1 The first modal verbs (modal verbs) are auxiliary verbs used to express an attitude ofa speaker regarding the possibility or probability of an event.
2 There are ten modals and three semi-modal:
MODAL VERBS
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can cannot (1) can’t
could could not couldn’t
may may not mayn’t (2)
might might not mightn’t
will will not won’t
would would not wouldn’t
shall shall not shan’t (3)
should should not shouldn’t
must must not mustn’t
ought to ought not to (4) oughtn’t to (4)
SEMI-MODAL VERBS
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need need not needn’t
dare dare not daren’t
used to used not to (5) usedn’t to (5)
The modal verbs (ex. can, Could, May, might, should …)
1 An auxiliary verbs are very similar to auxiliary verbs be, have and in certain aspectsof:
He can sing. Ele sabe cantar.
He can’t sing. Ele não sabe cantar.
Can he sing? Ele sabe cantar?
Compare com o verbo auxiliar be:
He is singing. Ele está a cantar.
He isn’t singing. Ele não está a cantar.
Is he singing? Ele está a cantar?
2 Dont have forms ending in-s,-ing or-ed:
I can swim. Eu sei nadar.
You can swim. Tu sabes nadar.
He can swim. Ele sabe nadar.
They can swim. Eles sabem nadar.
3 Dont happen one after another:
You could should ask her first. (errado)
Can be used with and on the same sentence:
You could and should ask her first. Poderias e deverias perguntar-lhe primeiro.
4 occur before the subject in questions:
Can you swim? Sabes nadar?
May I come in? Posso entrar?
5 Followed by not on negatives:
You must not drink this. Não deves beber isto.
You should not smoke. Não deverias fumar.
except ought to, when not cames after ought and after to:
You ought not to do that. Não deverias fazer isso.
6 Are followed of infinitve verbs , without to, on the affirmatives:
I can swim. Sei nadar.
You may go. Podes ir.
He should study. Ele deveria estudar.
except ought to, where to is mandatory:
She ought to eat. Ela deveria comer.
7 Ranked first in verbal expressions:
He should study. Ele deveria estudar.
He should be studying. Ele deveria estar a estudar.
He should have studied. Ele deveria ter estudado.
He should have been studying. Ele deveria ter estado a estudar.
8 allow us to express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, prohibition, very likely,etc..:
He can play tennis. Ele sabe jogar ténis. (capacidade)
She might come. Ela pode vir. (possibilidade)
You may go. Podes ir. (permissão)
You must study. Tens de estudar. (obrigação)
You mustn’t smoke here. Não podes fumar aqui. (proibição)
He must be tired. Ele deve estar cansado. (forte probabilidade)
9 are sometimes called defective verbs because the absence of other forms that verbshave, for example, the infinitive form. In such cases, resort to other verbs, eg. Be Ableto instead of can:
I’ll be able to give you an answer soon.
Serei capaz de lhe dar uma resposta em breve.
I won’t be able to do it for tomorrow.
Não serei capaz de o fazer para amanhã.
He was able to open the door.
Ele conseguiu abrir a porta.
10 Only four modal verbs are formed in the past but are not truly verbs from the past:
“presente” “passado”
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can could
may might
shall should
will would
EXERCISE
Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below.
can could must might should
1. Ted’s flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He be exhausted after such a long flight.
2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you walk downtown and explore the waterfront.
3. Hiking the trail to the peak be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes.
4. When you have a small child in the house, you leave small objects lying around.
5. Dave: you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nathan: No, I can’t.
6. Jenny’s engagement ring is enormous! It have cost a fortune.
7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don’t get enough water, they die.
8. Oh no! Frank’s wallet is lying on the coffee table. He have left it here last night.
9. The book is optional. My professor said we read it if we needed extra credit.
10. Ned: I borrow your lighter for a minute?
Stephen: Sure, no problem. Actually, you keep it if you want to. I’ve given up smoking.
ANSWERS:
1. Must
2. Should
3. Might
4. Should’t
5. Can
6. Must
7. Might
8. Must
9. Could
10. Can / Can
302 Grammar Blog 