Unit 3. Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

Advice

Should -------------------------------------------------------deberías

 ex: You should study harder---------------deberias estudiar más
       Should you study...?
       You shouldn't study

Ought to ---------------------------------------deberías

ex: You ought to study harder

      (no negative or interrogative form)

Ability

Can --------------------------------------------------------------puedo

ex: I can write with my left hand
     I can't write...
     Can I write...?

Could ----------------------------------------------------------- podía

ex: When I was young I could run very fast
      I couldn't run
      Could you run...?

Be able to -----------------------------------------------ser capaz de 

ex: In the future I will be able to speak English correctly
      I will not be able to speak
      Will you be able to speak?

Permision

Can ------------------------------------------------------------puedo

ex: Can I open the window?

Could----------------------------------------------------------Podría

ex: Could I open the window?
      I couldn't open the window
      Could you open the window?

Be allowed to-------------------------------------------- permitirse

ex: It is not allowed to smoke in public places
      It is allowed to smoke
      Is it allowed to smoke?

Possibility and cartainity

Could --------------------------------------------Podria, puede que

ex. John could be at the doctor
      John couldn't be at the doctor
      Could John be at the doctor?

Might---------------------------------------------------- debe/quizás

ex. John might be at the doctor
      John might not be...
      Might John be at the doctor?

May ------------------------------------------------------------ quizás

ex. John may be at the doctor
      John may not be at the doctor
      May John be at the doctor?

Must------------------------------------------------------- seguro que 

ex: John must be at the doctor
      John musn't be at the doctor
      Must Jhon be at the doctor?

Can't------------------------------------------------ no puede ser que

ex: John can't be at the doctor

(NOT couldn't, mustn't)

Prohibition

Mustn't -------------------------------------------------------no debes

ex: You mustn't eat junk food

(NOT must)

Obligation

Have to ------------------------------------------------------tienes que

ex: I have to buy milk
     Do you have to buy milk?

Don't have to -----------------------no tines que (no es necesario que)

ex: You don't have to come if you don't want to

Need to ------------------------------------------------------- tienes que

ex: I need to buy milk

Needn't--------- no tienes que

ex: You needn't come if you don't want to

must------------ debes. 

ex: You must come to class. 

(NOT mustn't)

EXERCISE: translate and then transform the sentences into interrogatives and negatives. 

1. Debería haber estudiado mas para el examen. 
2. No es necesario tomar notas en clase. 
3. Quizás llegue a tiempo para la conferencia. 
4. Cuando era pequeña podía saltar muy alto. 
5. Cuando acabe la carrera podré ganar mucho dinero. 
6. Debo haber puesto las llaves en la nevera