Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs.

This means they are not conjugated with grammatical persons, for
what:

They do not have an infinitive (for example, to can does not exist)
They do not have a gerund (for example, there is no mighting)
They do not have a participle (for example, willed does not exist)

A modal verb can express ability, necessity, condition, or 'modality' (yes, complex ideas!), hence its
The meaning depends on the context of the sentence and the verbs with which they are conjugated.

Modal verbs:
Can:
We translate the modal verb can as 'to be able to'. It expresses ability, possibility, capacity.
Sentences:
(+)
I can speak Spanish.
The doctor can see you tomorrow.
She can run really fast.
I can teach you.
Maria can help you.

(-)
I can't go to the park.
He can't go with you.
I can't make it to your party.
She can't come this weekend.
Juan can't eat peanuts.

(?)
Can you see me?
Can she play the drums?
Can you write the report for me, please?
Can you help me?
Can you see me?

Could:
The modal verb could is the past tense of can and also means possibility. It is more formal to use it to make
any request.
Sentences:
(+)
He could lend me some money.
You could use my chair
You could get up early
I could help you if you want
Grandpa could run fast when he was young.

(-)
She couldn’t come to the party.
She couldn’t ride a horse.
His brother couldn’t run very fast.
Her father couldn’t cook well.
Her mother couldn’t drive when she was 18.

(?)
Could you close the windows, please?
Could Peter speak English with his friends?
Americans?)
Could you open the door, please?
Could I have a word with you, please?
Could you call me later, please?

May:
The modal verb may expresses possibility or probability and requests.
Sentences:
(+)
We may go to the beach this summer.
He may be proud of her
She may pass the test
We may have to pay an extra fee.
If you try it, you may like it.
He might change his mind.

(-)
She may not pass the English test.
It may not snow tomorrow.
They may not publish our book
He may not like it.
He may not come tonight.

(?)
May I turn on the lights?
May I give you an advice?
May I go to the bathroom?
May I make a suggestion?
May I come in?

Might:
Very similar to the modal verb may, the modal verb might is used when talking about the possibility of an action.
it will happen in the future.
Sentences:
(+)
His father might come to the wedding.
My sister might come home for my birthday.
They might arrive home late.
He could be the best candidate for the position.
We might find the solution.

(-)
They might not like it.
This phone might not work, it’s too old.
You might not arrive on time.
I might not like the song
You might not like my new car.

(?)
Might I buy you a drink?
Might I speak to you for a moment?
Might I find him tomorrow?
Might I borrow that book when you're done?
Might I ask you something?
Will:
The modal verb will expresses decisions made at the moment of speaking and also expresses the intention to carry out.
something. Its negative form is will not or won’t. It is widely used as an auxiliary verb to form the future tense of
the verbs.
Sentences:
(+)
She will answer my call.
He will call me back.
They will learn Japanese.
I think I’ll have the lasagne, please.
You will like the hotel.

(-)
They won’t know where to go.
He won’t take the bus with us.
I won’t go with you because I have a lot of work
She won't play the piano.
It will not work

(?)
Will you come to visit me?
Will you help me finish this exercise?
Will you buy the red dress?
Will she write a complaint?
Will you cover my expenses?

Would:
The modal verb would is used to ask questions politely. It also expresses repeated actions in the
past.
Sentences:
(+)
I would like a glass of water, please.
He would visit his sister every weekend.
They would play soccer every Saturday.
She would never go to that place.
He would ride his own horse every summer.

(-)
I wouldn’t go
We wouldn’t care
It wouldn’t be fair.
It wouldn’t be possible without you
It wouldn’t matter.

(?)
Would you like to play with me?
Would you like some water?
Would you be my Valentine?
Would you like to taste it?
Would you like to go running?

Must:
Must is used to refer to needs or commitments, although it can also express a supposition.
Sentences:
(+)
She must return early today.
You must stop smoking.
She must help her father-in-law.
He must be studying.
They must be here at 7 a.m.

(-)
He must not return late
Students mustn’t smoke at school.
He mustn’t spend so many hours in front of the computer.
You must not step on the grass.
She mustn’t work tonight.

(?)
Must I follow the instructions?
Must I go to the dentist today?
Must they come for breakfast?
Must I use a pen?
Must she take the children with her to Houston?

Shall:
The modal verb shall means the same as will, which is why it is rarely used in the United States; however
it is still used in the United Kingdom.
Sentences:
(+)
We shall go to the theater.
2. The authorities shall solve this situation. (Las autoridades deben resolver esta situación.)
We should ask first.
We shall go on holidays to England but you will go to Scotland.
You will go to Scotland.
I shall pick you up at the airport.

(-)
I should not speak so loudly.
She shall not enter!
You shall not make that mistake.
Students shall not go beyond the school grounds during breaks.
the school during recesses.
I shall not dance

(?)
Shall we go now?
I’m worried because she hasn’t replied. Should I call her?
Shall I call her?
Don’t go out like that because it’s raining. Shall I lend you an umbrella?
Shall I lend you an umbrella?
Shall we go now? Because it’s getting late.
Shall we start the meeting? We have a lot of work.

Should:
The modal verb should is equivalent to the verb 'deber' in Spanish and is used to express an obligation or duty or,
less frequently, a possibility.
Sentences:
(+)
You should listen to your father.
I should be there at noon.
John should have taken that job.
You should buy that jacket but I think you should do it in the sales.
what you should do during the sales.)
The order should arrive tomorrow morning so stay at home until lunchtime.
the morning, so stay home until lunchtime.)

(-)
You shouldn't eat so many sweets if you want to lose weight.
weight.)
My flight shouldn't be delayed so it will arrive on time.
Mary shouldn't have bought that house because she won't be able to afford it.
that house, because he won't be able to pay for it.
You shouldn’t eat junk food.
He should not believe everything he hears.

(?)
Should I study for the exam?
Should we take a rest?
Should I leave the door open?
Should I eat more?
Should I do it now?

Ought to:
The modal verb ought to has a very similar use to should, but it is used in more formal contexts and we find it
especially in writing. It can express both a recommendation to do something, regret, obligation, among others.
other things.
Sentences:
(+)
Children ought to be brought up in a healthy environment.
She ought to be sorry for what she did.
She ought to go with her sister.
I ought to go before the sunset
Our boss has said that we should arrive on time to work this week so don't be late.
We must arrive at work on time this week, so don't be late.

(-)
You ought not to have been rude.
You shouldn't have said that.
3. Shouldn't we have remained silent in the face of that injustice?
injustice.
He shouldn't save some money each week.
The kids shouldn't wear their jackets.

(?)
Why do you insist on repeating the same mistake? You ought to know better by now.
the same mistake? You should be more aware of it by now.)
Ought I to intervene?
Should you make that sacrifice?
4. Ought we to build a better future?
Ought she to do it herself?
Write a short text using modal verbs:

When I was a little boy, I couldn't go out like my other friends. My mom always used to tell me 'you shouldn't be
Outside with those kids, you could be doing something more productive instead. I used to think, 'If you just would...'
let me live my life..." or "She may let me play with them one day " but I never said a word. When I was 15, my mom
died and I know I shouldn't take that as a pretext for what I did with my life. I remember that I started smoking and
drinking (like my other friends) and when I was 17 I became addicted to heroin.
Then my friends started telling me 'You ought to stop partying all day, you look like crap' But I never listened to.
them, I knew I could die but I didn't really care. One day, I went to a party with my girlfriend, she loved me
although I didn't deserve that, and I remember I got really drunk there. She told me I couldn't even stay still, so she
would drive me back home. I told her "I'm ok, I can drive, you need to relax" and she looked really nervous but she
didn't say a word. When I was driving, something inside my head told me 'You shouldn't be driving... You could
have an accident and you're with your girlfriend... You ought to stop at the side of the freeway and let her drive" But
once again, I didn't listen. I'm not sure of what happened next. I just remember I got knocked out and my head was
bleeding so bad... But I didn't worry about myself, I started to call my girlfriend, I didn't know where she was... She
whispered "I'm here... I'm ok" and when I could stand up, I followed her voice and found her. She looked really bad,
that's when I realised I had to change... I started to pray for her, She just told me "You need to change, You can't live
like this anymore... I might die, I think I will, but you'll be fine... Just take care and would you do me a favor?
didn't say a word... She whispered once again "Things could have been better, you know? I should have known that
you would never change" And she closed her eyes. I was speechless, I couldn't believe she was dead. Then the
ambulance arrived and I wish I would have died as well. When I got home, I thought 'man, look what you've done...'
She's dead because of you, you must change, you have to do better with your life, you can't live like this, you'll end.
up worse than your mom or her" And this time, I did listen to that voice. I started college and I'll become a lawyer
soon. I miss my girlfriend so much, but I know if she could say something now, she probably would say "I'm proud"
of you, you dared to change and your mom would be proud of you as well, we might be together some day, but for
Now, do the best you can.