Verbos modais em inglês: uso e exercícios

Modal Verb

Usos

Examples

Can

Habilidade, possibilidade, permissão

"I can swim." / "You can borrow my book."

Could

Habilidade no passado, pedidos educados, possibilidade

"She could run fast." / "Could you help me?"

May

Permissão, possibilidade

"You may leave early." / "It may rain."

Might

Possibilidade (menos certa do que "may")

"We might go to the park later."

Shall

Sugestões, intenção futura (formal)

"Shall we go out?" / "I shall return soon."

Should

Conselho, obrigação, expectativa

"You should study for the test."

Will

Intenção futura, promessas, certeza

"I will call you tomorrow."

Would

Polidez, situações hipotéticas

"I would like some tea." / "If I were rich, I would travel."

Must

Necessidade, obrigação forte, dedução

"You must wear a seatbelt." / "He must be tired."

Ought to

Conselho, expectativa

"You ought to apologize."

Regra

Descrição

Example

Sem infinitivo ou formas em -ing

Verbos modais não têm infinitivo, passado ou particípio.

Incorrect: "I canned do it." / Correct: "I can do it."

Seguidos pela forma base

Os modais são seguidos pela forma base do verbo (sem "to").

Example: "You should study." (Not "should to study")

Sem -s na 3ª pessoa do singular

Os modais não recebem -s na 3ª pessoa do singular.

Example: "He can swim." (Not "He cans swim")

Modal Verb

Uso

Examples

Can

Ability

"She can play the piano."

Permission

"You can use my laptop."

Possibility

"It can be very cold in January."

Could

Past Ability

"When I was younger, I could run faster."

Polite Request

"Could you help me with this?"

Possibility

"It could rain later."

May

Permission

"You may take a break now."

Possibility

"It may snow tomorrow."

Might

Possibility

"We might go to the beach if the weather improves."

Shall

Suggestions

"Shall we have dinner now?"

Formal Intentions

"I shall see to it that your request is fulfilled."

Should

Advice

"You should eat more vegetables."

Expectation

"He should arrive by 6 p.m."

Will

Future Intention

"I will call you tomorrow."

Promises

"We will never forget this day."

Would

Politeness

"Would you like some tea?"

Hypothetical Situations

"If I were you, I would apologize."

Must

Necessity

"You must wear a helmet."

Deduction

"He must be the new teacher."

Ought to

Advice

"You ought to see a doctor."

Expectation

"The train ought to arrive soon."