Modal Verbs

Romina Cariaga
Qué son los verbos modales?

 They are:
• Can Son verbos auxiliaries que
• Could proven de significado extra al
• May/ might verbo principal
• Must
• Should

• Have to = SEMI MODAL

• Doesn’t have to= SEMI MODAL
 USOS:

Se utilizan en combinación
con otros verbos para
expresar diferentes grados
de capacidad, posibilidad,
permiso, necesidad,
obligación, prohibición, etc.,
referidos al verbo principal.
Cómo usamos los modals?

S M V
Subject Verb

Example: Mary could play the piano

NO aceptan conjugación
No necesitan verbos auxiliaries para negar o
preguntar
NEGATIVAS
HAVE TO (semimodal)
Have to se usa para hablar de una obligación
impuesta.

You have to get a visa to go to the US.

He has to pay his rent tomorrow.

Negaciones con HAVE TO

Expresa que no hay obligación.
Puedes hacerlo si quieres.

I don’t have to pay the phone bill till next week.

HAVE TO : PREGUNTAS

Las preguntas se hacen con do y does.

Do I have to get a visa to go to

Australia?
Do you have to get up early?
Does he have to cook dinner?
 PROBABILITY/ ABILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATION/ OFFERS
POSSIBILITY ADVICE
CAN I can play the Can I go out
piano tonight?
CAN’T She can’t be his mum. I can’t speak Can I borrow the
She ‘s too young German car? No, I can’t.

MIGHT It might rain tomorrow

COULD It could rain tomorrow I could already Could I see your

read when I was passport please,
two sir?
MAY It may rain tomoroww May I leave the
table?
MUST She must be his sister You must leave
because they look before the clock
alike. strikes twelve.
HAVE TO I have to study
tonight.
SHALL You shall pay on Shall I help you?
Tuesday
SHOULD / You should see it.
OUGHT TO It’s excellent.

HAD BETTER You had better

sleep more.
WOULD Would you like a
drink?