Modal Verbs M1 2011

							1º ano (2011)
        A modal verb differs from other verbs because of
  these characteristics:
• they are always together with a second verb: can play /
  must go / should study…;
• the modal and the second verb are not separated by
  “to”;
 the second verb is neutralized by the modal: no –ed,
  no –s, no –ing…;
 the modal verb itself is used to make questions: no do,
  no does, no did.
CAN:
request / permission / present ability

 Can you do me a favor? / Can you help me, please?
 You can drink some water. / We can kiss on the cheek
  in our country.
 I can speak Spanish and English. / My young sister
  can go sky diving.
             Negative form: cannot or can’t.
COULD:
request / past ability


 Could you do me a favor? / Could you help me,
  please?
 I could windsurf when I was a child, but not anymore.
  / I could speak English fluently when I was a kid.

         Negative form: could not or couldn’t.
MAY / MIGHT:
possibility

 My daddy may divorce from my mom. /
 I invited many people to my party, but only some may
 come.

         Negative form: may not / might not.
SHOULD:
advice (recommendation)

 You should look for a private teacher if you have
 problems in Physics. / You should always be polite
 with the old.

        Negative form: should not or shouldn’t.
MUST:
obligation (necessity)

 I will have a job interview next week; I must be
 prepared for it. / As a student, you must do your
 homework; and as a kid, you must respect your
 parents.

              Negative form: must not.
MUSTN’T:
prohibition.


 People mustn’t smoke in elevators. / You mustn’t step
 on some flowerbeds. / You mustn’t talk during the
 entrance exam.