MODAL VERBS

M O D A L V E R B S

Modal verbs are a very special kind of verbs. They have only one form. They occupy the same positon as an auxiliary in a sentence, but they are different because modals have a meaning and auxiliaries don't.

Example:

Auxiliary

Do you swim? ( nadas?)

I don't swim. (No nado.)

Modals

Can you swim? Puedes nadar?
Will you swim? Nadarás?
Should you swim? Deberias nadar?
I can't swim No puedo nadar.
I won't swim. No nadaré.
You shouldn't swim. No deberias nadar.

Modals are very difficult for students because one modal can be in the present, past or future with different meaning:
Example:
I could swim when I was six years old. (Capacity or ability in the past)
Could you open the window, please? ( A request in the present )
I'm not sure, but he could come tomorrow: (A future probability)

Here is a compendium of the different ways in which Modals can be used:

CAN
1.- Present ability = be able to
- I can swim well = I am able to swim well
- Joyce can speak several languages = Joyce is able to..

2.- Permission
- Can I use your phone?
- Can I leave early today?

3.- Request
- Can you help me?
- Can you do something for me?

4.- If Clauses (1st. Case)
- He can go if he wants
- I'll help you if I can

5.- Present and future probability.
- Don't plant this tree near your house because this species can reach a height of 100 feet
- She can call you tonight

COULD

1.- Past ability = be able to (pod¡a)
- I could stand on my head when I was younger = I was
able to stand on my head when I was younger.
- They could go to the beach when they lived there = they
were able to go to the beach when they lived there.

2.- Permission (podr¡a)
- Could I talk to you?
- Could I see you later?

3.- Request (podr¡a)
- Could you give me a hand?
- Could you do me a favor?

4.- If Clauses (2nd Case)
- I could do it if I had time.
- He would go if he could.

5.- Past opportunity (could+have+past participle)
- She could have won the race,but she didn't want to take
part.

6.- If Clauses (3Rd. Case)
- I could have bought it if I had gotten the money.

BE ABLE TO replaces CAN and COULD when these can't be used.

1.- After prepositions.
- I'll be glad to be able to help you (poder).

2.- Ability in the present perfect.
- He has been able to get a good job ( ha podido).

3.- Future ability.
- We will be able to swim well soon (podremos).

4.- Past fulfillment.
- They were able to escape from prison (pudieron).


WILL

1.- Future promise
- I will help you. Don't worry.
- My son will pick you up

2.- Future determination
- I will pass this course
- We will get the scholarship

3.- Simple future (only with going to) (Certainty)
- We are going to have a test next week.

4.- If clauses (1st. case)
- She will go out if her father lends her his car.

5.- Request
- Will you lend me some money?

6.- Negative / refusal in the present.
-My car won't start.
-This key won't turn.

WOULD

1.- Future when said in the past. (Reported speech)
-"I will come next week"......He said he would come next week

2.- Request
- Would you close the door?

3.- If clauses (2nd. case)
- I would quit this job if I had enough money.

4.- If clauses (3rd. case)
-They would have done it if they had wanted to.


5.- Negative / refusal in the past.
I asked my brother to lend me some moeny, but he wouldn't.
- They tried to talk to her, but she woulnd't listen.

MAY - MIGHT

1.- Present and future possibility
-He may (might) call you tonight

2.- Past possibility
- she may (might) have gone out last night.

3.- Permission
- May I go to the bathroom?
- May I ask you something?

SHALL
It is used for first person questions. It is not transalated
1.- Offer.
- shall I help you? (Te ayudo?)
yes, please (do). or No, thank you.
- What time shall I call you?
Call me at two.(Wh-questions are answered with imperatives)

2.- Suggestions or invitations.
- Shall we go out tonight?
Yes, let's do / no, let's not.

- When shall we visit her?
let's visit her tomorrow.

SHOULD

1.-Unfulfilled obligation in the present or future = ought to
-I should do my homework tonight, but I'll go out instead.
I ought to do my homework tonight, but I'll go out instead.

- You should be doing your homework.
You ought to be doing your homework.

2.- Advisability = ought to.
- You look sick. You should see the doctor.
You look sick . You ought to see the doctor

- Your grades aren't good. You should study more.
Your grades aren't good. You ought to study more.

3.- Offer (same as shall) (It's not translated)
- Should I close the door? (cierro la puerta?
Yes, please (do)/ No, thank you.

-Where should I put the boxes? (donde pongo las cajas?)
Put them on the floor.

4.- Suggestions or invitations (same as shall).
- Should we watch TV.? (Vemos TV?)
Yes, let's do/No, let's not.
5.- Unfulfilled obligation in the past (ought to+have+past
participle).
- I should (ought to) have studied last night, but I went out
instead.
- He should (ought to) have come earlier

MUST

1.-Obligation = have to (necessity)
- He must do his homework = He has to do his homework
- They must go home now = They have to go home now.

2.- Present deduction.
- She doesn't look so young. She must be around 60.
- He is wearing a white uniform. He must be a doctor.

3.- Past deduction. (Must+have+past participle)
- She arrived at the office late. She must have gotten up
late.
- He looks happy. He must have won the game.


WOULD RATHER

1.- Preference
- I'd rather stay at home than go out.
- We'd rather not watch TV.

HAD BETTER

1.- Advisability.
- You'd better go to Aruba on your next vacation.
- You'd better not make any more mistakes.

WOULD LIKE

1.- Desire (Can be followed by an infinitive or noun).
- I'd like to smoke
- We'd like some ice cream.

MSR.