohibition or necessity. You can also use "have to" in affirmative sentences
     • EXAMPLE :When must we meet you?(¿Cuándo debemos quedar? )