Read and learn about modal verbs!
Modal verbs are special verbs that help us express ideas like ability, permission, necessity, possibility, and obligation.
Can is used to talk about ability (what you can do) or to ask for permission.
Piemērs:
I can read Spanish.
Can I go to the bathroom?
Can I go to the bathroom?
Could is used to talk about past ability, ask for polite permission, or show a possibility.
Piemērs:
I could swim when I was a child.
Could you pass the salt, please?
It could snow tomorrow.
Could you pass the salt, please?
It could snow tomorrow.
Should is used to express advice or recommendation.
Piemērs:
They should arrive early to get good seats at the show.
You should study for the test tomorrow.
Will is used to express future actions or offers.
Piemērs:
I will help you with your homework.
Would is used to express polite requests or hypothetical situations.
Piemērs:
I would like some coffee.
If I had time, I would go to the gym.
Must is used to talk about necessity or obligation.
Piemērs:
You must wear a helmet
I must study.
I must study.
May is used to give or ask for permission (more formal) or to show a possibility.
Piemērs:
May I leave the room?
It may rain later.
It may rain later.
Might is used to express possibility or uncertainty.
Piemērs:
I might visit my grandparents this weekend.
It might snow tomorrow.
It might snow tomorrow.
Svarīgi!
Might is often used to express a lower probability or more uncertainty than may.
The structure of affirmative sentences:
Subject + modal verb + base verb
Piemērs:
I can swim.
You must finish your homework.
You must finish your homework.
The structure of negative sentences:
Subject + modal verb + not + base verb
Piemērs:
He could not come to the party.
She may not speak during the test.
She may not speak during the test.
The structure of questions:
Modal verb + subject + base verb?
Piemērs:
Can you help me?
May I come in?
May I come in?