MODAL VERBS

Juan Andre Ramirez Teruya

Niccolo Puccio

Diego Lozano

WHAT ARE THEY?

Verbs that don’t follow the same

grammatical rules as others

verbs and that can also be used

to express obligation, permission,

willingness, possibility, etc.

WHICH ARE THEY?

Can Could

May Might

Shall Should

Will Would

Must Ought to

Need to Have to

Be able to

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY?

These verbs dont use “-s” in the

third person present simple.

He cans do it. INCORRECT

He can do it. CORRECT

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY?

They dont need “do” or “does” to form

a negative verb (Except “have to”).

I don´t will go to sleep yet.

INCORRECT

I won´t go to sleep yet. CORRECT

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY?

Some of them can´t be used in the future tense or

past tense. Instead, we use other words for similar

meanings.

I will can go to the reunion. INCORRECT

I will be able to go to the reunion. CORRECT

I musted study more. INCORRECT

I had to study more. CORRECT

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY?

They don´t use “to” in the infinitive

(Except “need to”, “have to” “ought to”…)

To may. INCORRECT

To should. INCORRECT

TO EXPRESS ABILITY

“Be able to”, “can” and “could”.

I can go for a ride.

He could do a banana split.

We were able to prepare a meal by

ourselves.

TO EXPRESS PERMISSION

“Can” and “could”. “Could” is used

for the past in these cases.

I can leave the school is I wish.

They couldn´t stay at home yesterday.

TO EXPRESS OBLIGATION

“Must”, “need to” and “have to”

I must clean my room every weekend.

She needs to take a break, now.

You have to focus or you will fail.

TO EXPRESS POSSIBILITY

“May”, “might”, “could”, “should”, “ought to”

and “would”.

Our project may be approved.

I ought to eat more healthy food.

This could be one of my best works.

THAT´S ALL FOR MODAL VERBS!