Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

Los verbos modales son verbos auxiliares que no pueden funcionar como un verbo principal. Los verbos modales expresan modalidad, habilidad, posibilidad, necesidad u otra condición. Son verbos complementarios, es decir, los verbos modales no funcionan sin otro verbo. Este otro verbo siempre va después del verbo modal y está en la forma base. No se conjugan los verbos modales y no tienen tiempo.

Can

• Es usado para expresar habilidad, permiso o posibilidad. 

• Ability:    Cindy can play the violin.

• Permission:    Can I borrow your cell phone today?

• Possibility:     German can be very hard to understand sometimes. 

• Can not = can't

Could 

• Es usado para expresar habilidad, permiso o posibilidad. También en el condicional y el pasado del verbo Can. 

• Conditional:    Could you open the door for me, please?

• Past tense:     I could run 10 miles when I was 20 years old. 

• Could not = couldn't 

Should / Ought to 

• Son usados para expresar consejo y probabilidad. 

• Advice:    You should study everyday.  /   You ought to study everyday. 

• Probability:    He should be home by 9:30.

• Should not = shouldn't 

Must / Have to

• Son usados para expresar obligación y necesidad.

• Obligation:    You must go to work.  /  You have to go to work. 

• Necessity:    I must call her before she leaves.  / I have to call her...

• Must not = mustn't   /   Have to = don't have to

May

• Es usado para expresar permiso o posibilidad. 

• Permission:    May I use the bathroom?

• Possibility:     She may come next week. 

Might 

• Es usado para expresar posibilidad y puede reemplazar al modal May. 

•  Ex:    It might rain later. 

Will / Shall

• Son usados para expresar el futuro. 

• Ex:   They will go to China next summer.  /  They shall go to China next summer. 

• Algunas veces Shall puede indicar una obligación. 

• Ex:   You shall finish your homework. 

  
  

• Will not =  won't 

Would 

• Es usado en frases condicionales y para requerimientos o preguntas formales. 

• Conditional:    If she were taller she would be a model. 

• Polite request:    Would you open the window for me, please?    /    Would you like something to eat? 

• Would not =   Wouldn't 

Multiple Choice

____ you help me?

• Can

• May

• Should

Multiple Choice

They ____ practice more if they want to win the championship.

• may

• might

• should

Multiple Choice

You ______ not drink and drive.

• must

• have to

• will

Multiple Choice

I _______ like to go to New York someday.

• will

• shall

• would

Multiple Choice

He ______ to work less.

• should

• ought

• can

Multiple Choice

It ______ be dangerous to drive if you are tired.

• can

• could

• will

Multiple Choice

Megan ______ play both the piano and the guitar.

• have to

• can

• might

Multiple Choice

Start eating without me, I _______ be late.

• might

• could

• can

Multiple Choice

You ______ wear a helmet when riding your bike.

• might

• can

• must

Multiple Choice

______ you help me with my homework?

• Can

• Might

• Could

Multiple Choice

That cut looks infected, you ______ go to the doctor.

• should

• could

• can

Multiple Choice

I ______ like to learn English some day.

• would

• can

• have to

Multiple Choice

John ______ come with us to the movies if he finishes his work.

• may

• would

• will