Modal Verbs in English

🇪🇸 Para hispanohablantes: Los verbos modales (can, should, must, would...) son auxiliares que expresan posibilidad, obligación, permiso y consejo. No tienen infinitivo ni se conjugan.

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express ability, possibility, obligation, and permission. They are followed by the base form of a verb and never change their form — no -s, no -ing, no -ed.

All Modal Verbs

canAbility / Permission🇪🇸 poder

I can speak Spanish.— Puedo hablar español.

Can I help you?— ¿Puedo ayudarte?

couldPast ability / Polite request🇪🇸 podría / pude

I could swim when I was 5.— Podía nadar cuando tenía 5 años.

Could you help me please?— ¿Podría ayudarme por favor?

shouldAdvice / Recommendation🇪🇸 debería

You should eat more vegetables.— Deberías comer más verduras.

She should see a doctor.— Debería ver a un médico.

wouldConditional / Polite request🇪🇸 pondría / condicional

I would love to visit Spain.— Me encantaría visitar España.

Would you like some coffee?— ¿Le gustaría un café?

mustStrong obligation / Deduction🇪🇸 deber / tener que

You must wear a seatbelt.— Debes ponerte el cinturón.

She must be tired.— Debe estar cansada.

mayPossibility / Formal permission🇪🇸 puede que / permiso formal

It may rain tomorrow.— Puede que llueva mañana.

May I come in?— ¿Puedo entrar?

mightWeak possibility🇪🇸 podría / quizás

I might go to the party.— Quizás vaya a la fiesta.

She might be at home.— Puede que esté en casa.

willFuture / Instant decisions🇪🇸 futuro

I will call you tomorrow.— Te llamaré mañana.

I'll have the salad please.— Tomaré la ensalada por favor.

Common Mistakes for Spanish Speakers

❌ Adding 's' to modals for he/she/it

Modal verbs NEVER change form. ❌ 'She cans speak English' ✅ 'She can speak English'. ❌ 'He musts go' ✅ 'He must go'.

❌ Using 'to' after can/must/will

Most modals are NOT followed by 'to'. ❌ 'I can to swim' ✅ 'I can swim'. Exception: 'have to', 'ought to', 'used to'.

❌ Should vs Must confusion

'Should' is advice/recommendation (deberías). 'Must' is strong obligation (debes/tienes que). 'You should exercise' = advice. 'You must wear a helmet' = rule/obligation.

❌ Can vs May for permission

Both can and may ask for permission. 'May I leave?' is more formal. 'Can I leave?' is more casual. Both are correct in modern English.

❌ Would vs Will

'Will' for definite future plans. 'Would' for conditional or polite requests. 'I will go' = definite. 'I would go if I had time' = conditional.

Quick Practice Quiz

Question 1 of 5Score: 0

You ___ study harder. (Deberías estudiar más.)

More English Conjugation Guides

To Be →To Have →Present Perfect →Present Continuous →