Modal verbs

Modal verbs

1. Definition

   • Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to complement or change the meaning of the main verbs in sentences.

2. Grammar

   • Don´t have infinitive, participle, or gerund forms.
   • Aren´t conjugated.
     • "I can go"
     • "She can go"
     • "They can go"
   • In negative sentences, "not" is used after the modal verb.
     • "We could not find the keys"
     • "You may not enter without permission"
     • "It might not rain tomorrow"
   • In interrogative sentences, the modal verb precedes the subject
     • "Must we finish this today?"
     • "Shall we go to the park?"
     • "May I borrow your pen? "
   • Can be accompanied by the auxiliary "be", often followed by a gerund (-ing), expressing present or future time.
     • "She might be studying right now"
     • "They could be traveling next week"
     • "You should be resting after such a long day"
   • Don´t need to be accompanied by auxiliary verbs in negative and interrogative sentences because it themselves are already auxiliaries.

3. Can

   • It is used to express someone's abilities or capabilities in the present
   • It's used in a more informal way

4. Could

   • It is the past form of the verb 'can'
   • It's used in a more informal way

5. May

   • It is used to ask for permission or talk about possibilities
   • It's used in a more formal way

6. Might

   • Used to express possibility, but with more uncertainty than 'may'
   • It's used in a more formal way

7. Shall

   • It's used in a more formal way
   • It's used to make invitations, offer suggestions, or make promises

8. Should

   • It's used in a more neutral way
   • It is used to make a suggestion, give advice in English, or ask for an opinion on a subject

9. Will

   • It's used in a more informal way
   • It is used to express future actions, promises, spontaneous decisions, or predictions about the future

10. Would

    • It is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, polite requests, and suggestions
    • It's used in a more informal way

11. Must

    • It's used in a more informal way
    • It is used to indicate deduction, necessity, obligation, or prohibition

12. Ought to

    • It's used in a more formal way
    • It is used in specific situations to express moral obligation, advice, or expectations.

13. Function

    • Probability
      • Certainty
        • Must
          • "She must be tired after working all day."
        • Can't
          • "He can’t be at home; I just saw him at the store."
      • Uncertainty
        • Could
          • "She could be at the library."
        • May
          • "They may arrive late."
        • Might
          • "They might come to the party."
    • Permission
      • May
        • "May I leave early today?"
      • Can
        • "You can use my phone if you need to."
      • Could
        • "Could I borrow your pen?"
      • Would
        • Would you open the door, please?
    • Obligation
      • Must
        • "You must wear a helmet when riding a bike."
      • Have to
        • "I have to finish this report by tomorrow."
    • Advice
      • Should
        • "You should eat more vegetables."
      • Ought to
        • "He ought to apologize for what he said."
    • Prohibition
      • Must not
        • "You must not smoke here."
      • Cannot
        • "You cannot enter without a ticket."