vocabulary 2

MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are a kind of "auxiliary verbs" that accompany infinity for different conditions (ability, possibility, need ...). They are necessary because in English there is no verbal tense of the conditional.

To use them correctly, there are a series of basic rules:

They should always be used with another verb, never alone.

This is the infinitive mode without.

Modal verbs do not conjugate or have time.

Easy, right? Let's see a summary of the uses of each modal verb

• Can: indica habilidad o posibilidad (como "poder" en español).
• Could: posibilidad o habilidad en el pasado. También para pedir permiso de manera formal (en frases interrogativas).
• May: posibilidad en el futuro, permisos o instrucciones.
• Might: posibilidad en el presente o el futuro.
• Will: voluntad o determinación (vamos a hacer X cosa).
• Shall: igual que will, pero más educado y más común en el Reino Unido.
• Should: obligación o recomendación.
• Ought to: sinónimo de should.
• Must: obligación, prohibición o necesidad.
• Would: preferencia. También sirve para pedir o preguntar por algo de manera educada.

can	could	may	might	will
would	must	shall	should	ought to

Modals are different from normal verbs:

1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').

Probability:

First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

For example:

• It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
• I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
• This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

Click here to find out more about probability.

Ability

We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.

For example:

• She can speak six languages.
• My grandfather could play golf very well.
• I can't drive.

Click here to find out more about ability.

Obligation and Advice

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

For example:

• Children must do their homework.
• We have to wear a uniform at work.
• You should stop smoking.

EJERCICIO

1. ____ you help me with my English exam?

a) Might

b) Will

c) Ought

d) Should

2. You ____ read the washing machine instructions carefully or you will ruin your clothes.

a) could

b) must

c) will

d) ought

3. We ____ take an umbrella. It looks like it's raining cats and dogs.

a) may

b) should

c) might

d) could

4. ____ you always be late?

a) May

b) Might

c) Would

d) Must

5. I ____ love to go to the beach this August.

a) will

b) may

c) should

d) would

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckl_XQDDQqs