MODAL VERBS

- modalize other verbs (they are

always with other verbs)
I speak English.
I can speak English.
- there aren't double modal verbs
(they don't go together)
I will can do this.
I will be able to do this.
- they are auxiliary verbs (we
don't need another auxiliary verb
[do, does, did, have, is, am, are])
May I enter?
Do I may enter?
- we don't need to use "to"
I must to work.
I have to work.
I must work.
- they don't have different
conjugations
She has to study.
I have to study.
I play the guitar.
He plays the guitar.
She should study.
I should study.

CAN - PODER - CONSEGUIR -

SABER
- abilities: I can speak English.
- willingness: I can help you.
- possibility/probability: This can
be good.
- request: Can you open the
window?
 - permission: Can I open the
window?
- prohibition/impossibility: You
can't open the window.

COULD - PODERIA - PODIA -

SABERIA - CONSEGUIRIA -
CONSEGUIA
- past abilities: I could speak
English when I was a child.
- polite willingness: I could help
you.
- more remote
possibility/probability: This could
be good.
- polite request: Could you open
the window?
 - polite permission: Could I open
the window?
- polite prohibition/impossibility:
You couldn't open the window.
- conditional: If I could, I would
study more.

MUST - DEVER

- obligation: You must study

everyday.
- prohibition: You mustn't work
every day.
- deductions: You must be tired.
- strong recommendations:
You must sleep now.

SHOULD - DEVERIA
- guess: You should be tired.
- advice: You should sleep a little.
- appropriateness: A lawyer should
be formal.

MAY - PODER

- permission: May I stay here?

- prohibition: You may not stay
here.
- probability/possibility: It may rain
tomorrow.

MIGHT - PODER

- remote probability/possibility: It
might rain tomorrow.
WILL - (FUTURE) IR

- predictions: It will rain tomorrow.

- formal invitations: Will you marry
me?
negative: won't / will not

WOULD - "IA/AVA"

- hypothesis: Would you eat horse

meat?
- conditional: If I had time, I would
study more.
- past habit: When I was a child, I
would always eat cookies.
- desire (+like/love/prefer): Would
you like some coffee?