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Modal Verbs

The document outlines the usage of modal verbs in English, including 'can', 'could', 'must', 'have to', 'should', 'may', and 'might'. It explains their meanings related to ability, permission, obligation, prohibition, and advice, along with examples for clarity. Additionally, it provides the structure for using these modal verbs in sentences.

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Fermín Rubio González
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25 views16 pages

Modal Verbs

The document outlines the usage of modal verbs in English, including 'can', 'could', 'must', 'have to', 'should', 'may', and 'might'. It explains their meanings related to ability, permission, obligation, prohibition, and advice, along with examples for clarity. Additionally, it provides the structure for using these modal verbs in sentences.

Uploaded by

Fermín Rubio González
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ABILITY = Saber / poder

• CAN/CAN’T = present
• COULD/COULDN’T = past
• BE ABLE TO = all other tenses

• EXAMPLES:
• I can’t drive a car but I can ride a motorbike.
• When I was 6, I could swim very well.
• In two years I will be able to drive a car.
• PERMISSION • REQUESTS
• CAN = informal • CAN YOU…? = informal
• COULD = polite • COULD YOU…? = polite
• MAY = formal • WILL YOU…? = neutral

• ¿Puedo /podría…? • ¿Puedes /podrías…?


OBLIGATION: Must = Deber / Have to
= tener que
• MUST = Present
(It expresses obligation that comes from internal factors,
this is, I agree with/accept the obligation).
• HAVE TO = Other tenses (past, future…)
(It expresses obligation that comes from external factors,
this is, someone or something else makes me do
something, even if I don‘t want to).
EXAMPLES:
• We must treat each other with respect.
• I have to be back home at 11.
• When I finish school I will have to get a job.
HAVE TO
• Have to is conjugated depending on the person
we are talking about.
He
She Has to / doesn’t have to
It

I
You Have to / don’t have to
We
They
DON’T/DOESN’T HAVE TO
• The negative form of “have to” is
“don’t/doesn’t have to” (depending on the
subject, as explained in the previous slide),
and it is used to express that there is NO
OBLIGATION OR NEED to do something.

– We mustn’t smoke in the school, it’s forbidden.


– She mustn’t come home after 10 p.m.
MUSTN’T (MUST NOT)
• The negative form of “must” is “mustn’t”, and
it is used to express a strong obligation to not
do something, this is, a PROHIBITION.

– We mustn’t smoke in the school, it’s forbidden.


– She mustn’t come home after 10 p.m.
PROHIBITION
• MUSTN’T = No debes
• CAN’T = No puedes

EXAMPLES:
• You mustn’t smoke so much, it’s too bad!
• You can’t take photographs in this museum.
ADVICE = Consejo
• SHOULD (debería) / SHOULDN´T - negative
It’s used to give advice or recommendation
about something.
• It’s cold in here. You should turn on the heating.
• You shouldn’t tell anybody about this. It’s a secret.
• You should go now. It’s getting late!

NOTE: We can also use MUST for strong advice


e.g. You MUST take her to the hospital, she’s almost
dying!
MAY / MIGHT
• May / Might (podría)
They are used to express PROBABILITY.
The differences are that MAY is more formal and
expresses a slightly higher level of probability
than MIGHT.
– It might rain today.
– It may rain today, it’s cloudy!
STRUCTURE TO USE MODAL VERBS:
• Subject + Modal Verb (positive or negative) + main verb in base form + Complement
She should go to the doctor.
We mustn’t travel/go out during the COVID-19
My grandma has to be very careful these days.
• http://www.learnenglish-
online.com/grammar/modals/tests/modalabili
ty2.html
• http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-
modals-have-to-must-not-quiz.htm
• http://www.english-grammar-
lessons.com/musthaveto/exercise9.swf
• http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/must
haveto/exercise7.swf

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