COMMUNICATIVE FUNCTIONS OF MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERB MEANING EXPRESSING EXAMPLE

MUST TO HAVE TO
TO BE VERY PROBABLE
MUST NOT NOT TO BE ALLOWED TO
CAN TO BE ABLE TO
TO BE ALLOWED TO
IT IS POSSIBLE
COULD TO BE ABLE TO
TO BE ALLOWED TO
IT IS POSSIBLE
MAY TO BE ALLOWED TO
IT IS POSSIBLE, PROBABLE
MIGHT TO BE ALLOWED TO
IT IS POSSIBLE, PROBABLE WEAK POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY
NEED NECESSARY
NEED NOT-NEEDN´T NOT NECESSARY LACK OF NECESSITY/ABSENCE OF
SHOULD/OUGHT TO USED TO SAY OR ASK WHAT IS THE
CORRECT OR BEST THING TO DO
TO SUGGEST AN ACTION OR TO SHOW
THAT IT IS NECESSARY
TO BE VERY PROBABLE
HAD BETTER TO SUGGEST AN ACTION OR TO SHOW
THAT IT IS NECESSARY
100 % OBLIGATION I MUST STOP WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS TURN RED.
LOGICAL CONCLUSION HE MUST BE VERY TIRED AFTER SUCH ENORMOUS
(DEDUCTION) WORK
PROHIBITION YOU MUST NOT SMOKE IN THE HOSPITAL.
ABILITY I CAN SWIM
PERMISSION CAN I USE YOUR PHONE PLEASE?
POSSIBILITY SMOKING CAN CAUSE CANCER!
ABILITY IN THE PAST WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I COULD STAY UP ALL NIGHT
AND NOT GET TIRED...
MORE POLITE PERMISSION EXCUSE ME, COULD I JUST SAY SOMETHING?
POSSIBILITY IT COULD RAIN TOMORROW!
PERMISSION MAY I USE YOUR PHONE PLEASE?
POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY IT MAY RAIN TOMORROW!
MORE POLITE PERMISSION MIGHT I USE YOUR PHONE PLEASE?
I MIGHT COME AND VISIT YOU IN AMERICA NEXT
YEAR, IF I CAN SAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
NECESSITY NEED I SAY MORE?
I NEED NOT BUY ANY TOMATOES. THERE ARE PLENTY
OBLIGATION IN THE FRIDGE.
50 % OBLIGATION I SHOULD / OUGHT TO SEE A DOCTOR. I HAVE A
TERRIBLE HEADACHE.
ADVICE YOU SHOULD / OUGHT TO REVISE YOUR LESSONS
LOGICAL CONCLUSION HE SHOULD / OUGHT TO BE VERY TIRED AFTER SUCH
(DEDUCTION) ENORMOUS WORK
ADVICE YOU 'D BETTER REVISE YOURS

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

GRAMMAR ASPECTS COMMUNICATIVE FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES
1. TO GIVE YOUR OPINION - 1. I LIKE ICE CREAM. I DON'T LIKE SPICY FOOD.
2. TO TALK ABOUT SCHEDULES - 2. THE LIBRARY OPENS AT EIGHT. IT DOESN'T
3. TO TALK ABOUT DAILY HABITS (ROUTINE OPEN AT 7.
THE SIMPLE PRESENT ACTIONS)- 3. SARA EATS A CHEESE FOR BREAKFAST EVERY
4. TO GIVE FACTS - DAY. SHE DOESN'T EAT CEREAL.
4. THE EARTH CIRCLES THE SUN. THE MOON
DOESN'T CIRCLE THE SUN.
1. WE USE THE PAST CONTINUOUS TO SAY THAT
SOMEBODY WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING 1. THIS TIME YESTERDAY, I WAS DOING MY
SOMETHING AT A CERTAIN TIME IN THE PAST. HOMEWORK.
2. BOB BURNT HIS HAND WHEN HE WAS
COOKING DINNER YESTERDAY- WHILE I WAS
THE PAST CONTINUOUS
2. WE USE THE PAST CONTINUOUS TO SAY THAT WORKING IN THE GARDEN, I HURT MY BACK.
SOMETHING HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF
SOMETHING ELSE

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

 1. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS IS USED WHEN WE 1. I'M DOING MY HOMEWORK THIS EVENING.
SAY WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED AND I'M STARTING UNIVERSITY IN SEPTEMBER.
ARRANGED TO DO AT A SPECIFIC TIME IN THE SALLY IS MEETING JOHN AT SEVEN O'CLOCK
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE PLANS
FUTURE. THESE ARE FIXED PLANS WITH THIS EVENING IN A RESTAURANT
DEFINITE TIME AND/OR PLACE. DOWNTOWN.

1. WE USE THE SIMPLE FUTURE FOR INSTANT 1. I'VE LEFT THE DOOR OPEN; I'LL CLOSE IT.
DECISIONS. 2. SHE'LL PASS THE EXAM. SHE'S
2. WE USE THE SIMPLE FUTURE, WHEN WE HARDWORKING"
PREDICT A FUTURE SITUATION: 3. IT WILL PROBABLY RAIN TONIGHT”, "I
3. WE USE THE SIMPLE FUTURE WITH: "I (DON'T) WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
THE SIMPLE FUTURE
THINK...", "I EXPECT...", "I'M SURE...", "I 4. IF I HAVE ENOUGH TIME, I'LL WATCH THE
WONDER...", AND “PROBABLY". FILM."
4. WE USE THE SIMPLE FUTURE IN CONDITIONAL
SENTENCES TYPE ONE.

1. IT IS USED TO INDICATE ACTION WHICH WILL 1. I WILL BE WATCHING A FOOTBALL MATCH

BE TAKING PLACE AT SOME TIME IN THE NEXT SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WE'LL BE
THE FUTURE PROGRESSIVE FUTURE WORKING ON OUR PROJECT THIS MORNING.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, I'LL BE SLEEPING.

1. TO EMPHASIZE ON THE RESULT OF A PAST 1. I HAVE MET THAT GIRL BEFORE. WE HAVE
ACTION WITHOUT MENTIONING THE ACTUAL DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE A FEW TIMES.
THE PRESENT PERFECT
TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED. 2. HAVE YOU SEEN LACY TODAY? (THE DAY IS
NOT OVER YET.). I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TESTS

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

2. ACTION PERFORMED IN A PERIOD THAT HAS THIS MONTH. (THE MONTH HAS NOT FINISHED
NOT FINISHED YET (THE SAME DAY, WEEK, YET.)
MONTH, ETC.) 3. THEY HAVE LIVED HERE FOR TEN YEARS. I HAVE
3. ACTION THAT STARTED IN THE PAST AND HAS NOT SEEN HER SINCE WE LEFT HIGH SCHOOL.
CONTINUED UNTIL NOW. OFTEN USED WITH CLARE AND JOHN HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER
SINCE (INDICATING THE BEGINNING OF SINCE THEY WERE AT PRIMARY SCHOOL.
ACTION) OR FOR (INDICATING THE DURATION 4. HE HAS JUST TAKEN THE MEDICINE.
OF ACTION)
4. IT IS USED TO INDICATE COMPLETED
ACTIVITIES IN THE IMMEDIATE PAST (WITH
JUST).

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

 1. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS 1. THEY HAVE BEEN WATCHING TV FOR THE LAST
TO SHOW THAT SOMETHING STARTED IN THE THREE HOUR. SHE HAS BEEN STUDYING AT
PAST AND HAS CONTINUED UP UNTIL NOW THAT INSTITUTION FOR THREE YEARS. WHAT
INDICATING A DURATION. "FOR AN HOUR", HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 30
THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS: FOR TWO WEEKS", ETC ...ARE USED TO MINUTES?
INDICATE DURATION. 2. I HAVE BEEN FEELING REALLY TIRED,
2. THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS IS ALSO RECENTLY. SHE HAS BEEN SMOKING TOO
USED WITHOUT INDICATION OF DURATION. MUCH LATELY.
THIS USE INDICATES AN ACTION THAT HAS
OCCURRED "LATELY" OR "RECENTLY".
1. USE THE PAST PERFECT TENSE TO SHOW AN 1. PRESIDENT LINCOLN HAD ATTENDED THE
ACTION THAT WAS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THEATER REGULARLY BEFORE HIS
THE PAST PERFECT
ANOTHER ACTION THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE ASSASSINATION. THEY HAD HAD LUNCH
PAST WHEN I ARRIVED."
1. WE USE THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TO 1. WE HAD BEEN PLAYING SOCCER WHEN THE
SHOW THAT SOMETHING STARTED IN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED
PAST AND CONTINUED UP UNTIL ANOTHER 2. I HAD BEEN LIVING IN THAT SMALL TOWN FOR
ACTION STOPPED IT. THREE YEARS BEFORE I MOVED TO NEW YORK.
2. WE USE THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TO 3. I WAS SO TIRED. I HAD BEEN REVISING MY
SHOW THAT SOMETHING STARTED IN THE LESSONS FOR HOURS.
THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
PAST AND CONTINUED UP UNTIL ANOTHER
TIME IN THE PAST. "FOR FIVE MINUTES" AND
"FOR TWO WEEKS" ARE BOTH DURATIONS
WHICH CAN BE USED WITH THE PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS.
3. WE USE THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
BEFORE ANOTHER ACTION IN THE PAST TO
SHOW CAUSE AND EFFECT.

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

 1. THE FUTURE PERFECT SHOWS THAT 1. BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND, I WILL HAVE
SOMETHING WILL OCCUR BEFORE: REVISED MY LESSONS. BY THE TIME HER HUSBAND
ARRIVES HOME, SHE WILL HAVE PREPARED
THE FUTURE PERFECT • ANOTHER ACTION OCCURS IN THE FUTURE DINNER. I WON'T HAVE FINISHED THIS TASK BY THE
• OR BEFORE A SPECIFIC TIME IN THE FUTURE. END OF JUNE

1. IT IS USED TO SHOW THAT AN ACTION WILL
CONTINUE UP UNTIL A PARTICULAR EVENT OR
TIME IN THE FUTURE. "FOR FIVE MINUTES," AND
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS "FOR TWO WEEKS," ARE ALL DURATIONS WHICH
CAN BE USED WITH THE FUTURE PERFECT
CONTINUOUS.
1. SHE WILL HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR OVER 8
HOURS BY THE TIME HER CHILDREN ARRIVE. HE
WILL HAVE BEEN STUDYING ENGLISH FOR THREE
YEARS NEXT MONTH.

REVIEW OF THE TENSES

SIMPLE PRESENT
AFFIRMATIVE SHE DRINKS.
NEGATIVE SHE DOES NOT DRINK.
INTERROGATIVE DOES SHE DRINK?
FORM I, YOU WE THEY PLAY | HE, SHE, IT PLAYS
USES • ACTION IN THE PRESENT TAKING PLACE ONCE, NEVER OR SEVERAL TIMES
• FACTS
• ACTIONS TAKING PLACE ONE AFTER ANOTHER
• ACTION SET BY A TIMETABLE OR SCHEDULE

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
AFFIRMATIVE HE IS READING.
NEGATIVE HE IS NOT READING.

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

INTERROGATIVE IS HE READING?
FORM TO BE (IN THE SIMPLE PRESENT) + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION TAKING PLACE AT THE MOMENT OF SPEAKING
• ACTION ARRANGED FOR THE FUTURE

SIMPLE PAST
AFFIRMATIVE I CRIED.
NEGATIVE I DID NOT CRY
INTERROGATIVE DID I CRY?
FORM REGULAR VERBS: VERB + ED | IRREGULAR VERBS: FORMS DIFFER AND SHOULD BE LEARNED BY HEART. THIS IS A LIST OF IRREGULAR
VERBS
USES • ACTION IN THE PAST TAKING PLACE ONCE, NEVER OR SEVERAL TIMES
• ACTIONS TAKING PLACE ONE AFTER ANOTHER

PAST PROGRESSIVE
AFFIRMATIVE HE WAS DRIVING.
NEGATIVE HE WAS NOT DRIVING.
INTERROGATIVE WAS HE DRIVING?
FORM TO BE (IN THE SIMPLE PAST) + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION GOING ON AT A CERTAIN TIME IN THE PAST
• ACTIONS TAKING PLACE AT THE SAME TIME
• ACTION IN THE PAST THAT IS INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER ACTION

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE THEY HAVE SLEPT.
NEGATIVE THEY HAVE NOT SLEPT.
INTERROGATIVE HAVE THEY SLEPT?

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

FORM HAVE / HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE (PAST PARTICIPLE OF REGULAR VERBS: VERB + ED | PAST PARTICIPLE OF IRREGULAR VERBS: FORMS
DIFFER AND SHOULD BE LEARNED BY HEART. THIS IS A LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS)
USES • EMPHASIS IS ON THE RESULT (NOT THE DURATION)
• ACTION THAT STARTED IN THE PAST & IS STILL GOING ON
• ACTION THAT STOPPED RECENTLY
• FINISHED ACTION THAT HAS AN INFLUENCE ON THE PRESENT

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

AFFIRMATIVE HE HAS BEEN THINKING.
NEGATIVE HE HAS NOT BEEN THINKING.
INTERROGATIVE HAS HE BEEN THINKING?
FORM HAVE OR HAS + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES • PUTTING EMPHASIS ON THE COURSE OR DURATION (NOT THE RESULT)
• ACTION THAT RECENTLY STOPPED OR IS STILL GOING ON
• FINISHED ACTION THAT INFLUENCED THE PRESENT

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE SHE HAD WON.
NEGATIVE SHE HAD NOT WON.
INTERROGATIVE HAD SHE WON?
FORM HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE (PAST PARTICIPLE OF REGULAR VERBS: VERB + ED | PAST PARTICIPLE OF IRREGULAR VERBS: FORMS DIFFER AND
SHOULD BE LEARNED BY HEART. THIS IS A LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS)
USES • ACTION TAKING PLACE BEFORE A CERTAIN TIME IN THE PAST
• SOMETIMES INTERCHANGEABLE WITH PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
• PUTTING EMPHASIS ONLY ON THE FACT (NOT THE DURATION)

PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

AFFIRMATIVE HE HAD BEEN WAITING.

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

NEGATIVE HE HAD NOT BEEN WAITING.
INTERROGATIVE HAD HE BEEN WAITING?
FORM HAD + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION TAKING PLACE BEFORE A CERTAIN TIME IN THE PAST
• SOMETIMES INTERCHANGEABLE WITH PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
• PUTTING EMPHASIS ON THE DURATION OR COURSE OF AN ACTION

FUTURE SIMPLE
AFFIRMATIVE YOU WILL WIN.
NEGATIVE YOU WILL NOT WIN.
INTERROGATIVE WILL YOU WIN?
FORM WILL + VERB
USES • ACTION IN THE FUTURE THAT CANNOT BE INFLUENCED
• SPONTANEOUS DECISION
• ASSUMPTION WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE

NEAR FUTURE
(GOING TO)
AFFIRMATIVE HE IS GOING TO WATCH TV.
NEGATIVE HE IS NOT GOING TO WATCH TV.
INTERROGATIVE IS HE GOING TO WATCH TV?
FORM TO BE (IN THE SIMPLE PRESENT) + GOING + TO + VERB
USES • DECISION MADE FOR THE FUTURE
• CONCLUSION WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE

FUTURE PROGRESSIVE
AFFIRMATIVE SHE WILL BE LISTENING TO MUSIC.
NEGATIVE SHE WILL NOT BE LISTENING TO MUSIC.

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez

INTERROGATIVE WILL SHE BE LISTENING TO MUSIC?
FORM WILL + BE + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION THAT IS GOING ON AT A CERTAIN TIME IN THE FUTURE
• ACTION THAT IS SURE TO HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE

FUTURE PERFECT
AFFIRMATIVE HE WILL HAVE SPOKEN.
NEGATIVE HE WILL NOT HAVE SPOKEN.
INTERROGATIVE WILL HE HAVE SPOKEN?
FORM WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (PAST PARTICIPLE OF REGULAR VERBS: VERB + ED | PAST PARTICIPLE OF IRREGULAR VERBS: FORMS
DIFFER AND SHOULD BE LEARNED BY HEART. THIS IS A LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS)
USES • ACTION THAT WILL BE FINISHED AT A CERTAIN TIME IN THE FUTURE

FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

AFFIRMATIVE YOU WILL HAVE BEEN STUDYING.
NEGATIVE YOU WILL NOT HAVE BEEN STUDYING.
INTERROGATIVE WILL YOU HAVE BEEN STUDYING?
FORM WILL + HAVE + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION TAKING PLACE BEFORE A CERTAIN TIME IN THE FUTURE
• PUTTING EMPHASIS ON THE COURSE OF AN ACTION

CONDITIONAL SIMPLE
AFFIRMATIVE WE WOULD RELAX.
NEGATIVE WE WOULD NOT RELAX.
INTERROGATIVE WOULD WE RELAX ?
FORM WOULD + VERB
USES • ACTION THAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE

CONDITIONAL PROGRESSIVE
Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez
AFFIRMATIVE HE WOULD BE WRITING.
NEGATIVE HE WOULD NOT BE WRITING.
INTERROGATIVE WOULD HE BE WRITING?
FORM WOULD + BE + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION THAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE
• PUTTING EMPHASIS ON THE COURSE / DURATION OF THE ACTION

CONDITIONAL PERFECT
AFFIRMATIVE HE WOULD HAVE WRITTEN.
NEGATIVE HE WOULD NOT HAVE WRITTEN.
INTERROGATIVE WOULD HE HAVE WRITTEN?
FORM WOULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (PAST PARTICIPLE OF REGULAR VERBS: VERB + ED | PAST PARTICIPLE OF IRREGULAR VERBS: FORMS
DIFFER AND SHOULD BE LEARNED BY HEART THIS IS A LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS)
USES • ACTION THAT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

AFFIRMATIVE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SLEEPING.
NEGATIVE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE SLEEPING SPEAKING.
INTERROGATIVE WOULD SHE HAVE BEEN SLEEPING?
FORM WOULD + HAVE + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES • ACTION THAT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST
• PUTS EMPHASIS ON THE COURSE / DURATION OF THE ACTION

Lcdo. Johan Rodríguez