Modal

USING THE MODAL VERBS

Verbs
Modal verbs, or modal verbs, are those verbs in English that help a sentence
have a better meaning thanks to their function. You can use them when you
want to give another meaning to a sentence. For example, if you want to ask
permission to speak or to know if they could come looking for you.
So these verbs that serve as auxiliary verbs, seek to give a specific meaning
to certain actions.
1. Can 2. Could
This verb can have different This verb (past tense of “can”) can be
translations, depending on its translated as could or could .
context, but the most common are Likewise, it establishes possibility as
you can, can, I can, I know, you we could. Some examples:
know, you know. An example of We could meet up today.
this we see in the following We could meet today.
sentences: Could you call your mom, please?
Forgive me, can you tell me what Could you call your mom, please?
time is?
Excuse me, can you tell me what
time it is?
I can cook pizza. 4. Might
3.
He May
can't speak of my nervousness
It is also a variation or synonym of
Their translations are may, may, the verb "may", and its use will vary
may or may . It is used as follows: in context. Essentially, your
May I speak now? translations are maybe, could, or
We may go to the college could .
tomorrow. He might come tonight.
We may go to college tomorrow. He may come tonight.
4. Might You might as well try to open and get
It is also a variation or synonym of in the car You could try to open it and
 in context. Essentially, your .
translations are maybe, could, or
5.couldWill
. 6. Would
It is used to express something that It is translated in multiple ways to
weHe should
might come tonight.
do, wait, etc. in a future arrange or comment on a recurring
He may come tonight.
time. Its translation will depend a lot behavior in the past, and ask someone
onYouthemight
context as well
and thetry to open
verb. But,andfor to take an action. It is used as
get in the itcar
example, canYou be could try toas:open
translated follows:
it andwill
You get find
in theit. car Would you please close our
.
You'll find it. windows?
We will listen to the next time. Could you please close our windows?
We will listen next time. When I was in Spain, I would speak
Will you marry me? Spanish.
6. Would When I was in Spain, I spoke
It is translated in multiple ways to Spanish.
arrange or comment on a recurring I would like you to know the truth.
7. Must
behavior in the past, and ask someone 8. Shall
to
Itstake antranslation
literal action. It iswould
used as be I need It is not a very common modal verb
follows:
or I have what. However, it will due to its formalism. Its translation is
depend a lot on the verb that identical to that of the verb Will. Let's
Would you please close
accompanies since it can involve our see how it is applied:
windows?
assumptions, as you can see here: We shall dance together soon, my
Could you
You must be joking.please close our windows? lady.
When I was
You must be kidding. in Spain, I would speak We'll dance together soon, miss.
Spanish.
Maybe, she must have done
When
something. I was in Spain, I spoke 10. Ought to
Spanish.
Maybe she should have done This is a synonym for the modal verb
Isomething.
would like you to know the truth. Should, and its translation is the
I8.would
Shall like you to know the truth. same. Here's an example:
9. Should
It is not a very common modal verb I ought to practice more piano.
The most common translation for this
due to its formalism. Its translation is You should practice the piano more.
modal
identical verb is should
to that of theorverb
should
Will.. Let's
Some
see how examples of how it is used:
it is applied:
You should listen to me.
You should
We shall listen
dance to me. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/m
together soon, my
Should
lady. she doesn't back?odal-verbs
Shouldn't shetogether
come back? https://espanol.lingolia.com/en/grammar/verbs/verbos-modales
We'll dance soon, miss.
10. Ought to
Should, and its translation is the

Exercis
same. Here's an example:

I ought to practice more piano.

You should practice the piano more.

1) ________ you swim when you were 10?

es
Could
2) We _______ get to the meeting on time yesterday, because the train
was delayed by one hour.
couldn't
3) He ________ arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train,
so he was very pleased.
was able to
4) He's amazing, he _______ speak five languages, including Chinese.
can
5) I ________ drive a car until I was 34. Then I moved to the
countryside, so I had to learn..
couldn't
6) I looked everywhere for my glasses but I ________ find them
anywhere.
couldn't
7) I searched for your house for ages. luckily I ________ find it in the
end.
was able to
8) She's seven years old, but she _______ read yet. Her parents are
getting her extra lessons.
can't
9) I read the book three times, but I ________ understand it.