REPÚBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA
INSTITUTO UNIVERSITARIO POLITÉCNICO
“SANTIAGO MARIÑO”
EXTENSIÓN MATURÍN
INGLÉS II
VERBOS MODALES EN INGLÉS
Definición, Estructuras y Funciones
Professor’s name: Angel Gil
Maturín, octubre 2024
What are ‘Modal Verbs’?
They are auxiliary verbs that express MODALITY. These verbs have the
particularity of modifying the meaning of a verb when it accompanies them. These
are used in combination with other verbs to express different degrees of capacity,
possibility, permission, need, obligation, prohibition, security … referring to the
main verb.
But they are auxiliary verbs different from the already known TO BE, TO
HAVE and TO DO, since these can be used as the main verb.
These verbs are used in the formation of futures, conditionals and pasts; As
we mentioned before, they are accompanied by another verb that will always be
in the infinitive form.
Types of Modal Verbs:
Can – Could
May – Might
Must – Should
Will – Would
Rules of Modal Verbs
1) Modal verbs can never be used by themselves.
Example sentences: I can drive a car.
You can speak English very well.
He can play the guitar.
She can swim.
2) A modal verb is followed by the base form of the main verb.
Example sentence: I can run.
3) Modal verbs cannot be conjugated.
Example sentences: He can play the guitar.
She can swim.
4) Form the negative form using just "not" or using the contracted form according
the auxiliary verb.
Example sentences: I cannot drive a car. Or I can't drive a car.
You cannot speak English very well.
He can't play the guitar.
She can't swim.
5) To form the interrogative form, use the modal auxiliary verb without any other
auxiliary or helping verb.
Example sentences: Can he play the guitar?
Can she swim?
Can you speak English very well?
Six Different Types of Situations:
• Possibility
• Ability
• Advice
• Permission
• Obligation
• Hypothetical / Conditional
How are ‘Modal verbs’ Used?
– CAN –
MEANING: Indicates physical ability or mental ability to do something. It translates
as power.
NEGATIVE FORM: Cannot or can’t.
USE: The modal verb Can can be used in the present, but not in the past or
future.
▪ Use to explain what you can do: She can come before six o’clock. (Ella
puede venir antes de las seis)
▪ Use to talk about a possibility: These chairs can be painted.
▪ To talk about something that is allowed: You can pay with a credit card.
▪ Use to place an order (be careful, if it is used in this way, it is for an informal
environment, the correct thing is to use the modal verb MAY): Can you
come here, please?
– COULD –
MEANING: It indicates physical ability or mental capacity to do something, but if
we want to use the verb CAN in the past tense. Another meaning that it acquires
is in its way of showing possibility (informal use, for a more formal language we
would use the verbs MAY and MIGHT), translating as the conditional could.
NEGATIVE FORM: Could not, couldn’t
USE:
▪ Conditional: You could pass the test if you studied.
▪ Use of Past: I couldn’t sleep last night.
– MAY / MIGHT –
This modal verb, MAY, is very closely linked to MIGHT, since they both have the
same use and meaning, but MAY is used when there is a greater degree of
certainty.
Both are used in very polite and courteous language, with the second form,
MIGHT, being the highest degree of courtesy.
NEGATIVE FORM: May not / Might not
USE: It is used for actions or situations embedded in the present or future. Also, to
give permission for an action to be performed. One last use would be for those
situations that are hypothetical.
▪ Show Possibility: It May rain. The weatherman said it might rain.
▪ Request Information: May I speak? I might visit on Saturday.
– MUST –
MEANING: It expresses an obligation, prohibition, need, duty or condition that
cannot be changed. We will use it when we want to indicate that we are very sure
of the certainty of something and when expressing an opinion, to emphasize why it
is necessary to do that. It could be translated as duty.
NEGATIVE FORM: Must not / mustn’t
USE:
▪ Indicate that you have to do something because it is a rule or because it is
very important: You must pay your taxes.
▪ For the prohibitions: You mustn’t steal.
▪ Rhetorical questions: Must you always be late?
▪ To talk about something that is very logical or that we are sure will
happen: They must be really rich to live in such a house.
– SHOULD –
MEANING: It also expresses an obligation or recommendation, but a type of
obligation that can be dispensed with is not as strict as Must. It could be
considered as a suggestion.
NEGATIVE FORM: Should not / Shouldn’t
USE:
▪ To say the right thing: You should be helping your mother.
▪ Give advice: You should try the new restaurant.
▪ To express an obligation: We should invite mom and dad to dinner tonight.
– WILL –
NEGATIVE FORM: Will not, won’t
USE:
▪ To talk about the future: I hope he will pass his exams.
▪ Give promises: I won’t do that again, I promise.
▪ To request information or a favor: Will you help me move?
– WOULD –
NEGATIVE FORM: Would not / wouldn’t
APPLICATIONS:
▪ In the form of Will’s past in an indirect speech: He said he wouldn’t be late.
▪ To talk about an imaginary situation: What would you do if you were a
millionaire?
▪ To order politely: Would you get me the paper, please?
▪ To invite someone in a polite way: Would you like a drink?
To express that you want something, or do something: I would like a cup of coffee,
please. We’d rather study with you.
Chart of Degree of Modal Verbs in English
Four modal verbs are used to show Five modal verbs are used to ask for
POSSIBILITY. PERMISSION.
Five modal verbs can be used to give Four modal verbs are used to make
ADVICE. REQUESTS.
MODALS FUNCTIONS
Possibility Ability Permission Obligation Condition
I can attend the I can attend the I can attend I would attend
meeting. It is meeting. John the meeting. I the meeting.
"can" possible. will take me. have However, I have
permission. another
meeting.
I could attend I could attend Could I ask I would attend
the meeting. It the meeting. My you a the meeting.
"could" was possible. schedule was question? However, I have
free. (Past) (more polite) another
meeting.
I may attend I may attend I would attend
the meeting. the meeting. I the meeting.
"may" There is a 50% have However, I have
chance. permission. another
(Formal) meeting.
I might attend I would attend
the meeting. the meeting.
"might" There is a 50% However, I have
chance. (Less another
certain) meeting.
I should attend I would attend
the meeting. It is the meeting.
"should" the right thing to However, I have
do. another
meeting.
I will attend the I would attend
meeting. I the meeting.
"will" promise. However, I have
another
meeting.
When I was I would attend I would attend
young, I would the meeting. the meeting.
"would" play in the park. However, I have However, I have
(Past) another meeting. another
meeting.
I must attend the
meeting. It is
"must" important.
(Strong)
