Laura Cruz Rodríguez

English B2-1UNAB

What are modal verbs?

• Helping verbs used together with base form of main verbs

• Express different types of meanings

How do we use modals?

SSubject

VVerbM

Example: Mary could play the piano

Form

He can ski He cans ski or He can skis

Would you like to come with me?Do you would like to come with me?

They can’t be serious They don’t can be serious

There is no “s” in singularThere is no “do / does” in the questionThere is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the (-)

Modal verbs do not have infinitives or –ing forms

Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to

to can / caning to must /musting

She must study

We should have gone the other way

He could play football in his youth (general ability)

Subject Modal verb

Main verb

Complement

I We

TheyYouHeSheIt

must

can

should

may

will

go to sleep.

drink some water.

eat some food.

do some exercise.

Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of the main verbs after the modal verbs.