Modal verbs

Modal verbs

1. Simple shapes

   • Can: poder, saber Habilidad-Capacidad o incapacidad: He can speak French very fluently. Permiso: Can I go out for a moment? Deducciones negativas: This man can’t be James. James is much younger.
     • Could: pasado de can, (podía, podría, pudiera,…) Condicional. Habilidad-Capacidad o incapacidad: Her mother could cook so well! Posibilidad, duda: I don’t know what’s in the picture. It could be a rainbow. Pregunta cortés: Could I use your dictionary?
       • May: poder Posibilidad, imposibilidad: This may be Mary’s car, she said she had parked here. / He may not arrive on time, ha has just arrived from a trip. Permiso: May I help you with your homework?
         • Might: Pasado de may, (podría ser que …) Posibilidad: John told me you mightn’t come to the party Duda, suposición: We might have a salary raise next month, but it is not confirmed.
           • Shall / will (negativo: won’t): forman el futuro Predicción, promesa, determinación: You won’t come with us on holidays, you haven’t behaved well Para pedir parecer, ofrecer ayuda: Shall I carry the bags for you?
             • Should / (ought to): debería Sugerencia, consejo: “Should I tell her about our problem?” .- “No, I think you shouldn’t, you can’t rely on her”.
               • Would: forma el condicional Oraciones condicionales: If I went to Paris I would go to the Eiffel Tower. Preguntas corteses: Would you like a cup of tea?
                 • Must: Deber, (deber de…para expresar duda) Forma negativa: “mustn’t” Obligación: You must help your mother in the kitchen Suposición: Linda isn’t coming to school, she must be sick.
                   • Used to: solía (solo se refiere al pasado) En forma negativa: “didn’t use to” Acciones habituales en el pasado: We used to go to the park very often
                     • Need: Tener que (“necesitar” es el significado como verbo normal) Obligación: “Need I bring something to the party?” (¿Tengo que…?) Ausencia de obligación: “No, don’t worry, you needn’t bring anything”
                       • Compound shape
                         • She must have been at work, she has left her jacket
                           Ella debe de haber estado en el trabajo, se ha dejado la chaqueta. It might have rained, the pavement was still wet.
                           Podría haber llovido, la acera aún estaba mojada. It could have been sold out, there wasn’t anyone left when we arrived at the shop.
                           Podría haber sido vendido, no quedaba ninguno cuando llegamos a la tienda. It can’t have been Mike, the one who called, he told me he was on holidays.
                           No puede haber sido Miguel el que llamó, me dijo que estaba de vacaciones.