This document discusses modal verbs in English. It defines modal verbs as verbs that go before other verbs to add additional meaning. Some common modal verbs mentioned are can, must, could, have to, might, will, would, and should. The document explains how modal verbs don't change form based on subject and can't be used with other auxiliary verbs. It also provides examples of the meanings conveyed by different modal verbs, such as ability, possibility, obligation, permission, certainty, suggestion, and conditionality. One semimodal verb, "have to", is noted as sometimes following different rules than other modal verbs.

1. MODAL VERBS
David Corredor

2. ¿What is a modal verb?
O Modal verbs are verbs, wich go ahead of others,
for example:
I play
I can play
O It adds a particular nuance to the meaning of the
verb:
I play: (yo) juego
I can play: (yo) puedo/ sé jugar
(we understand that there are possibilities to he/she
plays or has the ability to play something)

3. There are many modal verbs that you already know: can, must,
could, have to, might, will, would, should, ... And each one is used
to provide some extra meaning.
O I can play
can: poder> habilidad o posibilidad > Puedo jugar
O I must play
must: deber> obligación > Debo jugar
O I should play
should: debería> obligación muy suave o consejo > Debería jugar
O I have to play
have to: tener que> fuerte obligación > Tengo que jugar
O I would play
would: > condición o potencialidad > Jugaría si

4. ¿How does it work?
O Are unchanged, like this...
She can dance (is not added «s» with the 3rd singular
person)
O It does not needs do / does / did, to the negative form or
interrogative form
O For the negative form is added «not» behind:
We should not smoke (take care with “have to”)
O For the interrogative form it is exchanged with the
subject
Must you go? ( take care with “have to”)
O It can not be auxiliary to each other:
I would can buy it (we use “could”)

5. ¿What is the meaning of each one?
O Abiliy: can / could
I could run faster when I was younger.
O Possibility: can / could / may / might
It might snow in September.
O Obligation: have to / must / should
You have to carry your Identification Card.
O Permission: may / could / can
May I come in, Mr Johnson?
O Certain: must
It must be nine already.
O Suggestion / offering: shall
Shall I close the door?
O Conditionality / potentiality: would
I would go if you invite me.

6. In more detail:
O POSSIBILITY: can / could / may / might
poder / podría / podría / podría
(in decreasing order)
For example: I can go tomorrow
Puedo ir mañana
I could go tomorrow
Podría ir mañana
I may go tomorrow
Podría ir mañana (but is unlikely)
I might go tomorrow
Podría ir mañana (but is almost impossible)

7. O OBLIGATIÓN: have to / must / should
tener que / tener que / deber / debería
(in decreasing order)
For example:
You have to drive carefully.
Tienes que conducir con cuidado.
You must carry your driving license with you.
Debes llevar el carnet de conducir.
You should but a new car.
Deberías comprarte otro coche.

8. O PERMISSION: may / could / can
podría / podría / puedo
(from more formal to less formal)
For example:
May I add something to your remark?
Podría añadir algo a su puntualización?
Could I add something to your idea?
Podría añadir algo a su idea?
Can I add something to that?
Puedo añadir algo a eso?

9. Semimodal Verb
O Tere is a verb seen from above, that is not Modal properly
but Semimodal, cause sometimes it follows other rules:
HAVE TO
Look:
She has to finish it ( changes depending on the
subject)
I don´t have to go (it has not «not» behind)
Did you have to write it? (It does not exchanged its
site with the subject in the interrogative form)