Los verbos modales muestran posibilidad, intención, habilidad o
necesidad. Debido a que son un tipo de verbo auxiliar (verbo auxiliar), se
usan junto con el verbo principal de la oración. Los ejemplos
comunes incluyen can, should y must.
Los verbos
modales pueden ser complicados, especialmente cuando se trata de usarlos en una
oración. La buena noticia es que son simples una vez que aprendes cómo
funcionan. A continuación, te explicamos todo lo que necesitas saber para
usar los verbos modales con facilidad.
¿Qué son
los verbos modales?
Los verbos
modales se usan para expresar ciertas condiciones hipotéticas, como consejos,
capacidad o solicitudes (hay una lista completa en la siguiente
sección). Se usan junto con un verbo principal para cambiar ligeramente su
significado. Debido a que son verbos auxiliares, no necesariamente se
pueden usar solos. (Un verbo modal solo debe aparecer solo si está claro
por el contexto cuál es el verbo principal).
Considere
la diferencia entre estos dos ejemplos:
I swim every Tuesday.
I can swim every Tuesday.
The first example is a simple factual statement. The
speaker participates in a swimming activity every week on Tuesdays.
The second example uses the modal verb can. Notice
how the meaning changes slightly. The speaker does not swim every
Tuesday; they’re saying they are capable of swimming every Tuesday if they need
to. It’s hypothetical.
Los verbos modales son bastante comunes en inglés y probablemente los
hayas visto cientos de veces sin saber realmente su nombre. Los más
utilizados son:
can
may
might
could
should
would
will
must
Likelihood
Some things seem likely, but we don’t know for sure. In
these cases, you can use the modal verbs should and must to
show probability without certainty.
Her parents must be so proud.
My baby brother should be asleep by now.
Possibility
In situations when something is possible but not certain,
use the modal verbs could, may, or might.
Judging by the clouds, it might rain today.
She may become the youngest pro soccer player ever.
Ability
The modal verb can shows whether or not
the subject is able to do something, such as perform an action or demonstrate
an ability. Likewise, the negative form, cannot or can’t,
shows that the subject is unable to do something.
She can speak three languages, but none of them
well.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it
drink.
Asking permission
If you want to ask permission to do something, start your
question with can, may, or could.
Traditionally, in more formal and polite usage, may is better for
permission; if you ask “can I go to the bathroom?” it could be misinterpreted
as, “do I have the ability to go to the bathroom?” (However, in modern
usage may and can are both perfectly acceptable options
when describing possibility or permission.)
May I leave early today?
Could I play too?
Request
Similarly, if you want to ask someone else to do
something, start your question with will, would, can, or could.
Would you get that box off the top shelf?
Will you turn that music down?
Suggestion/advice
What if you want to recommend something, but not command
it? If you’re giving suggestions or advice without ordering someone around, you
can use the modal verb should.
You should try the lasagna.
That guy should wear less cologne.
Command
On the other hand, if you want to command someone, use
the modal verbs must, have to, or need to.
You must wash your hands before cooking.
You need to be here before 8:00.
Obligation or necessity
Modal verbs can express a necessary action, such as an
obligation, duty, or requirement. Likewise, the negative form expresses that an
action is not necessary. Use the same modal verbs as with
commands: must, have to, or need to.
We have to wait for our boss to arrive before we
open.
You don’t need to come if you don’t want to.
Habit
To show an ongoing or habitual action—something the
subject does regularly—you can use the modal verb would for
the past tense and will for the present and future. The
phrase used to is also acceptable if you’re talking about a
habit that no longer exists.
When I lived alone, I would fall asleep with music.
I will arrive early and leave late to every
meeting.
