MODAL VERBS
CIRA LEAL C.I 16770689 ESCUELA 41
Modal verbs are a special kind of auxiliary verbs. Like other auxiliary verbs, they are always used with amain verb. Moreover, the modal verbs express an attitude to what we say. They are useful to express how certain or uncertain people are about an event,or how willing or unwilling we are to do something. There are twelve modal auxiliary verbs, and they are used with very great frequency and in wide range of meanings. Modal verbs have different functions; they help us to express concept or attitudes, recommendations, refusals,possibilities, expectations, probabilities and certainties; promises and intentions, abilities and willingness.
CAN Can is used to express abilities or opportunities, to requests or offer permissions, and to show possibilities or impossibilities Abilities I can play de flute very wel. Sandra can ride a bike
Possibility I can buy a present for my mom. Any child can grow up to be president Request Can i help you? Can i ask you a question? Permission You can take my bike if you need it I can drive Susan’s car when she is out of town
COULD Could is the past tense of can. It is also more polite. Is is less sure.
Abilities in the past (Past of Can) I could write a letter I could swin long distance when I was young Permission/Request Could I see you a minute, please? Could she go to bed? Possibility, low probability or one possibility of many. We could go out together like we did last year I could have done better if I had had more time Suggestion You could talk to your parents and ask them You could spen your time in Japan.
MAY May is usedto talkabout something that is possuble to do at any time. It is more formal tan can. Is ts useful to giver or request a permission. Permission You may go anywhere I may choose to wear the red dress the party
Request May i smoke here? May I borrow your eraser? Possibility, more probable tan could It is couldy, it may rain later You may go home now, if you like
MIGHT Might is most commonly used to express possibilities. It isalso posible use it to make suggestions or requests. It is the past tense of may in indirect speech. Express possibility She might be at home I sad it might rain Suggestions He might take the bus He said that he might come Request Might I ask you a question? Might I have something to drink?
SHOULD Should is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligations as well as expectations. Duty We should obey our oarents and teachers. I should go home now.
Obligation You should pay the fees in time. You should call you mother Advice I should drive slowly. It’s raining He should eat more. He is very thin Rational probability I should be happy to help you I should be able to win.
SHALL Shall is used to indicate future actions; it is also frequently used in promises or voluntaru actions. Is is often found in suggestions. Future actions I sahll be ther by 8:00 She sahll dance today
suggestions Sahll we begin the dinner? Sahll he dance? Promises I shall take care of everything for you I shall help youevery day
WOULD Would is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. it also serves as the past from or the modal verb will. Additionally, would can indicate repettion in the past. Talk about past I said Iwould hel you When I was a kid,I would always go to the park Repetitions in past Every summer we’d go to seaside Every Sunday she’d stay in the park Polite offers Would you open the door, please? Would you drink a soda?
WILL Will is used promises or voluntary actions that take place in the future. Will can also be used to make predictions about the future. Future actions Fred will be there by 6:00 You’ll wáter the plants
Promises I promise that I will write you every day I will call you at 4 pm Prediction He thinks it will rain tomorrow The marketing director will be replaced you by someone
OUGHT TO Ought to is used to advise or make recommendations. Ought to express asumptions or expectation as well as strong probability. Recommendation Margaret ought to exercise more You ought to study for examen
Adivice You ought to eat more vegetables Mark ought to not drink so much Probability He thinks it will rain tomorrow The marketing director will be replaced you by someone
HAVE TO Have to is used to express certainty, necessity and obligation.
Certainty This answer has to be correct He has to be Jerry because they said he was tall with bright red hair Necessity She has to read four books for this literatura class She has to finish the first book before the midterm Obligation They have to leave early In England, ,ost school children have to wear a uniform
MUST Must es most commonly used to express obligations. It can also to express necessities or strong recommendations. Obligation This must be the right addrress A person must drink water
Necessity I must call my mother You must have permossion to enter the national park Recommendation You must study more You must take sometime off and get some rest