The modal verbs include can, must, may,

might, will, would, should have to and

ought to. They are used with other verbs
to express ability, obligation, possibility,
and so on.

Could expresses general ability in the past.

Was/Were able to express ability in a

particular situation in past.
Might, may and could are more formal than
can when used for asking for permission.
Would and could are more formal than will
and can when used for making request.
Had better is stronger than should and
ought to.
Must expresses obligation coming from how
the speaker fells, while have to expresses
obligation coming from external factors.

She can study english

Ella pude estudiar ingls

They can learn french

Ellos pueden aprender francs

Can Yulissa speak english?

Puede Yulissa hablar ingls?

German cant work in the factory

German no puede trabajar en la fabrica

WH Questions
WH +

Modal +

sujeto

verbo principal

When can they come?

Cuando pueden venir?

How could he work here?

Cmo podra trabajar l aqu ?

CAN

(poder, saber)

Ability in the present or future.

Alejandra can help you.

Alejandra puede ayudarte.

Wild animals can be dangerous.

Los animales salvajes pueden ser peligrosos.

Eating out can be expensive.

Comer fuera puede ser costoso.

SHOULD & OUGHT TO

(debera)
To ask for and give advice.

To say what is generally right or wrong.

You should / ought to call your mother.

Debes llamar a tu mam.

I should / ought to go home now.

Ya debo irme a casa.

WOULD (terminacin ra)

Polite/Formal. The

modal: would + like to.

would you like to dance with me.?

Te gustara bailar conmigo.?

We would like to study french.

Nos gustara estudiar francs.

WOULD RATHER
(preferira)
Present/ Future

I would rather dance with you than

with him

Preferira bailar contigo que con

COULD

(pudo, podra, poda)

Expresses general ability in the past.

I could have told you that.
Podra haberte dicho eso.
It could have been worse.

Podra haber sido un worse.

When I was younger, I could run very fast.

Cuando era ms jven, poda correr muy rpido

MAY & MIGHT

(poder,

podra)
Polite or Formal in future.
Imay / mightgo to the park, or Imay / mightstay

home.
Puede que vaya al parque, o quizs me quede en casa.
Thismay / mightbe a bad idea.

Tal vez es una mala idea.

Itmay / mightrain tonight.

Quizs llueva esta noche.

MUST (deber)
Internal obligation: the speaker feels that he or
someone else is obliged to do something.
You must see this movie.

Tienen que ver esta pelcula.

Dylan must see a doctor immediately.

Dylan debe ver un mdico inmediatamente.

HAVE TO (tener que)

External obligation: it comes from external
factors, not from the speakers opinion or
feelings.
I have to do the homework

Tengo que hacer la tarea

We dont have to study next week

No tenemos que estudiar la prxima semana

SHALL & WILL

(ser )

Informal in future.
I will / shall close the door for you.

Cerrar la puerta por ti.

Yessica will / shall meet us at the train station.

Yessica nos encontrar en la estacin de tren.

HAD BETTER

(sera mejor

que)
To give strong advice, it often expresses a threat
or warning and is stronger than should/ought to.
You had better be here
Ser mejor que estes aqu
You had better see a doctor, if you dont feel

good
Ser mejor que veas al doctor, si no te sientes

bien

Modal verbs can be confusing for many

students. This quick guide will help you
understand the basics of modal verbs.