MODALS VERBS

MODALS VERBS: ABILITY, PERMISSION, ADVICE, CRITICISM, OBLIGATION

We can use modals and semi-modals to express permission, ability, obligation, advice and criticism.

- PERMISSION: Can/ Could/ May

- Can I stay at Pauline´s house tonight?

¿Puedo quedarme en la casa de Pauline esta noche?

- ABILITY: Can/ Could

- Nate can play the guitar really well.

Nate puede tocar la guitarra muy bien.

- I couldn´t swim until I was five years old.

Yo no sabía nadar hasta que tenía cinco años de edad

- OBLIGATION: Must/ Have to

- You must be home by eleven o´clock.

Tienes que estar en casa a las once.

- Do I have to be home by eleven o´clock?

¿Tengo que estar en casa a las once?

- ADVICE/ CRITICISM: Ought to/ Should

- You ought to/ should take a break. You´ve been working too hard.

Usted debe / debería tomar un descanso. Has estado trabajando demasiado duro.

- You ought to/ should have booked tickets before hand.

Usted debe / debería haber reservado boletos antes de la mano.