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Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document provides an overview of modal verbs including Can, Must, Should, Have to, Might, May, and Ought to, detailing their structure and usage. It explains how to form affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences with these verbs, along with examples for each. Additionally, it highlights the specific contexts in which each modal verb is applied, such as ability, obligation, recommendation, and possibility.

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7 views3 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document provides an overview of modal verbs including Can, Must, Should, Have to, Might, May, and Ought to, detailing their structure and usage. It explains how to form affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences with these verbs, along with examples for each. Additionally, it highlights the specific contexts in which each modal verb is applied, such as ability, obligation, recommendation, and possibility.

Uploaded by

lizeth
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

… Modal Verbs …

Can / Must / Should / Have to / Might and May /


Ought to
STRUCTURE:
All verbs have the same structure and they don’t use TO before the
infinitive verb
+
Subject + modal verb + infinitive verb + complement + .
-
Subject + modal verb + NOT + infinitive verb + complement + .
Contracted for
Mustn’t / Can’t / Couldn’t / Shouldn’t, but with Have to you need
an auxiliary Don’t-Doesn’t if your sentences are in Present or Didn’t if is
in Past Simple
?
Modal verb + Subject + infinitive verb + complement + ?
? WH-Question
WH + modal verb + Subject + infinitive verb + complement + ?

USED:
CAN: it is used to show things that you can do because you have the
knowledge, ability to do it, and in negation form it is used to prohibition
She can swim in the swim pool.
Here anyone can’t smoke
COULD: Past form of can, and it used to express that something is
possible or the probability that something will happen
It could be nice.
You couldn’t travel tomorrow.
MUST: it is used for obligations and rules and instructions written
You must submit your proposal by noon on July 12th.
He mustn’t use a calculator during the exam.
SHOULD: You remember this modal verb, it is used for recommendations
and suggestions, and in past shows retreats
We should do more exercise
You shouldn’t spend so much money.
I should have studied more for my exam.
HAVE TO: it is used to show a duty for an external force, it can
traduce as DEBER/ TENER QUE.
We have to arrive early. / He has to arrive early.
You don’t have to eat that if you don’t like it. / She doesn’t have
to eat that if she doesn’t like it.
They didn’t have to leave the house early to catch the bus.
Do you have to work on Saturday? / Does he have to work on
Saturday?
MIGHT AND MAY: They are two other modal verbs that we use
to talk about something that could or could happen, but of which we are
not sure.
Jack may come to eat with us.
I might call you tomorrow.
It is use these two manners to express possibility, as in the examples we
have just seen, but we can also use them to ask for something or make
any kind of request in a kind and respectful way.
May I have a pizza?
Might I interrupt you, boss?
OUGHT TO: It is a little used auxiliary verb, since it is very formal,
but it has a peculiarity: it usually appears in all exams and tests in English.
You ought to rest a little more
My mother ought not to spend so much money
What kind of knowledge ought he have?

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