| Modal | Uso | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
Will | Futuro | I will take the IELTS exam. |
Would | Situación imaginaria Preferencia Solicite | You would look good in blue. I would like to go to the cinema. Would you like some tea? |
Should | Buena idea | You should go to the Doctor. |
Must | Obligación Especulación | You must do your homework. You must be crazy. |
May/Might | Posibilidad | I may go to the shop. |
Have to | Obligación | You have to do your homework. |
Can | Habilidad Permiso | I can play the piano. Can I go to the disco? |
Could | Habilidad del pasado Oferta | I could run fast. Could I help you? |
Ejemplos y significado de los verbos modales
Los verbos modales añaden más significado al verbo principal.
I might go to the cinema later. (adds possibility)
No es necesario conjugar la tercera persona de un verbo modal.
He might go to the cinema later. (not mights)
Los verbos modales más comunes
Will
Usamos will en las siguientes situaciones:
Promesa
I will do the washing later.
I will marry you.
Decisión inmediata
I will help you.
I will buy some milk.
Predicciónes Certeras
We will use robots more in the future.
Liverpool will be champions this year.
Como puede ver, will se utiliza generalmente para situaciones futuras.
Would
Situación imaginaria
I would go to Bali if I had the money.
I would have felt better if I hadn’t eaten all that chocolate.
Eventos regulares en el pasado
I would play football for hours when I was a child.
I would go to the seaside every summer.
Futuro del discurso reportado
Jane said she would meet her mother.
He said he would write the report.
Should
Una buena idea / consejo
You should go to the doctor.
You should see that movie.
Cuando algo no está bien
They should be here by now.
The screw should be here somewhere.
Predicción incierta
I have done everything so it should work.
The train should arrive in 5 hours.
Must
Necesidad/Obligación
You must practice speaking English.
You must clean your house.
Deducción/entendimiento lógico/especulación
You have been walking all day. You must be tired.
It is very hot in here. You must be thirsty.
Have to
Obligación/Necesidad
I have to wear glasses to read the newspaper.
I have to go to work every day.
May
Posibilidad
I may go to church this Sunday.
I may be late this evening.
Pedir permiso (Educado)
May I use the bathroom?
May I have some milk?
Might
Posibilidad
I might go to church this Sunday.
I might be late this evening.
Can
Posibilidad/Autorización
We can eat ice cream after dinner.
We can have a dog next year.
Habilidad
I can speak four languages.
I can play the guitar.
Permiso
Can I use the bathroom?
Can I go visit Thailand now?
Ofertas
Can I help you with your homework?
Can I do anything to help you?
Could
Posibilidad/Sugerencia
We could go for a walk after dinner.
We could spend that money on a new dishwasher.
Habilidad en el pasado
I could play the piano when I was a child.
You could buy a lot with 1 pound when I was a child.
Solicita
Could you pass me the water?
Could I use your phone, please?
Verbos modales en negativo
Algunos verbos modales negativos no tienen un significado directamente opuesto.
Mustn’t
Lo opuesto a Must. Es necesario que no hagas eso.
You mustn’t walk on the grass.
You mustn’t smoke in here.
Don’t have to
No es necesario, pero puedes si quieres.
You don’t have to do your homework. (pero puedes si quieres)
You don’t have to study grammar.(pero ayuda si lo haces)
Verbos modales menos comunes
Had better
Buena Idea/Advisable
I‘d better go home before it starts raining.
I had better not buy that coat.
Shall
Oferta
Shall I help you with your coat?
Shall I make you a cup of tea?
Sugerencia
Shall we go?
Ought to
Consejo
You ought to know better!
Deducción
$50 dollars ought to be enough.
Needn’t
No es necesario
You needn’t do your homework.
