SIMPLE MODAL
VERBS
General Characteristics
They are invariable: they have the same form for all the persons.
They don't need DO/DOES for the negative or interrogative.
They are always followed by an infinitive WITHOUT to.
Exceptions: Be able to and have to
BE ABLE TO
CAN
It has the same meaning as CAN, but as it
ABILITY (Saber): I can play the piano.
can only be used in Present Simple, BE
REQUEST: Can I open the window?
ABLE TO is used for the rest of the tenses.
POSSIBILITY: You can buy the tickets
I haven't been able to repair the fridge.
on the internet.
Will you be able to attend the meeting?
CAN'T COULD
PAST ABILITY: I could run very fast
INABILITY: I can't play the violin
when I was a child.
PROHIBITION: You can't talk during
POLITE REQUEST: Could you give
the meeting.
me a lift?
DISBELIEF OR DEDUCTION: That
POLITE SUGGESTION: You could
can't be Nick. He's in France.
invite me for a drink.
POSSIBILITY: I could learn Italian in
my free time (PODRÍA)
MAY SHOULD/
POSSIBILITY: It may rain (puede OUGHT TO
que)
POLITE REQUEST: May I go, Sir? ADVICE, OPINION: You should/
ought to see a doctor if you can't see
MIGHT well.
POSSIBILITY: It might rain (puede que) OUGHT TO is hardly used in the
negative or interrogative.
MUST
OBLIGATION & STRONG NECESSITY: it's used when the obligation comes from the
speaker or the authority that wrote the sentence.
I must phone my dad. It's his birthday.
Teacher: You must copy everything I say.
STRONG BELIEF or LOGICAL DEDUCTION: She got really good marks. She must be
very happy.
SIMPLE MODAL
VERBS
General Characteristics
They are invariable: they have the same form for all the persons.
They don't need DO/DOES for the negative or interrogative.
They are always followed by an infinitive WITHOUT to.
Exceptions: Be able to and have to
HAVE TO
MUSTN'T
OBLIGATION & STRONG NECESSITY: the
PROHIBITION: You mustn't talk on the
obligation in this case comes from outside
phone during the concert.
the speaker.
We have to wear a uniform.
Must only has Present Simple, the other
tenses are formed with HAVE TO: Did you
have to go by bike? (Past Simple) I'll have
to do it again (Future Simple)
DON'T HAVE TO NEED TO
NECESSITY OR OBLIGATION: I need
LACK OF OBLIGATION/ NECESSITY: It's
to find a job.
Saturday. I don't have to go to school.
Mary is at home, she doesn't have to go
to work today.
WOULD
NEEDN'T
FORMAL REQUEST: Would you stop
LACK OF OBLIGATION/ NECESSITY: making so much noise?
It's Saturday. You needn't go to OFFER: Would you like to come to
school. the party?
MODAL PERFECTS
General Characteristics
They always refer to the PAST, that's why you must pay attention
to the CONTEXT.
FORM: S + MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
You should have studied more: Deberías haber estudiado más.
COULD HAVE CAN'T/ COULDN'T
ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING IN THE
HAVE
PAST, WHICH WASN'T DONE IN THE
END:
CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T
The children were very tired. They
HAPPEN: Mary can't/ couldn't have
could have stopped to rest (but they
performed at the concert. She was sick.
didn't)
Mary no puede/ pudo haber tocado en el
Podrían haber parado a descansar
concierto. Estabe enferma.
pero no lo hicieron.
MAY/ MIGHT SHOULD/ OUGHT
HAVE TO HAVE
A GUESS ABOUT A PAST ACTION: CRITICISM OR REGRET AFTER AN
They are late. They might have EVENT:
missed the bus. I should have taken a taxi not to be late.
Debería haber cogido un taxi para no
Puede que hayan perdido el autobús. llegar tarde.
WOULD HAVE
SHOULDN'T
HAVE WILLINGNESS OR DESIRE TO DO
SOMETHING, WHICH WASN'T
CRITICISM OR REGRET AFTER AN ACTUALLY DONE:
EVENT: They would have come, but it was
We shouldn't have come by car. raining.
No deberíamos haber venido en
coche. Habrían venido, pero estaba
lloviendo.
MUST HAVE
CERTAINTY OR LOGICAL CONCLUSION ABOUT AN EVENT IN THE PAST:
It must have been exciting to perform in front of thousands of people.
Debe haber sido emocionante actuar delante de miles de personas.