Topic Summaries

Modal verbs

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  • Modal verbs are special verbs that help you express ability, obligation, desire, or knowledge (e.g. can, must, have to, want, etc.).
  • They are always followed by another verb in its basic form (infinitive), like: estudiar (to study), comer (to eat), salir (to leave), etc.
  • Structure: [Person] + [modal verb – conjugated] + [infinitive verb]
  • Note: The indication of person e.g yo, el, ella, ellos, etc. is optional.
  • Example: (Yo) debo estudiar. (I must study.)
Modal verb Meaning
deber should/must
poder can/to be able to
querer to want
tener que to have to
saber to know how to
quisiera I would like (to)
(me/te/le/les/os gustaría) (I/you/he or she or you formal/they all) would like (to)
  • Examples:
    • Yo debo estudiar para el examen. (I must study for the exam.)
    • Debes beber agua. (You should drink water.)
    • Yo puedo hablar. (I can speak.)
    • ¿Puedes venir mañana? (Can you come tomorrow?)
    • Quiero comer. (I want to eat.)
    • ¿Tu quieres salir conmigo? (Do you want to go out with me?)
    • Tengo que trabajar hoy. (I have to work today.)
    • Tienes que hacer la tarea. (You have to do the homework.)
    • nadar muy bien. (I know how to swim very well.)
    • ¿Sabes tocar la guitarra? (Do you know how to play the guitar?)
    • Quisiera reservar una mesa. (I would like to reserve a table.)
    • Me gustaría viajar a México. (I would like to travel to Mexico.)
    • ¿Te gustaría ir al cine? (Would you like to go to the cinema?)

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