Modal Verbs, são um tipo especial de verbos auxiliares que alteram ou completam o sentido do verbo principal.Em Inglês, para cada situação há um modal mais adequado.
Be able to
|
Ability.
|
Can
|
Ability /
Suggestion / Request / Permission.
|
Can’t
|
Certainty that something is
impossible / Probability (0%)
|
Could
|
Past ability /
Polite / Permission / Possibility / Probability (30%)
|
Might (might not)
|
Possibility / Little
Possibility / Probability (30% or less)
|
May (may not)
|
Possibility / Formal Request /
Permission/Probability (50%)
|
Must
|
Obligation/Probability (100%)
|
Mustn’t (must + not)
|
Prohibition.
|
Have to
|
Obligation.
|
Don’t have to
|
Lack of
Obligation. (falta de obrigação)
|
Need to
|
Obligation.
|
Needn’t (need + not)
|
Lack of Obligation.
(falta de obrigação)
|
Ought to
|
Opinion /
Advice.
|
Should
|
Opinion / Advice or
Recommendation.
|
Will
|
Prediction / Spontaneous
decision.
|
Would
|
Polite
Request.
|
Exemplos:
- You are able to play tennis very well.
- I can speak English.
- You've just had lunch. You can't be hungry.
- She could go to the cinema.
- Might I talk to you?
- She might not work here any more.
- He may be in his office.
- It may not be true.
- Louise must get very bored in her job. She does the same thing every day.
- I have to work from 8.30 to 5.30 every day.
- You need to study a lot.
- Joe can stay here. He needn't come with us.
- You mustn't tell lies.
- You don't have to do it.
- You should eat more fruit.
- You ought to drive more carefully.
- Oh, it's very cold in here. I will close the window.
- Would you help me clean the house?