Modal verbs — can, should, must · Verbos modales — can, should, must
Modal verbs — little helpers
- Modal verbs add meaning: ability, advice, obligation.
- can, could, should, must, have to.
- They are followed by the base verb (no to, no -s).
You should sleep; your alarm clock is ready for tomorrow.
Verbos modales — pequeños ayudantes
- Los verbos modales añaden significado: capacidad, consejo, obligación.
- can, could, should, must, have to.
- Son seguidos por el verbo en forma base (sin to, sin -s).
You should sleep; your alarm clock is ready for tomorrow.
can / could — ability & requests
- can = ability or possibility: I can swim.
- could = past ability, or a polite request: She could read at four. Could you help me?
- After can / could, use the base verb: can swim (not can to swim).
can / could — capacidad y peticiones
- can = capacidad o posibilidad: I can swim.
- could = capacidad en el pasado, o una petición educada: She could read at four. Could you help me?
- Después de can / could, usa el verbo en forma base: can swim (no can to swim).
Which sentence is correct? · ¿Cuál oración es correcta?
A modal is followed by the base verb (no “to”, no -ing): “can swim”. · Un modal va seguido del verbo en forma base (sin “to”, sin -ing): “can swim”.
should — advice
- should = advice, "it's a good idea": You should see a doctor.
- Negative shouldn't = "it's not a good idea": You shouldn't eat so late.
- It is softer and gentler than must.
should — consejos
- should = consejo, "es una buena idea": You should see a doctor.
- El negativo shouldn't = "no es una buena idea": You shouldn't eat so late.
- Es más suave y menos firme que must.
Give advice: You ___ see a doctor. (use one modal verb) · Da un consejo: You ___ see a doctor. (usa un verbo modal)
Advice → should: “You should see a doctor.” · Consejo → should: “You should see a doctor.”
Translate into English: 你应该去看医生。 · Traduce al inglés: 你应该去看医生。
Advice → should + base verb: “You should see a doctor.” · Consejo → should + verbo en forma base: “You should see a doctor.”
must / have to — obligation
- must and have to = "it's necessary": You must wear a seatbelt. I have to get up early.
- mustn't = it's forbidden: You mustn't smoke here.
- don't have to = it's not necessary: You don't have to come.
must / have to — obligación
- must y have to = "es necesario": You must wear a seatbelt. I have to get up early.
- mustn't = está prohibido: You mustn't smoke here.
- don't have to = no es necesario: You don't have to come.
What does the modal do? · ¿Qué hace el modal?
can = ability; should = advice; must / have to = obligation. · can = habilidad; should = consejo; must / have to = obligación.
“You mustn't smoke here.” — Does this mean it is forbidden? · “You mustn't smoke here.” — ¿Significa que está prohibido?
mustn't = it is forbidden. (don't have to = not necessary — different!) · mustn't = está prohibido. (don't have to = no es necesario — ¡distinto!)
Common mistakes
- ❌ You must to go. → ✓ You must go. — modals never take to.
- ❌ She musts study. → ✓ She must study. — modals never take -s.
- Careful: mustn't = not allowed; don't have to = not necessary. Opposite meanings!
Errores comunes
- ❌ You must to go. → ✓ You must go. — los modales nunca llevan to.
- ❌ She musts study. → ✓ She must study. — los modales nunca llevan -s.
- Cuidado: mustn't = no se permite; don't have to = no es necesario. ¡Significados opuestos!
Match each sentence to its meaning. · Asocia cada oración con su significado.
mustn't forbids; don't have to means it's optional; should advises; must requires. · mustn't prohíbe; don't have to significa que es opcional; should aconseja; must exige.
Complete with the past of “must”: Yesterday I ___ work late. · Completa con el pasado de “must”: Yesterday I ___ work late.
must has no past form — use had to. · must no tiene forma pasada — usa had to.
- Modals + base verb (no to, no -s).
- can / could = ability & requests; should = advice.
- must / have to = necessary; mustn't = forbidden ≠ don't have to = not necessary.
- Modales + verbo en forma base (sin to, sin -s).
- can / could = capacidad y peticiones; should = consejos.
- must / have to = necesario; mustn't = prohibido ≠ don't have to = no es necesario.
A friend is tired and stressed. Write one sentence of advice using “should”. · Un amigo está cansado y estresado. Escribe una oración de consejo usando “should”.
Example: “You should go to bed early and relax.” · Ejemplo: “You should go to bed early and relax.”