Modal Verbs

MODAL VERBS

Ana Agar

What are modal verbs?

They are a special group of verbs which follow certain rules.

When do we use modal verbs?

We use modal verbs to express ability, prohibition, advice, probability and possibility.

What are the rules for modal verbs?

1. SAME FORM FOR ALL PERSONS

Iyouheshe mustitwethey

He musts

2. NO AUXILIARY VERB FOR NEGATIVE AND INTERROGATIVE FORMS

I should...

I shouldn't...

or... should I?

They don't can... Does she must?

3. MODAL VERBS ARE FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO

I must to go now

EXCEPTIONS!!!!

NEED TO OUGHT TO (same as SHOULD but more formal)

4. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE TENSE: PRESENT OR PAST

INFINITIVE

PRESENT

PAST

PAST PARTICIPLE

to be

am/is/are

was/were

been

must

should

can

could

COULD is considered the past of CAN

could

COULD is considered the past of CAN

MODAL VERBS

MUST/HAVE TO obligation But... what is the difference???

Have to: external obligationsMust: personal obligations

Have to is a normal verbMust is a modal verb

grammar

use

INFINITIVE

PRESENT

PAST

PAST PARTICIPLE

to have to

have/has to

had to

had to

must

Have to (tener que) Must (deber)

meaning

INFINITIVE

PRESENT

PAST

PAST PARTICIPLE

to be able to

am/is/are able to

was/were able to

been able to

can

Be able to is the verb to be, a normal verbCan/Could are modal verbs

could

COULD is considered the past of CAN

could

Polite request: Could you open the window, please? Possibility: They say it could rain today.

SER CAPAZ DE

PODER (HABILIDAD Y POSIBILIDAD) I can play the guitar (ABILITY) We can meet our friends at the bar again. (POSSIBILITY) Can you help me? (POSSIBILITY, INFORMAL)

ABILITY IN THE PAST: I could ride a bike when I was four. POSSIBILITY IN THE PRESENT/FUTURE: Present: The phone is ringing, it could be your father. Present: Could you help me? (FORMAL REQUEST) Future: They say it could rain tomorrow.

To be continued...