<h1>Modal verbs</h1><h2>Verbos modales en inglés</h2>

Modal verbs:

First, we must learn to differentiate between core modal verbs and semi-modal verbs.

Core modal verbs:

They express probability of an event, speaker’s attitude, judgement or request including permissibility, obligation, necessity, ability, desire or contingency.

The core modal verbs are:

Can, could, may, might, will, shall, would, must and might.

Once you know where the core modal verbs are used, and you have fully memorized them, we are going to see how to use them:

-Core modal verbs are used with the simplest form of a verb, without to:

Could I speak to Mr Jackson, please?

Could I to speak to Mr Jackson, please?   (permission)

-In Core modal verbs, auxiliary verbs cannot go before:

Can you indicate me where the station is? (request)

Do you can indicate me where the station is?

You mustn’t give your hearth to a wild thing.

You don’t must give your hearth to a wild thing.

-Coral modal verbs may be followed by auxiliary be and have indicating not only aspect but also passive voice:

I might be wrong.   *(perfect aspect)

The “Perfect aspect” describes events that took place in the past, which consequences affect a later time, normally the present time.

She could be talking about herself for hours.   *(progressive aspect)

The “Progressive aspect” indicates an action developed in the past, present or future time without an ending.  

Workers will be paid before the end of the month.   (Passive voice)

There are also semi-modal verbs such as dare, need, ought to and used to ( you have the link above).

 

Negative forms of modal verbs

Not is placed after the modal verb to form the negative.

The uncontracted negative form of the core modal verbs is used in formal spoken and formal writing.

Here we have two examples:

You shall not pass.

I will not let an exam result decide my fate.

The contracted negative  form n’t is used in informal context with core modal and semi-modals verbs.

The driver may be intoxicated and shouldn’t be on the road.

The contracted forms for shall and will are shan’t and won’t.

I won’t ask you again.

 

Interrogative forms of modal verbs:

Interrogative structure consist of modal verb + subject + lexical verb.

Can we stay at home?

We can also find the next structure normally used  in a conversation when we want to know the listener’s opinion.

She will try to seduce her friend, won’t she?