Modals

Modals

Modal verbs:

Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, or advice. They do not change form (they don’t take -s, -ed, or -ing), and they are always followed by the base form of the main verb: modal + verb.

Can, Can´t, Be able to

Must, Mustn´t, Could

Have to / Need to, Don’t Have to / Need n’t, Will

should / ought to, may / might

shall, would like, Had better

Modal Perfects:

They are used to talk about past actions, they are not perfect but its structure is very similar:Modal + have + past participle.

Should have

May/might have

Could have

Must have

Would have

Can´t have

Needn't have

Can:

Uses: ability, request, possibility

examples:

• She can play the piano.
• Can you help me with this?

Can't :

Uses: strong disbelief, prohibition

examples:

• That can't be true!
• You can't park in this area.

Be able to:

Uses: ability, possibility

examples:

• He will be able to finish the project by noon.
• I will be able to get there by 11.00.

Must:

Uses: obligation, strong belief

examples:

• You must drive more carefully.
• This must be the house.

Mustn't

Uses: prohibition

examples:

• You mustn’t wander around on your own.
• We mustn’t be late for the meeting.

Could:

Uses: past ability, possibility, polite request

examples:

• When I was younger, I could run very fast.
• Could you help me with my homework?

Should / Ought to

Uses: advice

examples:

• You should apologize for being rude.
• You ought to save more money.

May / Might:

Uses: possibility

examples:

• He may be at work now.
• It might rain this evening.

May

Uses: polite request, permission

examples:

• May I sit here?
• May I borrow your book?

Have to / Need to:

Uses: necessity, obligation

examples:

• We have to finish the project today.
• You need to call your doctor.

Don’t have to / Needn’t:

Uses: lack of necessity

examples:

• You don’t have to bring anything to the party.
• We needn’t wake up early tomorrow.

Will:

Uses: future, certainty

examples:

• She will visit her grandmother next weekend.
• This will be an unforgettable experience.

Shall

Uses: offer, suggestion, formal promise

examples:

• Shall I carry your bag?
• You shall receive your package soon.

would like

Uses: desire, polite request

examples:

• I would like a cup of tea, please.
• He would like to meet you tomorrow.

Had better

Uses:strong recommendation, warning

examples:

• You had better study for the test.
• We had better leave before it gets dark.