MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

• Modal verbs come before main verbs and never change form, except BE ABLE TO, NEED TO and HAVE TO.• They are used with a main verb to indicate ability, necessity, possibility, and permission.• The main verb takes the bare infinitive form. • They don´t use auxiliary interrogative and negative forms (do,does, did), except HAVE TO and NEED TO.

BE ABLE TO

COULD

CAN

MAY/MIGHT

MUST

SHOULD

HAVE TO

NEED TO

Rafa Lara Castro 4º B

BE ABLE TO is used for present, past, and future ability and possibility.

Examples:Afirmative:In a few months, I will be able to play the guitar. Negative:A few years ago, I wasn´t able to play the guitar. Interrogative:Will you be able to play the guitar soon? Short answers:Yes, I will / No, I won´t.

We use HAVE TO to talk about obligation or things that are necessary to do. We use DON´T HAVE TO to show that there is no obligation.

Examples:Afirmative:I have to study hard. Negative:I don´t have to go with them. Interrogative:Do you have to go with them? Short answers:Yes, you do / No, you don´t.

COULD refers to an ability that a person had in the past or to a possibility in the past. It is also used to ask for permission politely.

Examples:Afirmative:When I was five years old, I could ride a bike.Negative:When I was five years old, I couldn´t ride a bike.Interrogative:Could you ride a bike ten years ago? Could I go to the toilet?Short answers:Yes, you could / No, you couldn´t.

CAN is used to express ability, to grant or ask for permission and to show possibility or impossibility.

Examples:Afirmative:I can play the guitar. Negative:I can´t/cannot play the guitar. Interrogative:Can you play the guitar? Can I go to the toilet? Short answers:Yes, I can / No, I can´t.

MUST is used to express obligation, give orders and give advice. MUSTN´T express prohibition.

Examples:Afirmative:I must study hard. Negative:I mustn´t speak during the class. Interrogative:Must I do that? Short answers:Yes, you must / No, you mustn´t.

We use NEED TO to talk about obligation or things that are necessary to do. We use DON´T NEED TO to show that there is no obligation.

Examples:Afirmative:You need to improve your score. Negative:You don´t need to clean the floor. Interrogative:Do you need to go to the doctor? Short answers:Yes, I do / No, I don´t.

MAY and MIGHT are used to talk about possibilities. MAY is also used to politely ask or give permission.

Examples:Afirmative:He may /might come with us. Negative:He may/might not come with us.Interrogative:May I go now? Short answers:Yes, you may / No, you may not.

SHOULD is used to tell somebody what they ought to do and to give or ask for advice.

Examples:Afirmative:You should go the doctor.Negative:You shouldn´t do that.Interrogative:Should I go to the doctor?Short answers:Yes, you should / No, you shouldn´t.