A1 Elemental
Modal verbs
In this topic, we will learn the verbs "must" , "may" and "should" , they all have the same form for all persons:
must- used show that it is necessary or very important
may - to say that someone has permission in a formal way
shauld - used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do
Ejemplo
I can feed my dog
I must feed my dog
I may fedd my dog
I should feed my dog
Must
You must listen to the teacher!
I must leave now
You use must to indicate thar you think it is very importat or necessary for something to happen.
Must has no future and past tense forms , therefore in these tenses it is always replaced by have to.
I will have to leave soon
I had to leave
May
May can be used to describe two ideas:
1. Posssibility ( in the past , present or future)
2. Permission
You may stay here
In the past tense may has the form might , and might can also be used in the present, and this is considered a more polite form of may :
He said you minght stay here
In the future , may has no form and uses the constructions be allowed to , be permitted and others depending on the passed value.
You will be allowed to stay here
Should
Should is a modal verb most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
You should do it now
In the past and future tnese, should doesn't change:
You should do it tomorrow