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Modal Verbs

This document discusses modal verbs in English and their meanings and uses. It explains that modal verbs modify other verbs and don't have different conjugations. Common modal verbs are can, could, must, should, may, might, will, and would, along with their meanings relating to abilities, permissions, possibilities, obligations, recommendations, and other uses.

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Marcel Soares
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11 views

Modal Verbs

This document discusses modal verbs in English and their meanings and uses. It explains that modal verbs modify other verbs and don't have different conjugations. Common modal verbs are can, could, must, should, may, might, will, and would, along with their meanings relating to abilities, permissions, possibilities, obligations, recommendations, and other uses.

Uploaded by

Marcel Soares
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODAL VERBS

- modalize other verbs (they are


always with other verbs)
I speak English.
I can speak English.
- there aren't double modal verbs
(they don't go together)
I will can do this.
I will be able to do this.
- they are auxiliary verbs (we
don't need another auxiliary verb
[do, does, did, have, is, am, are])
May I enter?
Do I may enter?
- we don't need to use "to"
I must to work.
I have to work.
I must work.
- they don't have different
conjugations
She has to study.
I have to study.
I play the guitar.
He plays the guitar.
She should study.
I should study.

CAN - PODER - CONSEGUIR -


SABER
- abilities: I can speak English.
- willingness: I can help you.
- possibility/probability: This can
be good.
- request: Can you open the
window?
- permission: Can I open the
window?
- prohibition/impossibility: You
can't open the window.

COULD - PODERIA - PODIA -


SABERIA - CONSEGUIRIA -
CONSEGUIA
- past abilities: I could speak
English when I was a child.
- polite willingness: I could help
you.
- more remote
possibility/probability: This could
be good.
- polite request: Could you open
the window?
- polite permission: Could I open
the window?
- polite prohibition/impossibility:
You couldn't open the window.
- conditional: If I could, I would
study more.

MUST - DEVER

- obligation: You must study


everyday.
- prohibition: You mustn't work
every day.
- deductions: You must be tired.
- strong recommendations:
You must sleep now.

SHOULD - DEVERIA
- guess: You should be tired.
- advice: You should sleep a little.
- appropriateness: A lawyer should
be formal.

MAY - PODER

- permission: May I stay here?


- prohibition: You may not stay
here.
- probability/possibility: It may rain
tomorrow.

MIGHT - PODER

- remote probability/possibility: It
might rain tomorrow.
WILL - (FUTURE) IR

- predictions: It will rain tomorrow.


- formal invitations: Will you marry
me?
negative: won't / will not

WOULD - "IA/AVA"

- hypothesis: Would you eat horse


meat?
- conditional: If I had time, I would
study more.
- past habit: When I was a child, I
would always eat cookies.
- desire (+like/love/prefer): Would
you like some coffee?

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