Modal verbs ( ability, obligation and permission)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Modal verbs

ability, permission, obligation

We use modals because they are a shorter way of expressing ability,permission or obligation.

modal verbs

What is a modal verb?

Amodal verb is similar to an auxiliary verb, but with the particularity that they help us to express things like abilty, permission, obligattion, etc

characteristics

They always go with another verb into their infinitive form (infinitive without "to")

They don't have an "-s" in the 3rd person singular form, nor -ing forms or participles.

They don't use an auxiliary verb for the negative and interrogative forms

They can't be accompanied by another modal.

modal verbs: ABILITY

Ability

Having the skills, power or means to do something. To express ability we use: CAN/COULD/BE ABLE TO

modal verbs: ability

could (PAST TENSE)

can (PRESENT TENSE)

We use "could" when we want to express that someone had/didn't have the ability to do something in the past: He could swim when he was 4. I couldn't ride a bike when I was 3.

We use "can" when we want to express that someone has/hasn't the ability to do something in the present tense: I can speak English He can't speak French

MODAL VERBS: ABILITY

OK, we have modals for the present and the past, what about the future??

for the future we use the non modal expression = be able to "was/were able to" also has the meaning of "manage" ( conseguir-en pasado)

MODAL VERBS: ABILITY

Ability

COULD= PAST

FUTURE???

CAN= PRESENT

WAS/WERE ABLE TO

BE ABLE TO

WILL BE ABLE TO

modal verbs: permission

Permission

Giving permission to someone. To express permission we use: CAN/COULD/BE ALLOWED TO

MODAL VERBS: permission

CAN= PRESENT

COULD= PAST

FUTURE???

Permission

BE ALLOWED TO

WAS/WERE ALLOWED TO

WILL BE ALLOWED TO

modal verbs: permission

VÍDEO

Here you have a video in which permission is explained. BONUS VERB: MAY (Only for asking for permission in 1st person singular form)

modal verbs: Ability and permission

Modals of Ability and Permission

can/could

can / can't + infinitive

to eXPRESS ABILITY IN THE PRESENT

TO GIVE PERMISSION

COULD / COULDN'T + INFINITIVE

TO eXPRESS ABILITY IN THE PAST

TO ASK FOR PERMISSION IN AN EDUCATE WAY

TO eXPRESS PERMISSION IN THE PAST

Non- modal expressions for Ability and Permission

BE ABLE TO/ BE ALLOWED tO

BE ABLE TO + INFINITIVE

TO eXPRESS ABILITY IN DIFFERENT TENSES

IN THE PAST TENSE: MANAGE ( conseguir)

BE ALLOWED TO + INFINITIVE

TO GIVE PERMISSION IN DIFFERENT TENSES

MODAL VERBS: OBLIGATION, PROHIBITION, NECESSITY

Obligation, prohibition, necessity

MUST/ HAVE TOMUSTN'T NEED DONT NEED TO/DON'T HAVE TO

modal verbs: obligation, prohibition and necessity

NECESSITY/lack of necessity

PROHIBITION

obligation:

• Mustn't (modal verb)
• You mustn't get up

• Need to (quasi-modal)
• She needs to hurry
• She doesn't need to get up

• Must (modal verb)
• I must do my homework

• Have to (non- modal verb)
• I have to go now

• Don't have to ( non-modal verb)
• She doesn't have to get up

MODAL VERBS: OBLIGATION, PROHIBITION, NECESSITY

modal verbs: obligation, prohibition and necessity

must / have to

The difference between the affirmative forms of "must" and "have to" is not really big. In most cases they are interchangeable. Usually, if we are talking about a law/rule, we tend to use "have to",whilst if i am expressing an internal obligation, we use "must". "Must" is not usally used when we make questions, so we use "do you have to + inf?" instead.

modal verbs: obligation,prohibition and necessity

MODAL VERBS: ABILITY, PERMISSION, OBLIGATION, PROHIBITION AND NECESSITY

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