Modal Verbs

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Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs are auxiliary verbs that can not function as a main verb, unlike auxiliary verbs be, do, and have who can function as a main verb.

Modal Verbs express modality. They can express ability, possibility, necessity or other condition. Auxiliary verbs are the future and the conditional. English tenses are not enought to express ideas of chance or uncertainty.

No one of the conditional tense in English. In turn, auxiliary verbs are used for conditional. Not is there as the subjunctive tense in Spanish. Therefore it is very important understand the uses of modal verbs.

As complementary verbs are modals verbs do not work without other verb. This other verb always goes after the modal verb in the base form (infinitive without to). No modal verbs are conjuged and have no time.

Here are some important differences: 1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. Examples: He can speak Chinese. She should be here by 9:00.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past. Examples: He should not be late. They might not come to the party.

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses. Examples: He will can go with us. Not Correct She musted study very hard. Not Correct They might not come to the party.

Can
Can means skill or ability. In these cases it may be translated as power in Spanish. I can speak five languages. Bill and Tom can not help you. In interrogative sentences, the use of Can may request permission or to inquire about possibilities. Can I have a glass of water? Can you help me?

Could
Could is the past of Can indicates possibility or ability in the past. Joe could speak Spanish when he was young. I could not sleep last night. In interrogative sentences, Could may request permission or to inquire about the possibilities, but is more formal. Could you pass the salt please? Could you help me?

May
May indicated future possibilities. I would bring as umbrella, it may rain later. Can also be used to give permission or instructions. You may leave if you like. You may use your cell phone now. The used of May is more polite than Can or Could in the interrogative sentences. May I have a glass of water? May I leave now?

Will
Will is used to form the future tense. I will help you. We will learn English. Use Will in interrogative sentences to ask for information, a favor or options. Will they find a cure for cancer? Will you help me move?

Should
Should indicates a requirement or recommentadion. It reflects a view on what is right. It translates to the subjunctive of Debe in Spanish. I should call my parents more often. You should not work so hard. Use Should in interrogative sentences to ask if there is an obligation or to request a recommendation. Should we leave a trip? Should I have the steak or the chicken?

Must
Must indicates a obligation, prohibition or requirement. Can also be used have to. You must/have to read this book, its fantastic. You must not drink and drive. You can also use Must for theorical questions. Must you always be late?

Would
Use Would to declare a preference and to ask for something politely. She would like to go to New York someday. The interrogative form: Would you like some coffee? When would you like to go to the Cinema?

Might
Use Might to indicate possibilities in the present or the future. In these cases, it is synonymous with May. I would bring an unmbrella, it might rain later. It might be better to finish this now, rather than wait until tomorrow. Can also be used, like may, to ask permission or make polite requests, although this use is common in the UK than in U.S.

Ought to
Ought to is synonymous with Should. She ought to quit smoking. I ought to call my parents more often. Never use Ought to in American English interrogative sentences.

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