1. MODAL VERBS. (TOP MARKS 1º BACHILLERATO UNIT 6 p. 70, 123)
Burlington Books

2. MODAL VERBS: CHARACTERISTICS.
1.- They have the same form for singular and plural.
ex: they can swim / he can swim.
2.- They don´t need an auxiliary to form interogative and/or negative.
ex: they can´t swim; can he swim?
3.- They are followed by infinitive without “to” but “have to”, “ought to”
and “need to”.
ex: I could swim
4.- They are followed by another verb.
ex: She could read French.
5.- Some of them have several meanings.
ex: I could read Chinese (ability)
ex: could you pass me the water? (request)

3. ABILITY (OTHER TENSES)
MODAL VERBS.
MODAL
EXAMPLES
USES
CAN (PRESENT)
BE ABLE TO
Mary can run very fast.
Mary is able to run fast.
ABILITY (PRESENT)
COULD (PAST)
She could run very fast when she was a child
ABILITY (PAST)
BE ABLE TO (REST OF TENSES)
She will be able to run fast in two months
ABILITY (OTHER TENSES)

4. MODAL VERBS. MODAL EXAMPLES USES REQUEST POLITE REQUEST FORMAL REQUEST
CAN
-PUEDES-
Can I call you tonight?
REQUEST
COULD
-PODRÍAS-
MAY
-PUEDO-
Could you help me with the suitcases?
May I join this team?
POLITE REQUEST
WOULD
-QUIERES-
Would you open the window?
Would you like something to drink?
FORMAL REQUEST
OFFER
You could exercise and eat healthier food
POLITE SUGGESTION

5. MODAL VERBS. MODAL EXAMPLES USES POSSIBILITY (EXITS) (+) (-) CAN
Women´s sports can be exciting to watch
POSSIBILITY
(EXITS)
COULD
It could be dangerous for women to compete with men.
(+)
MIGHT
She might win the gold medal in the competition
(-)

6. MODAL VERBS. MODAL EXAMPLES USES OBLIGATION/ NECESSITY (PRESENT)
MUST (PRESENT)
(internal obligation)
HAVE TO (PRESENT)
(external obligation)
-TENER QUE-
You must try hard for the match.
I have to buy the tickets today
OBLIGATION/
NECESSITY
(PRESENT)
HAD TO (PAST)
(internal/external obligation)
You had to try hard for the match.
I had to buy the tikets yesterday
(PAST)
NEED TO (PRESENT)
- NECESITAR-
(NO ES MODAL)
You need to practise harder.
NEEDED TO (PAST)
You needed to practise harder.
IT NEEDS
AUXILIARY

7. CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE/ DEDUCTION
MODAL VERBS.
MODAL
EXAMPLES
USES
NEEDN´T
-NO TENER QUE-
(MODAL,SÓLO NEGATIVA)
You needn´t bring anything to the party
LACK OF OBLIGATION
DON´T HAVE TO
I don´t have to get up early tomorrow.
IT NEEDS
AUXILIARY
MODAL
EXAMPLE
USES
MUST
She´s got a great job. She must be very happy
CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE/ DEDUCTION
MODAL
EXAMPLE
USES
MUSTN´T
You mustn´t exceed the speed limit
PROHIBITION

8. MODAL VERBS. MODAL EXAMPLE USES ADVISE / OPINION SHOULD (shouldn´t)
-DEBERÍA-
OUGHT TO
(ought not to)
You should try and get on well with your siblings.
You ought to warm up before training.
ADVISE /
OPINION

9. PERFECT MODALS MODAL PERFECT EXAMPLES USES MUST HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Linda has arrived late. She must have been in a traffic jam.
Certainty that something was true.
Expresa una conclusion lógica sobre un hecho pasado.
MAY/MIGHT HAVE + PAST
PARTICIPLE
She may/might have taken the wrong bus.
A guess about a past action
Se usa para hacer una suposición de algo pasado.
COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
He couldn´t have gone to the concert because he was doing a test.
Certainty that something did not happen.
Indica que se pudo haber hecho algo en el pasado pero que finalmente no se hizo.
WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
I would have gone to the party, but it was too busy
Willingness to have done something but in fact could not.
Indica que se quiso haber hecho algo en el pasado, pero no se pudo debido a factores o circunstancias externas.

10. PERFECT MODALS.
MODAL PERFECT
EXAMPLES
USES
SHOULD/OUGHT TO HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
You should / ought to have warned me earlier
Criticism or regret after an event.
Podemos tanto quejarnos de lo ocurrido en el pasado, como lamentarnos de que no se haya cumplido lo que esperábamos.
SHOULDN´T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
He shouldn´t have forgotten about her birthday.
Criticism after an event.
Expresa nuestra opinión crítica sobre un hecho pasado indicando que no debería haber ocurrido.
NEEDN´T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
You needen´t have brought anything to my party
An unnecesary action in the past.
Indica que no había necesidad de hacer lo que se hizo.