Modal verbs

“Modal verbs” are auxiliary verbs in English that we use to express ability, permission, possibility,
obligation or necessity. They are like tools that help us tell if something is possible, if we are allowed to do it,
or even if it is necessary.

As they are auxiliary, they can’t generally be used on their own. A modal verb can appear alone in a
sentence only if the main verb is implied because it has previously been established (in short answer, for
example).

The general characteristics of modal verbs are:

• They don’t change according to the personal pronoun; it means that they are not conjugated
differently when we use she/he/it.
• They are always accompanied by another verb in their infinitive form, but we never use “to”
between them.
• In negative sentences, we just add the "not" after the modal verb.
• In interrogative sentences, we put the modal verb in the beginning of the sentence, before the
personal pronoun.
• Modal verbs are timeless, so they don’t change according to the verbal tense.
Bellow we have some examples of modal verbs:

CAN COULD
• Means “poder” “conseguir” • Means “podia” “poderia” “conseguia”
• We use to: • We use to:
→Capacity or ability (in the present): → Capacity or ability (in the past):
- She can speak English - She could speak English when she was 5 years
- Can you understand how important this is for old.
me? - He couldn’t understand how important my job
was for me.
→ Possibility (more accurate):
- I can travel with you this weekend. → Possibility (less accurate):
- He can’t go out with us tonight because his son is - We could watch a movie tonight, what do you
sick. think?
- He could be home now.
→Permission:
- You can go to the party with your friends. → Permission:
- Can I use you cell phone? - I think I could travel with you; I just need to ask
my mom first.
→Request: - Could I eat you sandwich? I’m hungry.
- Can I talk to the manager, please?
- Can you lend me some money? →Polite request:
- Could you open the door, please?
- Could I speak with the manager, please?
 MAY MIGHT
• Means “pode” • Means “podia” “poderia”
• We use to: • We use to:
→Possibility (more concrete, something that is →Possibility (less concrete, we don’t have
likely to happen in the near future) many evidences that it will happen)
- Sarah may have the flu, she can’t stop sneezing - They might not arrive on time because of the
- She needs to work all the weekend; she may not snow storm.
travel with us. - Maybe she didn’t reply your message because
she might not be interested.
→Make a request or ask permission:
- May I come in? →Polite requests or permission
- May I ask you a question? - Might I raise a point in today’s meeting?
- Might I have a pen to sign the contract?

SHOULD WOULD
• Means “deveria” “teria que” “deve” • Means “iria”
• We use to: • We use to:
→Advices: →Possibilities:
- He shouldn’t go that way. It’s too dangerous. - I think his mother wouldn’t let him go to that
- Your cold is getting worst. You should go to the travel.
hospital. - Do you think John would like that jacket?

→ Obligation: →Ask something politely:

- We should finish this project as soon as possible. - Would you mind if I sit here?
The boss is mad at us. - I would like some coffee, please.
- You can go out with your friends, but you should
be home at 10 p.m. →Offer something:
- Would you like something to drink?
→Suggestion or recommendation: - Would you like to try the chef's suggestion?
- Should I wear that dress tonight?
- You should watch this movie. You gonna love it! →Hypothetical situations:
- Mary wouldn’t work anymore if she won the
→Expectation: lottery.
- Mark should be here at 8 o´clock. - If they were a famous band, they would make
- She should bring chocolate cake to our picnic. concerts around the world.

• It also can be used to talk about the future in

the past, as the past of “will”
- He said that he would see her at the party.
- She said she would help us with this project.
 MUST HAVE TO
• Means “tem que” “precisa” “deve” • Means “tem que”
• We use to: • We use to:
→A personal obligation (only in the present): →A general obligation:
- You can go out, but you must be at home at 10. - We have to stop at the red light.
- We must clean the house before mom gets home. - You have to send your resumé if you want to work
there.
→ In negative sentences, to show something
you must not do, a prohibition: → A past or future obligation:

- You’re too drunk! You mustn’t drive now. - He had to wash all the dishes yesterday.
- The teacher said we must not use the cell phone - She will have to go to the supermarket tomorrow.
during the test.
→In negative sentences, to show that
something is not necessary to do:
- We don’t have to work on Saturday.
- She doesn’t have to decide it now.

* The “have to” has a different construction than

other modal verbs:
- With 3º person, we use “has to”;
- In negative sentences, we use “don’t / doesn’t”;
- In interrogative sentences we use “do / does”;
- To talk about the past, we use “had to”
- To talk about the future, we use “will have to”

As we saw, the modal verbs are used to assist the main verb, changing or complementing its
meaning. These are just a few examples of how they are used in English. They play a crucial role in
communication, providing additional context and nuance to the meaning of sentences.