Modal verbs infographic

What is a modal verb?

Hecho por Elena Bartolomé, Gema Santesteban y Juanjo restrepo

Definition

Modal or Semimodal

Modal verbs are used to express certain hypothetical conditions, such as advisability, capability, or requests. They’re used alongside a main verb to inflect its meaning.

A semi-moodal is used to express the same things as modals, but are a combination of auxiliarity verbs and the preposition to

A modal is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation

Characteristics

Use and examples

- Ability/Permission: Can/ Could / be able (-/+) - Obligation: Must/Have to (-/+) - Advice: Should/Ought to/ Be allowed to (-/+) - Possibility: Might/May (-/+) - Request: Will/ Would (-/+)

In the third person singular form, ‘s’ is not used with these verbs

The form of the modals never change

These can only be used with another verb

They don't have past forms