VERBELE MODALE

I. CAN
I. 1 ABILITATE/POSIBILITATE de a face ceva
Cu CAN

Prezent CAN , trecut WAS/WERE ALBLE TO, viitor WILL BE ABLE TO.

Prezent
CAN (BE ABLE TO) – ABILITATE

I CAN PLAY TENNIS

I CAN’T OPEN THIS BOTTLE

Trecut
COULD – ABILITITATE – FRECVENTA
Ex. When I was young I could play tennis.

WAS/WERE ABLE TO/ MANAGED TO/SUCCEEDED IN – ABILITATE-

OCAZIONALA
Ex. I was able to finish the report even if information was missing.
Were you able to/Did you manage to speak with him before he left home?
No, I’m sorry I wasn’t able/I didn’t manage to talk with him.

To manage to + infinitive
To succeed in + verb + ing

In cazul verbelor referitoare la simturi SEE, HEAR, SMELL, FEEL, TASTE

Sau in cazul verbelor referitoare la procesarea gandurilor UNDERSTAND, BELIEVE,
REMEMBER, DECIDED folosim COULD in loc de ABLE TO, SUCCEEDED, etc,
chiar daca ne referim la o anumite ocazii

Ex. I could smell the garlic on his breath.

I can feel you beside me but I can’t see you.

NEGATIA

UNABLE TO/ NOT ABLE TO/ NOT SUCCED IN/ NOT MANAGE TO

De retinut este faptul ca UNABLE TO este forma alternative la NOT BE ABLE TO iar
SUCCEED IN este usor mai formal decat MANAGE TO.
 I. 2 CERERI/ RUGAMINTE/ PERMISIUNE CU “CAN” – INFORMAL

Ex. Can you buy me a drink? Can you make up a cup of coffee?
Can I sit here?
Pentru cereri formale se foloseste COULD, MAY, MIGHT

EX. Could you pass me the salt?

May I open the window?
When being polite, or wanting to show respect, 'could' is a better choice
than can as it is a more polite form than 'can.

'Might' is rarely used in this way as it's considered old fashioned usage,
however, educated and polite people still use modals to indicate politeness
and show respect.

I. 3 POSIBILITATE cu CAN

Ex. I don’t think this car CAN be repaired.

CAN vodka be frozen?

I. 4 DEDUCERI NEGATIVE CU “CAN”

Ex. She can’t be married. She is only 16.

Obs. Cand ne referim la o deducere pozitiva utilizam MUST.

Ex. She must be married. She is 30.

I. 5 CAPACITATEA NATURALA SAU MODUL DE A FI AL CUIVA

Ex. He can be very funny.

Valencia can get very hot in the summer.

II. COULD
II. 1 TRECUTUL LUI CAN (ABILITATE)

COULD – ABILITITAE ( a sti sa faca ceva) – FRECVENTA

Ex. When I was young I could play tennis.

POSIBILITATE de a face ceva TRECUTUL LUI CAN

Ex. I tried to open the bottle but I couldn’t
In cazul verbelor referitoare la simturi SEE, HEAR, SMELL, FEEL, TASTE
Sau in cazul verbelor referitoare la procesarea gandurilor UNDERSTAND, BELIEVE,
REMEMBER, DECIDED folosim COULD in loc de ABLE TO, SUCCEEDED, etc,
chiar daca ne referim la o anumite ocazii

Ex. I could smell the garlic on his breath.

I can feel you beside me but I can’t see you

II. 2 CONDITIONAL

Pentru exprimarea conditionalului se foloseste COULD sau WOULD BE ABLE TO.

Ex. We could get a car next year if we didn’t have a holiday this summer.

II. 3 CERERI/ RUGAMINTE/ PERMISIUNE FORMALE

EX. Could you pass me the salt?

II. 4 PERMISIUNEA in loc de BE ALLOWED TO

We can also use 'could' to say that someone was allowed to do something in
the past. We use 'could not' or, 'couldn't,' to say that they were NOT allowed
to do it.

Example:
We could go to any shop in the mall we wanted to.
Both staff and students could use the ice rink.
We couldn't study in the library after 6 pm.

We use 'be allowed to' when talking about permission but not in the sense
that you are asking for it or granting it. For instance, we would say "I was
allowed backstage after my third attempt." Or, "you are not allowed
to use your calculator on your math's.

II. 3 POSIBILITATE/probabilitate

Ex. She could be out at this time of the afternoon.

 III. MAY
III. 1 PERMISIUNEA ( in special in intrebari)
Ex. May I disturb you for a moment?
May I put the light on?
Folosit in acest sens este echivalent cu CAN sau COULD in limbaj informal.

Pentru a nega permisiunea se foloseste MAY NOT

Ex. Student may not use the staff parking.

III. 2 POSIBILITATEA

Ex. This summer I may go to Paris.

You may be right.
Obs. I may not be true ( e posibil sa nu fie adevarat)
It can’t be true. ( e imposibil sa fie adevarat).

Pentru a intreba despre posibilitatea unui lucru folosim CAN nu MAY.

Ex. Can this be true? Nu May this be true?

III. 3 CERERI POLITICOASE

Ex. May I have some more cake please?

Mai formal decat Can I have some more cake please?

III. 4 NUANTA CONCESIVA

Ex. It may be a longer route, but it’s much quicker.

 IV. MIGHT
IV. 1 POSIBILITATE

Se utilizeaza in loc de MAY atunci cand procentul de probabilitate este mai redus ( May-
50%, Might -30%).

Ex. I MAY go to Barcelona tomorrow (50%)

I MIGHT go to Barcelona tomorrow (30%).

IV. 2 PERMISIUNEA SAU CERERI POLITICOASE

Ex. Might I open the window?

Obs. In astfel de situatii se foloseste de preferinta MAY. Might este de moda veche.

IV. 3 NUANTA CONCESIVA

Ex. It MIGHT be a longer route but it’s much quicker.

IV. 4 IN VORBIREA INDIRECTA, CAND MAY DEVINE MIGHT

Ex. She asked me if she might sit down.

V. MUST

Prezent MUST, trecut HAD TO, viitor WILL HAVE TO

V.1 OBLIGATIA
Obligatia de a face ceva, considerat important

Ex. You must be here tomorrow at 8 o’clock in the morning. – PREZENT

I had to leave early esterday. –TRECUT

Differenta intre MUST obligatie si HAVE TO OBLIGATIE

Folosim MUST cand ne referim la ordine impuse de noi, iar HAVE TO cand ordinele vin
asupra noastra din partea altor persoane, sau de anumite circumstante.

Ex. I must stop smoking.

The doctor says I have to stop smoking.
Lipsa OBLIGATIVITATII se exprima prin DON’T NEED, NEEDN’T

I don’t need to buy bread. I needn’t buy bread. PREZENT

I didn’t need to buy bread. Nu trebuia sa cumperi paine (dar ai cumparat).
V. 2 Affirmative deduction

Ex. She must be married. (because she is 30).

 NEED and DARE have characteristics of modal verbs.
A) As a modal verb NEED is used to express the lack of Obligation

Ex. You needn’t come early (lack of obligation).

Need we wash our hands? (possible obligation)

As an independent verb it is used to express a necessity and it is accompanied by the

infinitive TO
Ex. They need to buy a new car.

B) The meaning of DARE is to have courage to do something (atraverse).

As a modal DARE respects same rules as NEED.

Ex. Dare you jump down from the top of the wall? MODAL
No, I daren’t do it. ( without to )

The past tense of dare (dared) may also be used as a modal verb:

Ex. They dared not complain.

When DARE is used as an independent verb it can be followed or not by the

infinitive.

Ex. Do you dare (to) jump from the top of that wall?

Depending on its sense, the verb dare sometimes behaves like an Modal verb (such
as can or may) and sometimes like a Main verb (such as want or try).
When used as an Modal Verb, dare does not change to agree with its subject:

Ex: He dare not do that again.

It also does not combine with do in questions, negations, or certain other

constructions:
Ex: Dare we tell her the truth? I dare not mention their names.

Finally, it does not take to before the verb that follows it:
Ex: If you dare breathe a word about it, I’ll never speak to you again.

When used as a Main verb, dare does agree with its subject
Ex. If he dares to show up at her house I’ll be surprised
and it does combine with to
Ex: Did anyone dare to admit it?.
It may optionally take to before the verb following it:
No one dares (or dares to) speak freely about the political situation.

The modal forms differ subtly in meaning from the main verb forms in that they
emphasize the attitude or involvement of the speaker while the main verb forms
present a more objective situation.

Thus “How dare she take the exam without ever once coming to class?” expresses
indignation at the student’s action,

whereas

How did she dare to take the exam without ever once coming to class? is a genuine
request for information.

When dare is used as a transitive verb meaning “challenge,” only main verb forms
are possible and to is required:
Ex. Anyone who dares (not dare) him to attempt (not just attempt) it will be sorry."

She dared me to say all these things. =She challenged me to say all these things
Do you dare him to run up to that tree? = Do you challenge him to run up to that
tree?
 VI. OUGHT TO

"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also

expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the
idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise
against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms
"should not" or "had better not."

Examples:

• You ought to stop smoking. RECOMMENDATION

• Jim ought to get the promotion. IT IS EXPECTED BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT.
• This stock ought to increase in value. PROBABILITY
• Mark ought not drink so much. ADVICE AGAINST SOMETHING (NOTICE THERE IS NO
"TO")

Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the
chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You

1. = Present 2. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. can
Past 3. = Future = Future also
use:

ought to 1. Margaret ought to 1. Margaret ought not should

RECOMMENDATION, exercise more. exercise too much. It
ADVICE
might cause injury.

2. Margaret ought to 2. Margaret ought not

have exercised more have run the marathon.
so she would be She wasn't in good shape.
better prepared for
the marathon.

3. Margaret ought to 3. Margaret ought not stay

come to the fitness at home in front of the TV.
center with us She should go to the
tonight. fitness center with us.
ought to 1. She ought to have "OUGHT NOT" IS USED PRIMARILY TO should
ASSUMPTION, EXPRESS NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.
the package by now.
EXPECTATION, (SEE ABOVE.)
2. She ought to have
PROBABILITY
received the
package yesterday.

3. She ought to
receive the package
tonight.

Notice "Ought not"

Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to,"
we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English.
Americans prefer "should not."

Examples:

• You ought not smoke so much.

• She ought not take such risks while skiing.
• They ought not carry so much cash while traveling

VII. SHOULD
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It
can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

Examples:

• When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam.

RECOMMENDATION

• You should focus more on your family and less on work. ADVICE
• I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. OBLIGATION
• By now, they should already be in Dubai. EXPECTATION

Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the
chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You can

1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = also use:
3. = Future Past 3. = Future

should 1. People with high 1. Sarah shouldn't ought to

RECOMMENDATION, cholesterol should eat smoke so much.
ADVISABILITY
low-fat foods. It's not good for her
health.
2. Frank should have
eaten low-fat foods. That 2. Sarah shouldn't
might have prevented his have smoked so
heart attack. much. That's what
caused her health
3. You really should start problems.
eating better.
3. Sarah shouldn't
smoke when she
visits Martha next
week. Martha hates
when people
smoke in her
house.

should I should be at work before NO NEGATIVE be

OBLIGATION 9:00. FORMS supposed
to
We should return the
video before the video
rental store closes.

"SHOULD" CAN ALSO EXPRESS

SOMETHING BETWEEN
RECOMMENDATION AND OBLIGATION .
"BE SUPPOSED TO" EXPRESSES A
SIMILAR IDEA AND CAN EASILY BE USED
IN THE PAST OR IN NEGATIVE FORMS.

should 1. Susan should be in 1. Susan shouldn't ought to,

EXPECTATION New York by now. be in New York yet. be
supposed
2. Susan should have 2. Susan shouldn't to
arrived in New York last have arrived in
week. Let's call her and New York until
see what she is up to. yesterday.

3. Susan should be in 3. Susan shouldn't

New York by next week. arrive in New York
Her new job starts on until next week.
Monday.
To express an hypothesis

Ex. If I should arrive early I ‘ll give you a ring.

To express a scope, purpose

Ex. I let him my car so that he should drive to town.

Used after HOW, WHY, or sometimes after

interrogative adverbs.

Ex. How should I know?

Why should he think that?
Where should we be?

To express an average probability

Ex. I think they should be there by now.

VIII. WOULD

Would and Should sometimes my be

considered as past tenses of Will and Shall
but they also have their own meaning:

VIII. 1 TO EXPRESS IMAGINARY SITUATIONS

Ex. Driving a Rolls Royce WOULD be nice

VIII. 2 TO EXPRESS A WISH

Ex. I wish you would come to my party

I would like to be a doctor.
 WIII. 3 TO EXPRESS A REQUEST OR AN INVITATION

Ex. Would you sign here please?

VIII. 4 REPLACES WILL ON INDIRECT SPEECH

Ex. I will be late. John said he would be late.

VIII.5 TO EXPRESS A PREFERENCE

Ex. I would rather (I’d rather) have apple instead of

orange.

WIII. 6 TO EXPRESS AN ACTION IN THE PASS THAT

HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY

Ex. He WOULD sit here for hours, looking at the sky.

IX.
X. WILL

X.1 To express an action that will take place in the future

Ex. John will go to Australia next year.

X.2 To express a probable future situation that cannot be

controlled

Ex. Do you think it will rain tomorrow?

Petrol will be very expensive in a few years.

X.3 To express spontaneous actions

Ex. I think I’ll have a coffee.

 XI. To express a polity request, invitation or a
categorical order (modal verb)

Ex. Will you shut the door, please?

Shut the door, will you?
You will do as we tell you.

XI. Shall
"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in
sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as
"Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary
actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events
often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more
commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans
prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in
suggestions or formalized language.

Examples:

• Shall I help you? SUGGESTION

• I shall never forget where I came from. PROMISE
• He shall become our next king. PREDESTINATION
• I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. INEVITABILITY

More Examples of "Shall"

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You

can
also
use:

shall I shall be replaced by I shall not be replaced will

FUTURE ACTION someone from the New York after all.
office.
(British I shall not be there. I
form) I shall be there by 8:00. have a previous
obligation.
shall Shall we begin dinner? should
SUGGESTIONS

Shall we move into the living

room?

shall I shall take care of I shall never forget you. will

VOLUNTEERING, everything for you.
PROMISING
I shall never give up the
I shall make the travel fight for freedom.
(British arrangements. There's no
form) need to worry.

shall Man shall explore the distant Man shall never give up
INEVITABILITY regions of the universe. the exploration of the
universe.
(British We shall overcome
form) oppression. He shall not be held
back.