MODAL VERBS

1. MODAL VERBS
 BRAYAN MANCERA TABARES
 MONICA CORTES MALAGON
 JUAN FERNANDO CAMELO

2. We use modal verbs to show if we believe
something is certain, probable or possible
(or not).
We also use modals to do things like
talking about ability, asking permission
making requests and offers, and so on.
 The modal verbs are:
can could
may might
shall should
will would
must

5. For a negative deduction, ‘can’t’ and ‘couldn’t’
are interchangable:
 She can’t / couldn’t throw trash

6. USAGE: MAY & MIGHT FOR
POSSIBILITY
 It may/might save the planet
Do not use ‘may’ if the situation is hypothetical
CONTRACTIONS
 There is no contracted form for ‘may’: mayn’t
 There is a contracted form for ‘might’: ‘mightn’t’, but
is not very common.

7. USAGE: SHOULD
 1. Expressing an opinion / Giving advice or asking for advice (present or future)
 2. Expressing an expetation
 Expressing your regret or criticising someone about a past action (should + have
done)

8. USAGE: MUST
 The word 'must' expresses a prohibition or obligation
 1. Expressing a necessity felt by the speaker to do or not to do something (present
or future)
 2. Deducing or assuming that something is true (positive sentences)

9. USAGE: HAVE TO
 1. Expressing an external obligation in all tenses (positive sentences)
 2. Removing a necessity felt by the speaker or an external obligation (negative
sentences)

10. USAGE: WILL

11. USAGE: SHALL
 1. Offering to do something with the pronoun ‘I’ in the question form
What shall it destroy the nature?
 2. Making a suggestion or asking for a suggestion
 3. Expresing a duty in formal documents and contracts

12. USAGE: WOULD
 1. Habitual action in the past (similar to ‘used to’)
 2. Alternative to ‘could you’ for making a polite request
 3. Polite expressions

13. NOTES