The Logic of
Modal Verbs
Modals are like volume knobs. They adjust the intensity of reality, obligation, and ability. Los modales son como perillas de volumen. Ajustan la intensidad de la realidad, la obligación y la habilidad.
Probability Meter
MIGHT
50% Possible
The 4 Iron Rules
Break these rules, and the grammar breaks. Rompe estas reglas y la gramática se rompe.
NO 'TO'
Modals are followed by the Base Verb directly.
I can swim.
I can to swim.
You should eat.
You should to eat.
We will go.
We will to go.
NO '-S'
They never change form for He/She/It.
She must go.
She musts go.
It may rain.
It mays rain.
He can drive.
He cans drive.
NO DO/DON'T
Questions/Negatives use the modal itself.
Can you help?
Do you can help?
Should I stay?
Do I should stay?
Would you like?
Do you would like?
NO PAST (-ED)
Use 'Have + V3' for past meaning.
I could have gone.
I canned go.
She might have seen.
She mighted see.
They must have left.
They musted leave.
The Probability Scale
Are you guessing or are you sure? ¿Estás adivinando o estás seguro?
MUST
You have evidence. It's the only logical conclusion.
"The lights are on. She must be home."
Debe estar en casa (Estoy seguro).MIGHT / MAY / COULD
It's possible, but you don't know.
"He isn't here. He might be sick."
Podría estar enfermo (Quizás).CAN'T
You are sure it is NOT true. (Negative of Must).
"It can't be John. He is in Paris."
No puede ser John (Estoy seguro que no).The Obligation Spectrum
Is it a law, a personal rule, or just a good idea? ¿Es una ley, una regla personal o solo una buena idea?
Obligation
"You have to wear a seatbelt."
Tienes que (Es la ley)."I must call my mom."
Debo llamar (Yo creo que es importante).The Negative Trap
"You mustn't smoke."
No debes (Prohibido)."You don't have to pay."
No tienes por qué (Es opcional).Advice & Warning
SHOULD
"You should study."
Deberías (Consejo general).OUGHT TO
"You ought to apologize."
Deberías (Más formal/moral).HAD BETTER
"You had better run."
Más te vale correr (Amenaza/Urgencia).The Time Machine
To talk about the past, add HAVE + Participio (V3). Para hablar del pasado, añade HAVE + Participio.
Complete Guide to Past Modals
MUST HAVE + V3 (Deduction)
"He must have arrived."
Debe haber llegado (99% seguro).CAN'T HAVE + V3 (Negative Deduction)
"She can't have said that."
No puede haber dicho eso (Imposible).MIGHT / MAY HAVE + V3 (Possibility)
"They might have got lost."
Podrían haberse perdido (Quizás).COULD HAVE + V3 (Past Possibility)
"You could have died!"
Podrías haber muerto (Pero no pasó).SHOULD / OUGHT TO HAVE (Regret)
"You should have studied."
Deberías haber estudiado (Arrepentimiento).NEEDN'T HAVE + V3 (Unnecessary Action)
"I needn't have brought it."
No hacía falta traerlo (Pero lo traje).WOULD HAVE + V3 (Conditional)
"I would have called you."
Te habría llamado (Si hubiera podido).WILL HAVE + V3 (Certainty/Prediction)
"They will have arrived by now."
Habrán llegado ya (Estoy seguro/Suposición).Modal Master Challenge
- L1: Deduction (Must/Can't)
- L2: Obligation (Must/Have to)
- L3: Past Modals
- L4: Ability (Can/Able to)
- Boss: Mixed Traps
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