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Tabla Modales

Modal verbs are used to express meanings like ability, permission, possibility, obligation, certainty, advice and necessity. The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, should, ought to, shall, will and would. Each modal verb has a specific meaning and use depending on the tense. For example, "can" expresses ability or permission in the present tense, "could" expresses ability or permission in the past tense, and "must" expresses obligation in the present tense or certainty in the present tense. Alternatives to the modal verbs exist if you need to use other tenses.

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798 views

Tabla Modales

Modal verbs are used to express meanings like ability, permission, possibility, obligation, certainty, advice and necessity. The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, should, ought to, shall, will and would. Each modal verb has a specific meaning and use depending on the tense. For example, "can" expresses ability or permission in the present tense, "could" expresses ability or permission in the past tense, and "must" expresses obligation in the present tense or certainty in the present tense. Alternatives to the modal verbs exist if you need to use other tenses.

Uploaded by

Bixinis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MODAL VERBS

MODAL BASIC ALTERNATIVES if you


TENSE EXAMPLE
VERB MEANING have to use other tenses

Be able to
I can swim very well. (ALL THE TENSES)
Ability He cant sing flamenco. I am able to swim
Can we play instruments? I wasnt able to sing
I will be able to go
Can Present Be allowed to
Can I go to the toilet?
Permission I cant stay late at night. (ALL THE TENSES)
I can go out tonight. I was allowed to go
I will be able to go
She cant be at home, her
Impossibility ----------
car isnt in the garage.
Be able to
Ability I could talk at the age of 3. I was able to open the
Past door. (Just ONCE)
Permission I couldnt go out last night. Be allowed to
Could I was allowed to go
Formal Could you pass the salt,
-------
Requests please?
Present
Tom could be on the train
Possibility -------
now.
AFFIRMATIVE: Have to
Obligation You must go to school. (obligation)
He must make his bed. (ALL THE TENSES)
NEGATIVE I have to study
Prohibition You mustnt smoke herel. I had to study
We mustnt drive a car. I didnt have to clean
Ill have to study
Must Present
Dont have to
POSITIVE (Absence of obligation)
He must be at school now. I dont have to go
Certainty
This coat must be Johns. (No tengo que ir)
Different from
I mustnt go
(No debo ir)
You should see a doctor.
Should / You oght to attend the
Present Advice ----------
ought to meeting.
You shouldnt drive so fast.
It may rain.
Possibility It may not rain.
----------
May Present
Permission May I come in, please? Be allowed to
Might Present Probability Cars might fly in the future. ----------
Dont have to
Needn
Neednt Present Necessity You neednt come so early. (Absence of obligation)
I didnt have to come.

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