Ingles 2.

Modal verbs- Unidad I.

Un modal verb, tambin llamado modal auxiliary verb o modal auxiliary, se usa
para expresar el modo de una frase: posibilidad /probabilidad (likelihood),
capacidad/aptitud(ability), permiso (permission) y obligacin (obligation). En
espaol, por ejemplo, no necesitamos estos verbos modales o auxiliares
porque tenemos tiempos verbales o modos especficos para expresar estas misma
ideas (el condicional, el subjuntivo, el imperativo).
Hay 10 modal verbs en ingls. Estos verbos funcionan de manera distinta a los
verbos normales y son usados delante de otros verbos, en coletillas
interrogativas (tags) yrespuestas cortas.

Los modal verbs son verbos auxiliares y son los rebeldes sin causa. se saltan
algunas normas:
1. no utilizan la -S en la tercera persona del singular del presente simple;
2. normalmente usan NOT para la forma negativa;
3. muchos de ellos no existen en el pasado o en el futuro.
Los 10 modal verbs son:

May

Might

Can

Could

Will

Would

Shall

Should

Ought to*

Must

* Ought to es un verbo muy formal. Normalmente se prefiere el uso de Shall o

Should en su lugar.
Veamos las reglas gramaticales aplicadas a los modals y as entender porqu
son tan especiales:
Los modal verbs no siguen las normas de los verbos normales. No tienen pasado
ni futuro y no toman la -s de la tercera persona del singular en le presente
simple.
She can sing

She cans sing.

Cuando hablamos del pasado o del futuro, se usa otro verbo con un significado
similar al del modal. Por ejemplo, She must leave se dira she had to leave
en el pasado y she will have to leave en el futuro.
Tambin es posible usar have despus del modal para cambiar el tiempo vierbal.
As pues, Ishould eat some lunch se dira I should have eaten some
lunch. Fjate que en este caso, el verbo principal se usa en el past participle.
Can y could actan como pareja, y una frase que use can en el presente,
usar could en el pasado.
I cant find my wallet

>

I couldnt find my wallet.

Para hacer la forma negativa, siempre hay que aadir NOT al modal.
I shouldnt eat chocolate

I dont should eat chocolate.

Tambin, todos los modales van seguidos del infinitivo del verbo principal sin
to. (a excepcin del modal ought, que requiere to).
I could dance

I could to dance.

Como ya he dicho ms arriba, los modales tambin se pueden usar para

formular coletillas interrogativas (el tpico , no? al final de una frase)
conocidas como question tags en ingls. Tambin se usan para dar respuestas
cortas a las coletillas interrogativas. En este caso, usamos el mismo modal.
Echa un vistazo a estos ejemplos:
Examples:

You cant pass me the salt, can you? Yes I can.

You wouldnt let me down, would you? No

I wouldnt.

Cada modal tiene una funcin diferente en una frase. En esta tabla puedes ver la
funcin que cada modal puede desempear:
Modal

Example

Function

May

May I go to the conference?

Solicitor permiso

I may be able to help you with your Posibilidad futura

project tomorrow.
Might
Can

Could

We might be interrupting their lunch.

Posibilidad presente

They might make us an offer.

Posibilidad futura

They can fix the problem.

habilidad

They cant fix the problem.

incapacidad

Can I have a cup of coffee?

solicitud

Can I smoke in here?

permiso

Could you help me?

solicitud

Could I take tomorrow off?

permiso

We could try unplugging it?

Sugerencia

I could come to LA next month.

Posibilida futura.

I left London, so I could get a job here. Habilidad en pasado

Will

Ill give you a call on Monday.

Promesa

Ill take these figures with me.

Decisin instantnea

Well book your tickets if you like.

Oferta

We will see an increase in salaries next Prediccin determinada

year.
Would

Would you mind if I opened a window? permiso

Would you make me a coffee?

solicitud

Would you be available at 6pm tonight? Hacer arreglos

Would you like to go out some time?

Invitacin

Would you prefer the window seat or Preferencias

the aisle?
Shall

Should

Shall I get the phone? Or will you?

Preguntar qu hacer

Shall I call a cab?

Oferta.

Shall we say 10pm at Roxys then?

Sugerencia

You should see a doctor, you dont look consejo

well.
We should get a specialist.

Recomendar accin

Salaries should go up next year.

Prediccin indeterminada

Ought to

You ought to go to the dentist before consejo

you leave.

Must

I must leave now to catch my train.

Obligacion/necesidad

You mustnt ask too many questions.

Prohibicin

Consejo Lingstico:
Los verbos modales de posibilidad los usamos normalmente para suavizar una
frase. Por ejemplo, si tuvieras que decirle a tu jefe que el proyecto no ser
acabado a tiempo, entonces usaras el modal may o might ya que son ms
ambiguos.
Por ejemplo: We may not be able to complete the project on time.
En lugar de: We cant finish the project on time.
TEAM WORK.
Activity 1. Coloque los verbos modales estudiados en la forma positive o
negativa
Example-he has a strong headache, he should go to the doctor.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

She had a lot of energy, she_______surf all day, dance all night.
All noise________be kept to a minimum after 11pm.
_______you like me to close the window? You look cold!
I_______ take that bag for you, if you like.
You really_________see the doctor regarding your ill health.
______I show you to your room?
_____ you pass me the butter please?
We_______ be able to finish the project on time.
_______I take tomorrow off? Its my birthday.
You really_______ touch that, you might hurt yourself.

Activity 2. Use los verbos modales segn las instrucciones para cada oracin.
Example_ Ask to take a holiday next month
Could/May I take a holiday next month?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Ask for the salt.

Ask if it is possible for you to switch the light on.
State that it is possible that taxes will increase next year.
State that it is possible you are able to pick up someone from the airport.
4

5.

State that there is a slight possibility that sales figures will increase next
year.
6.
Ask for a glass of wine.
7.
Request that someone make you a cup of tea.
8.
Offer to call Mr Bartlett now.
9.
Invite someone out to dinner.
10.
Suggest that you meet at 9pm.