Modal Verbs en Inglés: Guía Completa de Uso con Ejemplos

Sentence: group of words that transmits a message.

Phrase: group of words that doesn't transmit a message.

Clause: is a group of words that has a subject and predicate, similar to a sentence, but doesn't transmit a message.

Relative clause: Gives a description about a noun.

Had Better

We use "had better" plus the infinitive without "to" to give advice. Although "had" is the past form of "have", we use "had better" to give advice about the present or future.

You'd better tell her everything.

I'd better get back to work.

The negative form is "had better not".

You'd better not say anything.

I'd better not come.

Ought

We use ought in three main ways:

To express the view that something is the right thing to do, because it's morally correct, polite, or someone's duty:

You ought to admit that you made a mistake.
They ought not to be allowed to damage property without paying compensation.

To predict that something is fairly likely or expected, based on normal circumstances or logic:

The weather oughtn't to be cold in May.

To offer or ask for advice or recommendations:

If you haven't read the book, then you ought to see the movie.
What ought to be done to improve things?

Should

Here are the three main meanings of should:

To talk about what we think is the right or correct thing to do, especially from the point of view of duty or appropriateness:

All employees should be provided with a proper job description.
Children shouldn't be allowed to watch too much TV.

To give or ask for advice or suggestions:

I told Kathy she should try to get some rest.
Can you recommend any exercises, or should I see a doctor?

To predict that something will probably happen or is expected to be the case, based on logic or a typical situation:

My sister's on her way, she should be here soon.

By next month I should have enough money to buy a car.

Can

Used to express ability (to be able to do something):

I can make jewelry.

He can't speak French.

Used to ask for permission:

Can I use your bathroom?

Can I leave now?

Used to make requests or suggestions:

Can I have more napkins?

Can I have the bill?

Could

Describes an ability that someone had in the past:

I could swim when I was young.

You could see the boat sinking.

Often used in auxiliary functions to express permission politely:

Could I take this jacket with me?

You could borrow my umbrella.

Used to express possibility:

All of them could ride in the van.

You could always stay at our house.

May

Used to ask for formal permission:

May I come in?

May I say something now?

Used to suggest something that is possible:

She may agree with this plan.

They may not be happy about what happened.

Might (past form of may)

Used to suggest a smaller possibility than may does (actually, might is more common than may in American English):

He might have finished it.

I might go see a doctor.

I might not come this time.

Must

Used to express something formally required or necessary:

I must complete the project by this week.

The government must provide health care for everybody.

Everyone must save the natural resources of the earth.

Used to show that something is very likely:

He must be a genius.

You must be joking!