Modals are help verbs,

meaning that they can not be

the main verb in a sentence.
They need another verb to
give sense of the sentence.
Indicates ability or possibility.
Affirmative: subject +
modal verb can +
verb + complement
I can speak english with my friends.
The doctor can see you at 3:00 am.
She can try to finish her projects on
time.
Negative: subject +
can + not / (can’t) +
verb + complement
We can't write them a letter.
You can't prepare your work
more carefully.
You can't stay there all
summer.
Interrogative: can +
subject + verb +
complement?
Answer short: Yes, subject + can (positive)
/ No, subject + can't (negative)

Can he lend us the money which we

need? No, he can’t
Can she be back by noon? Yes, she
can
Can you learn at least five new words
every day? No, I can’t
It is the past of can. It is also
used to ask for something,
but more politely than with
can.
Affirmative: subject +
modal verb could +
verb + complement
She could return later.
You could call her tomorrow.
You could see him
tomorrow.
Negative: subject +
could not / (couldn’t)
+ verb + complement
I couldn’t rest more.
We couldn’t send plans
tomorrow.
He couldn’t work tonight.
Interrogative: could + subject
+ verb +complement?
Answer short: Yes, subject + could
(positive) / No, subject + couldn´t
(negative)
Could she take the children with
her to Houston? Yes, she could.
Could you go by plane? No, I
couldn’t.
Could you say me the hour? Yes, I
could
We use it to say that something is
possible or very likely. We use it
with the present or future. It is
also used to ask for something
but more politely than with the
could.
Affirmative: subject +
may + verb +
complement
She may take the children with
her to Houston.
He may lend us the money which
we need.
She may be back by noon.
Negative: subject +
may + not (mayn’t)+ +
verb + complement
He may not spend more time on
his homework.
We may not be in the meeting
next week.
He may not feel better later.
Interrogative: may +
subject + verb +
complement?
May she return later?
May you learn at least five
new words every day?
May she be back by noon?
It's May's past. It is
also used to express
an eventuality but
more likely.
Affirmative: subject +
might + verb +
complement
You might call her
tomorrow.
You might see her tomorrow.
They might help you with
your work.
Negative: subject +
might not / mightn't +
verb + complement
I mightn’t rest more.
We mightn’t write them a
letter.
You mightn’t stay there all
summer.
Interrogative: might
+ subject + verb +
complement?
Might you go home?
Might I rest more?
Might I work tonight?
 Would like

It is used in general for conditional

sentences.

We also use it for predictions, offers

and to ask for something politely.
Affirmative: subject +
would + verb +
complement
I’d like to play tennis on Sundays.
If you come with that mask,
John would start crying.
I’d never go to that city.
Negative: subject +
would not / wouldn't
+ verbo +complement
I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark
place
If I were you, I wouldn’t go out with
him.
If you didn’t have so much work, you
wouldn’t be so stressed.
Interrogative: would
+ subject + verb +
complement?
 Answer short: Yes, subject +
would (positive) / No, subject
+ wouldn't (negative)

Would you do me a favor? Yes, I

would.
Wouldn't we be in danger? No, we
wouldn’t.
Would Jenny buy a fountain for her
garden? Yes, she would.