MODAL VERBS

MEANING TIME REFERENCE

PRESENT / FUTURE PAST

Ability Can Could

Will be able to was / were be able to

Possibility May May / might / could

Probability Might +
Could have
+
past participle

Certainty Must Must

+
have
+
past participle

Impossibility Can’t Couldn’t

+
have
+
past participle

Must (moral) Had to / Need have

Obligation Have to (imposed) +
Necessity Need past participle

Advice Should Should / ought to

Ought to +
Had better have
Must +
past participle
(remordimiento)

Request Can
Could
Would you mind
+
Verb –ing
+
?
Lack of obligation Don’t / Doesn’t have to Didn’t have to
+ +
infinitive infinitive

Permission Can
Could
May
Do you mind if
+
S+V+C+?

Offers Shall I … ?

Suggestions Let’s + V
Shall we … ?
How about + -ing … ?
Why don’t we … ?