The modal verbs, in English, they are a type of auxiliary verbs.
The auxiliary verbs are those that are used together with other verbs to form questions, negations, compound tenses or passive forms of verbs.
The auxiliary verbs that are not modal verbs are "be", "do", "have". These verbs can function as auxiliary but also main verb of the sentence since they mean an action: be / ser or estar; do / do; have / have. For example:
- Do as an auxiliary verb: I do not like this trousers. / I don't like these pants.
- Do as main verb: I do new things every day. / I do new things every day.
Modal verbs are the auxiliary verbs that indicate the way the verb is performed. Although they are also used to form negations and questions, they give a specific meaning to the phrase, so they are also used in affirmations.
Unlike other auxiliaries, they cannot be used without a main verb, as they do not mean an action by themselves.
The main verb
When they are used in the present simple, the main verb is not conjugated, that is, it is used in the infinitive without "to".
For example:
- She plays the piano. / She plays the piano.
- She can play the piano. / She can play the piano.
Sentence structure
Affirmative:
Subject + modal verb + main verb (infinitive without "to")
Negative:
Subject + modal verb + not + main verb (infinitive without "to")
Question:
Modal verb + subject + main verb (infinitive without "to")
Dog
It indicates the possibility of performing an action, that is, the possibility and / or ability.
- I can pass the test. / He can pass the exam.
- Can we take this road? / Can we take that road?
- You can't ask him that. / You can't ask him that.
Could
It is the past and participle form of “can”. It is also used as a polite way to ask for something.
- Could you fix the door? / Could you repair the door?
- When I was young I could run very fast. / When I was young I could run very fast.
- It was so windy we couldn’t even get out of the house safely. / It was so windy that we couldn't even get out of the house safely.
- If he lends us his car, we could go to the concert. / If you lend us your car, we could go to the concert.
Might
It expresses the possibility of something happening.
- We might find the solution. / We may find the solution.
- They might not like it. / They may not like it.
- He might be the best candidate for the position. / He could be the best candidate for the position.
- I might get a haircut tomorrow. / Maybe I'll cut my hair tomorrow.
- They might have made the right decision. / They may have made the right decision.
may
It expresses the possibility that something will happen, but with a higher probability than in "might".
- We may have to pay an extra fee. / We may have to pay an extra fee.
- They may not recognize you after all this time. / They may not recognize you after so long.
- If you try it you may like it. / If you try it, you might like it.
It is also used to ask or give permission.
- May I open the window? / I can open the window?
- You may start the test now. / They can start the exam now.
Could, might and may can be translated in similar ways, but their meaning has different nuances in English.
Will
It is used to form the future tense.
- Will you buy the red dress? / Will you buy the red dress?
- He will not accept the offer. / He won't accept the offer.
- They will not succeed without our help. / They will not be successful without our help.
- You will like the hotel. / You will like the hotel.
Shall
It is a variant of "will", that is, an alternative to shape the future. It is most used in the UK. It is also used to offer to do something.
- We shall meet again soon. / We will meet again soon.
- Shall I take grandma home? / Do I take Grandma to her house?
- You shall not make that mistake. / You will not make that mistake.
Should
It indicates that a certain action should be carried out, that is, the convenience or obligation. It can also be used to signal the high possibility of something happening. It can be translated as "should".
- Should I leave the door open? / Should I leave the door open?
- You should watch this movie. / You should see this movie.
- The car should work fine now. / The car should work fine now.
- He shouldn't believe everything he hears. / You shouldn't believe everything you hear.
Ought to
It has the same meaning as should, as a convenience or obligation.
- The children ought to eat vegetables. / Children should eat vegetables.
- We ought to drive slowly. / We should drive slowly.
Must
It signals the need to carry out an action. It can also be used to indicate a high possibility of something happening. It can be translated as "must"
- He must be crazy to take the plane with this weather. / You must be crazy to take the plane in this weather.
- You must answer every question. / You must answer all the questions.
- Must I use a pen? / Should I use a pen?
- You must not forget these instructions. / You must not forget these instructions.
Would
It is used to signal the conditional mode.
- If he asked me out, I would accept. / If he asked me out, I would accept.
- If we had money, we would share it with the rest of the family. / If we had money we would share it with the rest of the family.
- He would not talk like that to a woman. / He wouldn't talk to a woman like that.
- Would you believe him if he told you he didn’t cheat in the exam? / Would you believe him if he told you he didn't cheat on the exam?
Also to make offers and orders.
- Would you like some tea? / Would you like some tea?
- I would like a glass of water, please. / I would like some water, please.
Andrea is a language teacher, and on her Instagram account she offers private lessons by video call so that you can learn to speak English.
