¡Descarga Understanding Modal Verbs: 'Could', 'Have To', 'Should', 'Might', and 'Shall' in English - y más Apuntes en PDF de Idioma Inglés solo en Docsity!
Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
Examples:
- Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
- Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
- You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
- Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
- We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
could possibility
- John could be the one who stole the money.
- John could have been the one who stole the money.
- John could go to jail for stealing the money.
- Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.
- Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money.
- Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.
might, may
could conditional of can
- If I had more time, I could travel around the world.
- If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world.
- If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.
- Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.
- Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world.
- Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world. could suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
- You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.
- You could spend your vacation in Hawaii.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could past ability
I could run ten miles in my twenties. I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or
I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties. I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
be able to
one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct
Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct
could polite request
Could I have something to drink? Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future.
Couldn't he come with us? Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future.
can, may, might
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not" "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. Examples:
- Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
- Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
Have To
"Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.
Examples:
- This answer has to be correct. certainty
- The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. necessity
- They have to leave early. obligation
Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future
"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.
Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
have to certainty
- That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
- That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street.
- NONE
1. SHIFT TO "MUST"
That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair.
- SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere.
- NONE
must, have got to
have to necessity
- She has to read four books for this literature class.
- She had to finish the first book before the midterm.
- She will have to finish the other books before the final
- She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit.
- She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class.
must
the near future. must strong recommendation (Americans prefer the form "should.")
- You must take some time off and get some rest.
- SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest.
- SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest.
- You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.
- SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident.
- SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver.
should
must necessity (Americans prefer the form "have to.")
- You must have a permit to enter the national park.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park.
- We must get a permit to enter the park next week.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
have to
REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to" "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. Examples:
- You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.
- You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
- Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
- If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
- You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
- Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
might possibility
- She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.
- She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work.
- She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.
- She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.
- She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home.
- She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.
could, may
might conditional of may
- If I entered the contest, I might actually win.
- If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won.
- If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.
- Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.
- Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won.
- Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win. might suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
- You might have tried the cheese cake.
- You might try the cheesecake.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM
UNCOMMON
- You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.
could
might request (British form)
Might I have something to drink? Might I borrow the stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future.
NEGATIVE FORMS
UNCOMMON
could, may, can
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. Examples:
- Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
- Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
Should
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
- When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
- You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
- I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
Examples:
- You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
- Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves it.
- This stock ought to increase in value. probability
- Mark ought not drink so much. advice against something (notice there is no "to")
Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past
- = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
ought to recommendation, advice
- Margaret ought to exercise more.
- Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the marathon.
- Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight.
- Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause injury.
- Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape.
- Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us.
should
ought to assumption, expectation, probability
- She ought to have the package by now.
- She ought to have received the package yesterday.
- She ought to receive the package tonight.
"Ought not" is used primarily to express negative recommendations. (See above.)
should
Notice "Ought not" Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not." Examples:
- You ought not smoke so much.
- She ought not take such risks while skiing.
- They ought not carry so much cash while traveling.
Have Got To
"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.
Examples:
- Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. necessity
- I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. obligation
Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have got to" behaves in different contexts.
Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
have got to necessity
- People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded theater.
- You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
People don't have to be there on time to get a seat.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You didn't have to be there on time to get a seat.
- SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You won't have to be there on time to get a seat.
have to, must
haven't got to future obligation
Haven't you got to be there by 7:00? Haven't you got to finish that project today? "Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations. It can be used in statements, but this is less common.
Don't you have to
Had Better
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.
Examples:
- You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
- (^) That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
- You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning
Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.
Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
had better recommendation
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
OR "OUGHT TO"
People should unplug toasters before they clean
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
OR "OUGHT TO"
People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging
should, ought to
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
TO"
You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner.
- You may leave the table when you finish your dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
TO"
You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner.
- You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner. may request permission
May I borrow your eraser? May I make a phone call? Requests usually refer to the near future.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS can, might
Shall
"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.
Examples:
- Shall I help you? suggestion
- I shall never forget where I came from. promise
- He shall become our next king. predestination
- I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. inevitability
More Examples of "Shall"
Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You can also use: shall future action (British form)
I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office. I shall be there by 8:00.
I shall not be replaced after all. I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation.
will
shall suggestions
Shall we begin dinner? Shall we move into the living room?
should
shall volunteering, promising (British form)
I shall take care of everything for you. I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry.
I shall never forget you. I shall never give up the fight for freedom.
will
shall inevitability (British form)
Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe. We shall overcome oppression.
Man shall never give up the exploration of the universe. He shall not be held back.
Would
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past. For more information on the grammar behind the modal verb "would," visit the following tutorials: Conditional Tutorial, Future in the Past, and Would Always.
Examples:
- If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. conditional
- I knew that she would be very successful in her career. past of "will"
- When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach. repetition
Using "Would" in Present, Past, and Future
Modal Use Positive Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
- = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
would conditional
- If I were president, I would cut the cost of education.
- If I had been president, I would have cut the cost of education.
- If I were elected president next year, I would cut the cost of education.
- If I were president, I would not raise taxes.
- If I had been president, I would not have raised taxes.
- If I were president, I would not sign the tax increase next week.
would past of "will"
I said I would help you. He told me he would be here before 8:00.
I said I wouldn't help you. He told me he would not be here before 8:00. would repetition in past
When I was a kid, I would always go to the beach. When he was young, he would always do his homework.
When I was a kid, I wouldn't go into the water by myself. When he got older, he would never do his homework.
used to
Modal Forms
Modal verbs can be used in a variety of different forms. Study the examples below.
Modal Simple I could swim at the beach. Modal Continuous I could be swimming at the beach right now. Modal Perfect I could have swum at the beach yesterday. Modal Perfect Continuous I could have been swimming at the beach instead of working in the office.
Passive Modal Simple The room should be cleaned once a day. Passive Modal Continuous The room should be being cleaned now. Passive Modal Perfect The room should have been cleaned yesterday. Passive Modal Perfect Continuous The room should have been being cleaned but nobody was there. (Rare form)
