VERBOS MODALES (Modal verbs)

Los verbos modales o verbos auxiliares modales son verbos irregulares que presentan las
siguientes características:

a- Se utilizan para indicar una modalidad, es decir que le permiten al hablante expresar
obligación, certeza, habilidad, sugerencia, permiso, conclusión lógica, intencionalidad, etc.
b- Nunca cambian su forma. Por lo tanto no se les agrega las terminaciones “s”, “ed”, “ing”,
etc.
c- Siempre van seguidos de un verbo en infinitivo sin TO.

Los verbos modales en inglés son:

Must should ought to can could

may Might will would

Modal Verb Expressing Example

Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.

must logical conclusion / He must be very tired. He's been working all day long.
Certainty

Prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.

must not

Ability I can swim.

Permission Can I use your phone please?

can

Possibility Smoking can cause cancer.

ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.

polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?

could

Possibility It could rain tomorrow!

Permission May I use your phone please?

may
 possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!

polite permission Might I suggest an idea?

might possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year.

50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible

headache.
Advice You should / ought to revise your lessons
should ought to

logical conclusion He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working

all day long.

ACTIVITIES:

A. Circle the correct option:

1. You ………….go to the doctor if you don´t feel well.

a. SHOULD b. MAY
2. He …………be very tired. He couldn´t sleep all night.
a. MUST b. CAN
3. I ………speak English very well.
a. SHOULDN´T b. CAN´T
4. You ………….wear protective clothes in this area.
a. MIGHT b. MUST
5. ………I go to the toilet, please?
a. MAY b. MUST
6. Take an umbrella with you. It………rain later.
a. COULD b. OUGHT TO.
7. When I was a child, I …….understand German.
a. CAN b. COULD
8. Mark didn´t approve English. He ……..be angry because he studied a lot.
a. MUST b, CAN

B. Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one. Use the word
in brackets. Use no more than five words:

1. I have the permission to go to the party.( CAN)

I ………………………………………..to the party.
2. Do I have your permission to open the window? ( MAY)
……………………………………………………………the window?

3. It is forbidden to smoke in this area. ( You)

………………………………………………….in this area.

4. There is a possibility that all of my students approve English. ( MAY)

All …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….English.

5. I think that the best thing to do is to speak to your dad frankly. ( SHOULD)
You ………………………………………………………….your dad frankly.