Fernando Rodriguez Cantos

English 11/3/24

MODA
L VER
BS
I n d e x
• Modal Verbs: Teory
• Uses of Modal Verbs +
Example
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are verbs that want to
express the way or manner in which
the action occurs that is represented by
the main verb of the sentence. The list
of these modal verbs is as follows:

can, could, may, might, might, must,

need not, shall, will, should, ought to.
 Uses for Modal
Modal verbs have certain uses to be applied in one way or another.
These uses are: Verbs
Ability Request,
Permission
Possibility
Inability
Prohibition
Disbelief,deduction
Past Ability
Polite Request
Advice, Opinion Necessity,
Obligation
 ABILITY
Can, be able to, could Uses for
Ability in the uses of modal verbs means that it Modal Verbs
has the ability to achieve the action of the verb
stated in the sentence.
Sentence:

Alex can do this exercise without any problems, he has

already done many exercises of this style.
 REQUEST
Would, can, will Uses for
Request in modal verbs means that we have asked Modal Verbs
for something in order to be able to do the verb.

Sentence:

Could we go to the sports hall later to watch the handball

match?
 PERMISSION
May, can, might,would Uses for
Permission in modal verbs means a permission that weModa
want to convey to someone by means of the verb we
l Ve r bs
have in the sentence.
Sentence:

May I order a chocolate milk from the bar next?

 POSSIBILITY
Can, be able to, could, may, Uses for
might
Possibility in modal verbs is very important to know.
It means that we have a real possibility to perform Modal Verbs
the action described by the main verb of the
sentence.
Sentence:

Maria is able to run a marathon in Madrid next weekend.

 INABILITYCan’t Uses for
Inability to use modal verbs means that the main
verb of the sentence cannot be performed because Modal Verbs
we do not have a corresponding ability.
Sentence:

Fernando can't study if people are not calm.

 PROHIBITION
Can’t, mustn’t Uses for
The prohibition in modal verbs means that we
cannot perform the action that the main verb of the Modal Verbs
sentence puts.
Sentence:

People mustn't litter on the streets.

 DISBELIEF Can’t, couldn’t Uses for
Disbelief in modal verbs means that it does not agree
with the main verb. Modal Verbs

Sentence:

I couldn't do what I wanted to do with the coach.

 DEDUCTION
Can’t, must, might, may, Uses for
Deduction in modalshould
verbs means that sense you have Modal Verbs
without knowing anything to know things about the
main verb. It can be positive or negative.
Sentence:

+: He should be a friend of the president. I always see him

in the VIP area of the stadium.

-: He can't be smart. He doesn't get good grades and he

doesn't attend classes.
 PAST ABILITY
Could, couldn’t Uses for
The past ability in modal verbs means that you were Modal Verbs
previously able to do that action determined by the
main verb.
Sentence:

I could do a Cooper test, when I was active.

 POLITE Could, would, may Uses for
TheREQUEST
polite request in modal verbs means that we use Modal Verbs
a more formal way of expressing ourselves towards
the person with the main verb in the sentence.
Sentence:

Would it be possible to postpone this afternoon's meeting?

 POLITE Should, could, might Uses for
Polite suggestion in modal verbs means that we want
SUGGESTION Modal Verbs
to convey to that person by the sentence next to the
main verb a suggestion for the main verb.
Sentence:

You should come with Ivan to Pol's 18th birthday party.

 ADVICE,OPINIO Should, ought to Uses for
Advice
N and opinions in modal verbs mean that we Modal Verbs
translate an opinion or advice into the sentence by
means of the main verb.
Sentence:

Pedro Sanchez should act against those who want to break

up the country.
 NECESSITY
Need to, have to, must Uses for
Necessity in modal verbs means that we need Modal Verbs
something for the main verb of the sentence.

Sentence:

He needs a doctor because of his heavy blow in the yard.

 OBLIGATION
Need to, have to, must Uses for
Obligation in modal verbs means that we have to Modal Verbs
oblige to do something for the main verb of the
sentence.
Sentence:

They have to be united to face the end of the season.

 STRONG BELIEF
Must Uses for
Strong belief in modal verbs means that there is a Modal Verbs
very clear focus.

Sentence:

You have been elected to be the class delegate. You must be

very proud.
 Uses for
LACK OF
Don’t have to/don’t need to,
OBLIGATION/NECESSITY Modal Verbs
needn’t
Lack of obligation/necessity in modal verbs means
that there is no clear provision for the main verb.

Sentence:

You don't have to go where you are told. You have to go in

the direction of the traffic light.
 Uses for
FORMAL REQUEST
Would
Modal Verbs
Formal request in modal verbs means that it is a
request in a more correct way for the main verb.

Sentence:

Would you be more quiet, please? I'm trying to write down

the most important things.
 Uses for
OFFER Would
Modal Verbs
The offer in modal verbs means to propose
something for the main verb of the sentence.

Sentence:

Would you like to listen to a song from 20 years ago?

Thanks
YOU