MODAL VERBS

A - CAN:
1) Saber (habilidad en presente): I can swim
2) Poder (Capacidad en presente): I can climb that mountain

B - COULD
1) Sabía (habilidad en el pasado): I could swim when I was 5
2) Podía (capacidad en el pasado): I could climb that mountain when I was young

C - BE ABLE TO (Ser capaz de)

Se utiliza para los tiempos y formas verbales que no tiene CAN.
I will be able to come tomorrow.
I have been able to arrive on time.

D - MAY / MIGHT: PODER

1) Permiso:
May I go out? Yes, you may.
2) Posibilidad
Presente Pasada
May / Might + infinitivo May/Might have + 3ª o -ed
-Perhaps he passes the exam -Perhaps he passed the exam
He may pass the exam He may have passed the exam

E - MUST: DEBER
1) Obligación (Presente)
You must study
Para los demás tiempos verbales se utiliza "Have to"
Yesterday I had to go to the doctor.
2) Deducción o suposición
Presente Pasada
Afirmativa: Must + infinitivo Must have + 3ª o -ed
I' m sure he is English I'm sure he has won the lottery
He must be English He must have won the lottery

Negativa: Can't + infinitivo Can't have + 3ª o -ed

I'm sure he isn't English I'm sure he hasn't bought that car
He can't be English He can't have bought that car.

F - MUSTN'T: NO DEBES
Prohibición: You mustn't drive fast. There is a speed limit.
G - NEEDN'T / DON'T HAVE TO : No hace falta / no es necesario / no necesitas
Ausencia de Obligación:
Presente Pasada
Needn't / don't have to + infinitivo Needn't have + 3ª o -ed
You needn't / don't have to drive fast. You needn't have bought any
We have plenty of time. bread. We have plenty of it.

H - SHOULD / OUGHT TO: Deberías

Consejo o Advertencia:
Presente Pasada
Should + infinitive Should have + 3ª o -ed
You should study harder You should have studied harder

- MODAL VERBS (REPHRASING)

- I’m certain he is ill: He must be ill. - I’m sure he was ill: He must have been ill.
- It is unnecessary to buy more milk: You needn’t - It was unnecessary to buy milk: You needn’t
buy more milk. have bought milk.
- Smoking is forbidden in hospitals: You mustn’t - You can’t ride a bike: You aren’t allowed to
smoke in hospitals. ride a bike.
-Perhaps he comes to the party: He may come to - Maybe she came to the party: She may have
the party. come the party.
- If I were you, I would go to the doctor: You - It was wrong to shout at her: You shouldn’t
should go to the doctor. have shouted at her.

. MODAL VERBS (EXERCISES)

1. Choose the correct answer.

1. Why don’t you share things with your brother? You ...... be so selfish.
a. shouldn’t b. can’t c. don’t have to
2. If the police ask you a question, you ...... tell the truth.
a. can b. may c. must
3. That ...... be Maureen! She looks completely different!
a. mustn’t b. shouldn’t c. can’t
4. David has got a new girlfriend. He ...... be very happy.
a. has to b. must c. could
5. I ...... run for miles when I was younger.
a. could b. can c. might
2 Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs.
Mark is thinking about going snowboarding. (might)
Mark might go snowboarding.

1 It’s possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. (could)

2 I’m thinking about taking Spanish lessons. (may)

3 I’m sure they’ll be home by now. (must)

4 James definitely isn’t eighteen yet! (can’t)

5 It’s possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow. (might)

3. Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs.

There’s a possibility that he argued with his wife. (might)
He might have argued with his wife.
1 I’m sure that Mrs Smith didn’t leave home. (can’t)
Mrs Smith ……………………………………
2 Perhaps she’s gone to stay with her mother. (might)
She …………………………………………
3 It’s possible that Mr Smith committed a crime. (may)
Mr Smith ……………………………………
4 I’m certain that he buried something in the garden. (must)
He ……………………………………………
5 Perhaps he won the lottery. (could)
He ……………………………………………
6 I’m sure he bought a new car. (must)
He ……………………………………………
7 Perhaps Mr Smith murdered his wife. (might)
Mr Smith ……………………………………

4. Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs.

Example:

1. It isn't necessary to buy a ticket

NEEDN’T…………….. You needn’t buy a ticket

2. I advised him to be more careful.

SHOULD ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. I think that's John's car.

MUST …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. I don't think he was her brother.

CAN'T ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

5. He couldn't swim when he was 5.

ABLE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. It's possible that he won the race.

MIGHT …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

7. You are not allowed to play in their garden.

MUSTN’T …………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. It isn't necessary for them to repair the car.

NEED ………………………………………………………………………………………………………