Example of Modal Verbs in English

Modal verbs in English (modal verbs or simply modals) are a type of auxiliary verbs that serve to express the probability, possibility, ability or need for something to happen or be make. Regarding these functions, we can divide the modal verbs into verbs that express capacity, permission, probability and certainty, and obligation.

The Most used modal verbs in English are the following:

• Dog
• Could
• may
• Might
• Will
• Shall
• Should
• Ought to
• Have to
• Must
• Would

Can and Could. The verb can, indicates the ability to do something or the possibility of something happening. It translates into Spanish as power. We use it in the present tense. To indicate that something cannot be done or cannot happen, the negative form is used can’t:

I can dance (I can dance)

If you need, Carry can work on Saturday

I can’t go to the town tomorrow

My dog ​​can't sit, it doesn't learn that. (My dog ​​can't sit, he hasn't learned that)

Could is the past tense and participle of the verb can. It is used to indicate the ability or possibility that something happened in the past (past tense form) or that something may happen in the future (participle form); In its negative form it indicates that a capacity was not had or something could not be done in the past as well as that something cannot be done in the future:

When I was young, I could pick up 100 libs with one hand. (Past tense: When I was young, I could lift 100 pounds with one hand.)

Anyways you couldn't go to the beach, there was red tide.

When Katy was a child, she could not write well.

You couldn’t work tomorrow, there will be a meeting. (You could not work tomorrow, there will be a demonstration)

I could go to France, but my bus arrived late. (I was able to go to France, but my bus was late).

May and Might. The verb may is also translated as power. It serves to indicate the possibility that something is added in the future. It is also used in the present tense, to give permission or instructions. In the interrogative form it is a more formal way to ask for permission authorization than the verbs could or can:

It May be the best leave it tomorrow. (It would be best to leave it tomorrow)

To go to the stadium, you may walk right three block, then turn left two blocks and may turn right one block more. (To go to the stadium, you can walk straight three blocks, turn left two blocks, and you can turn right one more block.)

Well, the class has finished. You may go home. (Well, class is over. They can go home).

May I leave now? (I can go?

Might is synonymous and is used the same as May; Its use is more widespread in the English of the United Kingdom:

It might be the best leave it tomorrow. (It would be best to leave it tomorrow)

To go to the stadium, you Might walk right three block, then turn left two blocks and Might turn right one block more. (To go to the stadium, you can walk straight three blocks, turn left two blocks, and you can turn right one more block.)

Well, the class has finished. You might go home. (Well, class is over. They can go home).

Might I leave now? (I can go?

Will and shall. These two verb forms of the verb to be are used to form the future tense. Will is most used in North America and shall in the UK. In addition to the tense function, as manners signify a determination to do or do something. In the interrogative form they serve to ask for instructions, information or to raise options:

Remember I will help you. (remember that I will help you)

If your PC fails again, you shall know what to do

Shall I go to the town right now? (Should I go downtown now?)

Will go to a coffee or to a restaurant? (Are we going to a cafe or a restaurant?)

Shall I arrive to the theater going by this street? (Do I get to the theater going down this street?)

Should and Ough to. Both mean duty, in the sense of something that should be done, although not necessarily done; They also indicate a suggestion or recommendation. Ought to is most used in British English; Furthermore, in American English it is not used in interrogative forms:

We should have a picnic

They shouldn't follow that path

You ought to work so late

Should I go her home? (Should I go to your house?)

Ough London to have more metro lines? (Should London have more tube lines?)

Must and have to. Both indicate duty, something that you have or must do. It also indicates something that is very likely. In the interrogative form it is used in rhetorical or sarcastic questions:

I must wake up earlier. (I must get up earlier)

You have to repair your car. (You must wash your car)

You mustn't cross the line. (They must not cross the line)

The kids haven’t to bring alcoholic drinks. (Children should not bring alcoholic beverages)

Must you arrive late on Monday? (Do you have to be late on Mondays?)

Would. It is used to express a preference or desire. It is also used in conditional sentences (It could be that ...):

She would take sandwiches. (She could bring sandwiches).

I would take a beer, please. (I'd like to have a beer, please).

Would you like some tea? (Do you want you?)

When would you go to shop? (When would you like to go shopping?)

Would they finish the work on time? (Could they finish in time?)

10 examples of sentences with modal verbs:

Modals can make better your texts.

The may show people with a rich speech.

Could you use it properly? I'm sure you can.

Might you write this sentence in other way?

Of course, you will write any sentence following the rules.

So, we shall talk with anyone clearly and sharp.

We should study all the time, but not ever is possible.

At least, we ough to read a dictionary, even we are from highschool.

We must ever help others to learn, so, we can be better in all we know.

And we have to learn from our mistakes, to try to find the perfection.

Would we get perfection? No, but we ever try.