Modal verbs explanation

1. MODAL VERBS
Nuria García López

2. Outline
• Can
• Could
• Must
• Mustn’t
• Should
• Have to
• Don’t have to

3. Introduction
Modal verbs express modality: permission, ability,
obligation…
There is no “s” in singular
There is no “do / does” in the question**
There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative**

4. CAN (PODER)
She can speak English
She cans speak English
She can to speak English
She can speaks English
Subject + can + verb (infinitive)

5. CAN
Subject + Cannot/ Can’t + verb (infinitive)
He can’t play the piano
Can you open the window, please?
Can + subject + verb (infinitive)?

6. COULD (PODER EN PASADO)
She could play the piano
Could I borrow a dictionary?
She couldn’t ride a bike when she was seven.
Subject + could +verb (infinitive)
Could + subject + verb (infinitive)?
Subject + could not/couldn’t + verb (infinitive)

7. MUST (DEBER)
She must study harder. (strong obligation)
Must I study tonight?
You mustn’t take photos (prohibition)
Subject + must + verb (infinitive)
Must + subject + verb (infinitive)?
Subject + mustn’t + verb (infinitive)

8. SHOULD (DEBERÍA)
You should visit London. (recommendation)
She shouldn’t go to the party.
Should I stay or should I go ?
Subject + should+ verb (infinitive)
Subject + should not/ shouldn’t + verb
(infinitive)
Should + subject + verb (infinitive)

9. HAVE TO (TENER QUE)
AFFIRMATIVE INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE
I HAVE TO + VERB INF
YOU HAVE TO + VERB INF
DO I HAVE TO +VERB INF?
DO YOU HAVE TO + VERB
INF?
I DON’T HAVE TO + VERB
INF
YOU DON’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF
HE HAS TO + VERB INF
SHE HAS TO
IT HAS TO
DOES HE HAVE TO ?
DOES SHE HAVE TO ?
DOES IT HAVE TO ?
HE DOESN’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF
SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF
WE HAVE TO + VERB INF
YOU HAVE TO + VERB INF
THEY HAVE TO + VERB
INF
DO WE HAVE TO + VERB
INF?
DO YOU HAVE TO +VERB
INF?
DO THEY HAVE TO +
VERB INF?
WE DON’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF
YOU HAVE TO + VERB INF
THEY DON’T HAVE TO +
VERB INF

10. DON’T HAVE TO MUSTN’T
You don’t have to help me.
(but you can help if you
want)
You mustn’t smoke in
restaurants.
(It is strictly forbidden)

11. ACTIVITY
Rosa is from England but she lives in Spain.(Talk
about ability)
We start school in September. (Talk about
necessity)
Peter has got a headache.(Give him some
advice)

12. ACTIVITY
She can speak English and Spanish.
We have to buy a new notebook.
He should see a doctor.

13. The End!