MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs. This means that they are not conjugated with grammatical persons, so:

• They do not have an infinitive (for example, there is no to can)
• They have no gerund (for example, there is no mighting)
• They have no participle (for example, there is no willed)

A modal verb can express ability, need, condition or "modality" hence its meaning depends on the context of the sentence and the verbs with which they are conjugated. For example:

→ My keys must be in the car. (Here the modal verb must modifies the verb to be, to indicate that it is very likely that the curly braces are in the co The characteristics of modal verbs)

There are four main characteristics of modal verbs:

• They do not conjugate, as we saw in the previous section.
• They modify other verbs, so after a modal verb there is always a verb in its infinitive form (without the to), for example:

→ You can eat better

• They express certainty, ability, need, willingness and obligation.
• The negative or interrogative form of a modal verb does not need an auxiliary, since the verb in question is used for those purposes, for example:

→ I can't swim.

→ Can you drive?

Three essential rules to correctly use modal verbs:

• They are always followed by an infinitive verb, since they have no meaning by themselves. Normally this verb does not carry to, although there are some exceptions that are also considered modal verbs: be able to, need to, have to and ought to.
• They are not conjugated, that is, they do not add -s in the third person singular and they have no past or future. They also do not have infinitive, compound or progressive tenses.
• In the interrogative and negative forms, they do not need to add the auxiliary (do or does). For example: Can you come with me tomorrow?

The most used modal verbs in English are 10:

• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Will
• Would
• Must
• Shall
• Should
• Ought to

Let's now review the most used modal verbs and in what contexts they are used:

• Can: It expresses ability or possibility and in Spanish we translate them as “power”. Examples:

→ I can go to Andorra.

→ I can’t escort go with you.

→ Can you cook me a good breakfast?

• Could: It is the past form of "can", but it is also used to express possibility. It also serves to ask with a formal tone (particularly to make requests to those who listen to us). Examples:

→ Peter could not go to the market with us.

→ We could go to Spain.

→ Could you buy me a soda?

• May: This modal verb is used to express possibility and probability. Examples:

→ She may pass the test.

→ It may not rain tomorrow.

→ May I come in?

• Might: It is used to give suggestions and possibilities and it is also used for requests and offers. Examples:

→ Might I buy you a drink?

→ My father might paint my room in black.

→ This plant might not grow without water

• Will: It is best known for expressing the future in English, but it is also used to express a decision made at the moment it is spoken or the intention to do something. Examples:

→ He will call me back.

→ I will not go to school tomorrow.

→ Rubius will teach me Norwegian.

• Would: It is used to make requests with kindness and also serves to indicate constant actions in the past. Examples:

→ I wish my mom would buy me a book from Mike.

→ He would visit his mother every Christmas.

→ Would you think of me in your dreams?

• Must: Sometimes it can mean assumptions, but the most common is that it refers to needs or commitments. Examples:

→ He must be back by tomorrow.

→ You must go home.

→ You must not eat late.

• Shall: In recent times it has fallen into disuse in the United States within the informal language, but in the United Kingdom it is still common. Also its meaning is the same as will. Examples:

→ I shall be at your birthday party.

→ You shall not pass!

→ You shall not go to the party.

• Should: This verb that is translated into Spanish as "duty" has the idea of ​​an obligation or recommendation. Examples:

→ You should make your homework.

→ You should take your medicine.

→ You should listen to your older sister.

• Ought to: Actually it is not so widely used thanks to the fact that it is synonymous with should, but it is worth reviewing some examples:

→ She ought to go with her sister.

→ You ought to be more polite.

→ He ought to go with her brother.

One Application To Life

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that we use to express an opinion about whether something is probable or possible. We also use them when talking about ability, asking for permission, or making a request. For example, when you ask your mother for permission to go to a friend's house or when you mention that you are good at playing video games.