UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE

NCLEO DE BOLVAR
UNIDAD DE ESTUDIOS BSICOS
DEPARTAMENTO SOCIOHUMANSTICO
ASIGNATURA: INGLS INSTRUMENTAL
PROF: NGEL AVILEZ

GUA DE INGLS INSTRUMENTAL

Unidad VI. Modales Auxiliares
MODAL AUXILIARIES
The modal auxiliaries in English are can, could, had better, may, might, must, ought (to), shall,
should, will, would.
Modal auxiliaries generally express speakers attitudes. For example, modals can express that a
speaker feels something is necessary, advisable, permissible, possible, or probable; and, in
addition, they can convey the strength of those attitudes.
Modals do not take a final -s, even when the
Basic Modals
subject is she, he, or it.

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Can do it
Could do it
Had better do it
May do it
Might do it
Must do it
Ought to do it
Shall do it
Should do it
Will do it
Would do it

CORRECT: She can do it.

INCORRECT: She cans do it.
Modals are followed immediately by the simple
form of a verb.
CORRECT: She can do it.
INCORRECT: She can to do it. / She can does it. /
She can did it.
The only exception is ought, which is followed by
an infinitive (to + the simple form of a verb).
CORRECT: He ought to go to the meeting.

Phrasal Modals
Be able to do it
Be going to do it
Be supposed to do it
Have to do it
Have got to do it
Used to do it

Phrasal modals are common expressions

whose meanings are similar to those of some
of the modal auxiliaries. For example: be able
to is similar to can; be going to is similar to
will.
An infinitive (to + the simple form of a verb)
is used in these similar expressions.

The ten modal auxiliaries are: can/could, will/would, shall/should-ought to,

may/might, and must. They differ from the other auxiliaries (do, be, have) in that they have
no s-form, ing-form, or participle. Furthermore, the so-called past form of modals
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sometimes express the same meaning as the present or simple forms. They also occur in
statements which refer to future time. Thus we must remember that the form of a modal
does not necessarily indicate the time reference of the sentence in which it is used.

In addition, verb phrases with negated modals do not always express the opposite of
affirmative ones; questions asked with one modal sometimes require answers expressed
with another. All in all, the meanings of modals are very complex indeed.
Most of these words form contractions with not, the common ones being cant,
couldnt, wont, wouldnt, shouldnt, mightnt, mustnt, may, ought, and shall are seldom
contracted in American English. Will and would also form contractions with subject
pronouns. Contractions with would are Id, youd, hed, shed, itd, wed, theyd.
Contractions with pronouns are never used in sentences final position.

The best way to master the use of modals is to observe how they are used in situations
and to practice making sentences like the ones you hear, always making absolutely sure of
the meaning of what you are saying. The sentences in the model paragraphs and the
explanations on the next few pages should help you understand some of the complexities of
these unusual words.
1. Can/could (ability, possibility, opportunity, permission)

El modal can, como el verbo espaol poder, indica una posibilidad o una capacidad.
En preguntas, se utiliza can para solicitar permiso de hacer algo o sea para preguntar
sobre una posibilidad.
EXERCISE 1. Forms of modals
Directions: All of these contain errors in the forms of modals. Correct the errors.
1. She can to see it.
2. She cans see it.
3. She can sees it.
4. She can saw it.

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5. Can you please to pass the rice?

6. Do you can see it?
7. They dont can go there.

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9- Could: Su significado en espaol vara de acuerdo al tiempo expresado, porque puede

expresar presente, futuro o pasado. Se utiliza para:

Indica que la habilidad o capacidad existi en el pasado pero no existe ahora, como
pasado de can. En este caso puede significar pude, pudiste, pudo, pudimos,
pudieron.
Hacer sugerencias y tiene significado de podra o podras, en presente o en futuro.
Expresar imposibilidad en tiempo pasado (solamente en la forma negativa).
En las preguntas de s o no, could especula sobre unas posibilidades en el presente o
el futuro.
2. Will/would (promise, agreement, request)
Would: Este verbo modal al igual que will actual sobre el verbo base que le sigue, al cual
se le agrega la terminacin a, -as, amos, an. Puede ser utilizado:
Would es ms comn y es frecuentemente considerado ms amable que will. El
grado de amabilidad, sin embargo, es a menudo determinado por el tono de voz del
hablante.
Would se utiliza mucho en oraciones condicionales de 2 clusulas, introducidas por
if.
El modal would seguido de la palabra like es una manera corts de indicar una
preferencia. En preguntas, would like es una forma de corts para solicitar una
decisin.
Would introduzca unas acciones habituales del pasado.
3. Shall/should/ought to (advisability, obligation, expectation, change)
Should/ Ought to: Ambos modales significan debera, deberamos, deberan dependiendo
del sujeto de la oracin. Se usan con el propsito de:
Expresar recomendacin o consejo en el presente, pasado y futuro.
Expresar un 90% de seguridad en los tiempos pasado y futuro, solamente.
En preguntas, se usa should para saber si existe una obligacin. En el ingls
americano nunca se usa ought to en preguntas.

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Shall & Will

Los modales will / shall + verbo principal forma el tiempo futuro y indican una
intencin o una accin que pasar en el futuro.
No hay diferencia entre estos dos modales al usarlos en afirmaciones.
Shall pregunta sobre preferencias o recomendaciones. En estos casos, shall y should
son sinnimos. En ingls americano el uso de shall es muy raro, y se encuentra
solamente en la primera persona.
4. May/might (permission and conjecture)
May & Might
Los modales may y might son sinnomos y indican una accin que puede pasar en
el futuro.
Es posible sustituir may con can al dar instrucciones o permiso.
Es posible sustituir may con can en las preguntas de s o no. La palabra may es ms
cortes.
Es posible utilizar might en lugar de may o can. Sin embargo, en el ingls
americano el uso de might en este contexto es muy raro.
May: El significado de este verbo es poder en tiempo presente. Se utiliza usualmente para:
Expresar la idea de que algo es posible o probable y su significado es poder en
tiempo presente (puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, pueden)
Solicitar y dar permiso al igual que can, pero de manera formal, tanto en el presente
como en el futuro.
Might: Al igual que could, su significado en espaol vara de acuerdo al tiempo expresado,
porque puede expresar presente, futuro o pasado. Se utiliza frecuentemente para:
5. Must (necessity, abstention, deduction)
Must
El modal must indica obligacin.
Must puede indicar probabilidades o suposiciones.

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 En las preguntas informativas, la palabra must indica una obligacin y puede ser
sinnimo con should. En el ingls americano should es mucho ms corriente en este
contexto.
Se puede usar must para preguntas retricas.
Expresar una fuerte necesidad en el presente.
POLITE REQUESTS WITH I AS THE SUBJECT
May I
Could I

1. May I (please) borrow your pen?

2. Could I borrow your pen (please)?

Can I

3. Can I borrow your pen?

TYPICAL RESPONSES
Certainly. Yes, certainly.
Of course. Yes, of course.
Sure, (informal)

May I and could I are used to request

permission. They are equally polite.*
Note in (2): In a polite request, could has a
present or future meaning, not a past
meaning.
Can I is used informally to request
permission, especially if the speaker is
talking to someone s/he knows fairly well.
Can I is usually considered a little less polite
than may I or could I.
Often the response to a polite request is an
action, such as a nod or shake of the head, or
a simple uh-huh.

* Might is also possible: Might I borrow your pen? Might I is quite formal and polite; it is
used much less frequently than may I or could I.
POLITE REQUESTS WITH YOU AS THE SUBJECT
Would you
Will You

1. Would you pass the salt (please)?

2. Will you (please) pass the salt?

Could you

3. Could you pass the salt (please)?

Can You

4. Can you (please) pass the salt?

TYPICAL RESPONSES
Yes, Id (I would) be happy to/be glad to.

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The meaning of would you and will you

in a polite request is the same. Would
you is more common and is often
considered more polite. The degree of
politeness,
however,
is
often
determined by the speakers tone of
voice.
Basically, could you and would you
have the same meaning. The difference
is slight:
Would you Do you want to do this
please?
Could you = Do you want to do this
phase, and is it possible for you to do
this?
Could you and would you are equally
polite.
Can you is often used informally. It
usually sounds less polite than could
you or would you.
A person usually responds in the
affirmative to a polite request. If a

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Certainly.
Sure, (informal)

INCORRECT: May you pass the salt?

negative response is necessary, a person

might begin by saying Id like to, but .
. . (e.g., Id like to pass the salt, but I
cant reach it).
May is used only with / or we in polite
requests.

EXPRESSING NECESSITY: MUST, HAVE TO

1. All applicants must take an entrance exam,

Must and have to both express necessity.

In (1) and (2): It is necessary for every applicant
2. All applicants have to take an entrance to take an entrance exam. There is no other
exam.
choice. The exam is required.
3. Im looking for Sue. I have to talk to her In everyday statements of necessity, have to is
about our lunch date tomorrow. I cant meet used more commonly than must. Must is usually
her for lunch because I have to go to a stronger than have to and can indicate urgency
business meetingat 1:00.
or stress importance. In (3): The speaker is
simply saying, I need to do this, and I need to
4. Wheres Sue? I must talk to her right away. do that. In (4): The speaker is strongly saying,
I have an urgent message for her.
This is very important!
5. I have to (hafta) be home by eight,
Note: have to is usually pronounced hafta;
has to is usually pronounced hasta.
6. He has to (hasta) go to a meeting tonight.
PRESENT or FUTURE
The idea of past necessity is expressed by had
I have to /have got to /must study tonight.
to.
PAST
I had to study last night.

There is no other past form for must (when it

means necessity) or have got to.

LACK OF NECESSITY AND PROHIBITION: HAVE TO AND MUST IN THE

NEGATIVE
LACK OF NECESSITY
1. Tomorrow is a holiday. We dont have to
go to class.
2. I can hear you. You dont have to shout.*
PROHIBITION
3. You must not look in the closet. Your
birthday present is hidden there.
4. You must not tell anyone my secret. Do
you promise?

When used in the negative, must and have to

have different meanings.
do not have to - lack of necessity
In (1): It is not necessary for us to go to class
tomorrow because it is a holiday.
must not = prohibition (DO NOT DO THIS!)
In (3): Do not look in the closet. I forbid it.
Looking in the closet is prohibited.
Negative contraction: mustnt. (The first t is
silent: muss-ant.)

*Lack of necessity may also be expressed by need not + the simple form of a verb: You
neednt shout. The use of neednt as an auxiliary is chiefly British except in certain
common expressions such as You neednt worry.

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EXERCISE 2. HAVE TO and MUST in the negative

Directions: Use must not or do not have to in the following.
1. Ive already finished all my work, so I dont have to study tonight. I think Ill read
for a while.
2. I must not forget to take my key with me.
3. You __________________________ introduce me to Dr. Gray. Weve already met.
4. In order to be a good salesclerk, you ___________________ be rude to a customer.
5. A person __________________________ become rich and famous in order to live a
successful life.
6. Johnny! You _____________________ play with sharp knives. Put that knife down
immediately!
7. I _________________________________ go to the doctor. Im feeling much better.
8. We ________________ go to the concert if you dont want to, but it might be good.
9. Robin! What are you doing? No, no, no. You _______________________ put your
vitamin pill in your nose!
10. Bats _____________________ see in order to avoid obstacles. They can navigate in
complete darkness.
11. If you encounter a growling dog, you __________________ show any signs of fear.
If a dog senses fear, it is more likely to attack a person.
12. A person ________________ get married in order to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

ADVISABILITY: SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER

(1) You should study harder.
You ought to study harder.
(2) Drivers should obey the speed limit.
Drivers ought to obey the speed limit.

(3) You shouldnt leave your keys in the car.

(4) I ought to (otta) study tonight, but I think
Ill watch TV instead.
(5) The gas tank is almost empty. We had better

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Should and ought to have the same meaning:

they express advisability. The meaning ranges
in strength from a suggestion (This is a good
idea) to a statement about responsibility or
duty (This is a very important thing to do). In
(1): This is a good idea. This is my advice. In
(2): This is an important responsibility.
Negative contraction: shouldnt*
Ought to is often pronounced otta in informal
speaking.
In meaning, had better is close to should/ought
to, but had better is usually stronger. Often had

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stop at the next service station.

(6) You had better take care of that cut on your
hand soon, or it will get infected.

(7) Youd better take care of it.

(8) You better take care of it.
(9) Youd better not be late.

better implies a warning or a threat of possible

bad consequences. In (5): If we dont stop at a
service station, there will be a bad result. We
will run out of gas.
Notes on the use of had better:
It has a present or future meaning.
It is followed by the simple form of a verb.
It is more common in speaking than writing.
Contraction: d better, as in (7).
Sometimes in speaking, had is dropped, as in
(8).
Negative form: had better + not.

*Ought to is not commonly used in the negative. If it is used in the negative, the to is
sometimes dropped: You oughtnt (to) leave your keys in the car.
EXERCISE 3. SHOULD vs. MUST/HAVE TO
Directions: Use either should or must I have to in the following. In some sentences either
is possible, but the meaning is different. Discuss the meanings of the completions. ,
1. A person must/has to eat in order to live.
2. A person should eat a balanced diet.
3. If you want to become a doctor, you _______________ go to medical school for
many years.
4. I dont have enough money to take the bus, so I ___________________ walk home.
5. Walking is good exercise. You say you want to get more exercise. You __________
walk to and from work instead of taking the bus.
6. We __________________________ go to Colorado for our vacation.
7. According to my advisor, I ______________________ take another English course.
8. Rice ___________________________ have water in order to grow.
9. This pie is very good. You __________________ try a piece.
10. This pie is excellent! You _________________________ try a piece.

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THE PAST FORM OF SHOULD

(1) I had a test this morning. I didnt do well on
the test because I didnt study for it last night. I
should have studied last night.
(2) You were supposed to be here at 10 P.M.,
but you didnt come until midnight. We were
worried about you. You should have called us.
(You did not call.)
(3) My back hurts. I should not have carried
that heavy box up two flights of stairs. (I carried
the box, and now Im sorry.)

Past form: should have + past participle.*

In (1): I should have studied means that
studying was a good idea, but I didnt do it. I
made a mistake.
Usual pronunciation of should have: shouldav or should-a.
In (3): / should not have carried means that I
carried something, but it turned out to be a bad
idea. I made a mistake.
Usual pronunciation of should not have:
shouldnt-av or shouldnt-a.

(4) We went to a movie, but it was a waste of

time and money. We should not have gone to
the movie.
*The past form of ought to is ought to have + past participle. (I ought to have studied.) It has the
same meaning as the past form of should. In the past, should is used more commonly than ought to.
Had better is used only rarely in a past form (e.g., He had better have taken care of it) and usually
only in speaking, not writing.

EXERCISE 4. The past form of SHOULD.

Directions: Discuss or write what you think the people in the following situations should
have done and should not have done.
Example:
Tom didnt study for the test. During the exam he panicked and started looking at other
students test papers. He didnt think the teacher saw him, but she did. She warned him
once to stop cheating, but he continued. As a result, the teacher took Toms test paper, told
him to leave the room, and failed him on the exam.

Tom should have studied for the test.

He shouldnt have panicked during the test.
He shouldnt have started cheating.
He should have known the teacher would see him cheating.
He should have stopped cheating after the first warning.
The teacher should have ripped up Toms paper and sent him out of the room the
first time she saw him cheating.

1. John and his wife, Julie, had good jobs as professionals in New York City. John was
offered a high-paying job in Chicago, which he immediately accepted. Julie was
shocked when he came home that evening and told her the news. She liked her job
and the people she worked with, and did not want to move away and look for
another job.

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2. Ann agreed to meet her friend Carl at the library to help him with his chemistry
homework. On the way, she stopped at a cafe where her boyfriend worked. Her
boyfriend told her he could get off work early that night, so the two of them decided
to go to a movie. Ann didnt cancel her plans with Carl. Carl waited for three hours
at the library.
3. For three years, Donna had been saving her money for a trip to Europe. Her brother,
Larry, had a good job, but spent all of his money on expensive cars, clothes, and
entertainment. Suddenly, Larry was fired from his job and had no money to support
himself while he looked for another one. Donna lent him nearly all of her savings,
and within three weeks he spent it all on his car, more clothes, and expensive
restaurants.
4. Sarah often exaggerated and once told a co-worker that she was fluent in French
even though she had studied only a little and could not really communicate in the
language. A few days later, her boss asked her to come to his office to interpret a
meeting with a French businessman who had just arrived from Paris to negotiate a
major contract with the company. After an embarrassed silence, Sarah told her boss
that she was feeling ill and had to go home immediately.
MAKING SUGGESTIONS: COULD VS. SHOULD
What should we do tomorrow?
(1) Why dont we go on a picnic?
(2) We could go on a picnic.

Could can be used to make suggestions, (1) and

(2) are similar in meaning: the speaker is
suggesting a picnic.

Im having trouble in math class.

(3) You should talk to your teacher.
(4) Maybe you should talk to your teacher.

Should gives definite advice. In (3), the speaker

is saying: I believe it is important for you to do
this.

Im having trouble in math class.

(5) You could talk to your teacher. Or you
could ask Ann to help you with your math
lessons. Or I could try to help you.

This is what I recommend. In (4), the use of

maybe softens the strength of the advice.

I failed my math class.

(6) You should have talked to your teacher and
gotten some help from her during the term.
I failed my math class.
(7) You could have talked to your teacher. Or
you could have asked Ann to help you with
your math. Or I could have tried to help you.

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Could offers suggestions or possibilities. In (5),

the speaker is saying: I have some possible
suggestions for you. It is possible to do this. Or
it is possible to do that.*
Should have gives hindsight advice.** In (6),
the speaker is saying: It was important for you
to talk to the teacher, but you didnt do it. You
made a mistake.
Could have offers hindsight possibilities.**
In (7), the speaker is saying: You had the
chance to do this or that. It was possible for this
or that to happen. You missed some good
opportunities.

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*Might (but not may) can also be used to make suggestions (You might talk to your teacher), but he
use of could is more common.
**Hindsight refers to looking at something after it happens.

THE PASSIVE FORM OF MODALS

The passive form:
1 Tom
will
2 The window cant
3 Children
should
4
may i
5 This book
had better
6 This letter
ought to
7 Mary
has to
The past-passive form:
1 The letter
should
2 This house
must
3 Jack
ought to

modal* +
be
be
be
be
be
be
be
Modal +
have been
have been
have been

Be +
past participle
invited
to the picnic.
opened.
taught
to respect their elders.
excused
from class?
returned
to the library before Friday.
sent
before June 1st.
told
about our change in plans.
Have been +
past participle
sent
last week.
built
over 200 years ago.
invited
to the party.

EXERCISE 5. Passive modals

Directions: Use the verb in parentheses with the modal or phrasal modal that sounds best to
you. All of the sentences are passive.
1. The entire valley (see) can be seen from their mountain home.
2. He is wearing a gold band on his fourth finger. He (marry)____________________
______________________________.
3. According to our teacher, all of our compositions (write)______________________
____________________in ink. He won't accept papers written in pencil.
4. I found this book on my desk when I came to class. It (leave) __________________
_____________________________ by one of the students in the earlier class.
5. Five of the committee members will be unable to attend the next meeting. In my
opinion, the meeting (postpone)_______________________________________ .
6. A child (give, not)______________________________ everything he or she wants.
7. Your daughter has a good voice. Her interest in singing (encourage)_____________
_____________________________
8. Try to speak slowly when you give your speech. If you don't, some of your words
(misunderstand)__________________________________________ .

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9. Some UFO sightings (explain, not)_________________________________ easily.

They are inexplicable.
10. What? You tripped over a chair at the party and dropped your plate of food into a
woman's lap? You (embarrass)________________________________________ .
Necessity: must & mustnt. Ex. I must go to the bank.
Obligation and advice: should, ought to. Ex. You should answer the letter.
Permission: can, could, may, might. Ex. We can leave our luggage at the hotel.
Certainty: will, must and cant. Ex. Mandy will be in London now.
Probability: should and ought to. Ex. The rain should stop soon.
Possibility: may, might, can and could. Ex. The keys may be in my coat pocket.
Ability: can, could and be able to. Ex. Most people can swim.
Unreal situations: would. Ex. Six weeks holidays would be nice.
BIBLIOGRAFA:
Eastwood, J. (1994). Oxford Guide to English Grammar. Oxford University. E.E.U.U.
Oxford.
Pez, M. (2007) Ingls Instrumental Agrobiolgico. Dirigido a Estudiantes y Profesores de
la Universidad de Oriente, Ncleo Bolvar. Universidad de Oriente, Ciudad Bolvar.
Praninskas, J. (1975). Rapid Review of English Grammar. A Text for Students of English as
a Second Language. (2 ed.). E.E.U.U.: Prentice-hall.
Schrampfer-Azar, B. (2002). Understanding and Using English Grammar. With Answer
Key. (3 ed.). E.E.U.U.: Longman.
Verbos Modales. E Learn English Language. English Lessons for Native and Non-Native
Speakers.
http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/blog/aprendaingles/gramatica/verbos-modales1/

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