Modal Verbs Flashcards
Can
“PODER/SABER”
ABILITY- to be able to
PERMISSION- to be allowed to
REQUEST- used to request something
POSSIBILITY- used to express possibility
OFFER- used in polite offers of help
COULD
“PODERIA”
past simple of “can”, used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to do
PERMISSION- used as a more polite form of “can” when asking for permission
REQUEST- used as a more polite form of “can” when asking someone to provide something or do something
POSSIBILITY- used to express possibility, especially slight or uncertain possibility
SUGGESTION- used for making a suggestion
WOULD (also ‘d)
“IRIA”
FUTURE- used to refer to future time from the point of view of the past
He said he would see his brother tomorrow.
Ele disse que veria o irmão amanhã.
POSSIBILITY- used to refer to a situation that you can imagine happening
Ex: I would hate to miss the show.
I’d go myself but I’m too busy.
Eu mesma iria, mas estou muito ocupada
It would have been very boring to sit through the whole speech. Teria sido muito chato ficar sentado durante todo o discurso
- used with if in conditional sentences (= sentences that refer to what happens if something else happens) (usado para dizer o que talvez aconteça se algo mais acontecer):
Ex: What would you do if you lost your job?
O que você faria se perdesse seu emprego?
If I’d had time, I would have gone to see Graham. - indicates what might happen as a result of sth else (indica o que pode acontecer como resultado de algo):
Ex: If he asks you to marry him what would you say?
Se ele te pedisse em casamento, o que você diria?
Where would they move to?
Para onde eles se mudariam? - indicates what sb said, thought, intended, etc. in reference to the future (verbo auxiliar para formar o futuro do pretérito):
Ex: He said he would be coming.
Ele disse que viria.
They thought we’d never manage it.
Eles pensavam que nós nunca conseguiríamos. - used to politely request or offer (verbo auxiliar usado para formas polidas):
Ex: Would you like a drink?
Gostaria de uma bebida?
Would you help me move these chairs?
Você me ajuda a mover essas cadeiras? - indicates a habit in the past
Ex: He would come to the diner around 11 every morning. - indicates what sb is willing to do (usado para indicar hipótese):
Ex: I wouldn’t lend him any money.
Eu não emprestaria dinheiro a ele.
He would’ve paid for it.
Ele teria pago por ela.
SHOULD
“DEVERIA”
DUTY- used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do
Ex: If you’re annoyed with him, you should tell him.
You should take the bus - it’s the easiest way to get there.
PROBABLE- used to show when something is likely or expected
Ex: You should find this guidebook helpful.
-indicates what is best
Ex: You should wear a hat in the sun.
Você deveria usar um chapéu no sol.
-indicates what is expected
Ex: They should be back by around 3 p.m.
-indicates a possibility
Ex: Contact us should you require any further information.
MAY
POSSIBILITY- used to express possibility
EX: There may be other problems that we don’t know about.
Pode haver outros problemas que não sabemos.
PERMISSION- used to ask or give permission
Ex: How may I help you?
-indicates what is possible
Ex: There may be some snow later today.
Pode nevar um pouco mais tarde.
-used to politely ask or give permission
Ex: May I see your passports, please.
Posso ver seus passaportes, por favor?
MIGHT
“POSSIBILIDADE/ PROBABILIDADE”
POSSIBILITY- used to express the possibility that something will happen or be done, or that something is true although not very likely
Ex: I might come and visit you next year, if I can save enough money.
- indicates what is possible
Ex: I might have another dollar in here.
Talvez eu tenha mais um dólar aqui.
He might have seen her at school.
Ele pode tê-la visto na escola.
- used to politely make a suggestion
Ex: You might want to tell him that it’s time to go.
Você talvez queira dizer a ele que é hora de ir. - indicates you are annoyed
Ex: You might have warned us!
Você deveria ter avisado!
MUST
NECESSARY- used to show that it is necessary or very important that something happens in the present or future
Ex: I must get some sleep.
- If you tell someone else that they must do something pleasant, you are emphasizing that you think it is a good idea to do that.
Ex: You must come and stay with us one weekend.
We must meet for lunch soon.
PROBABLY- used to show that something is very likely, probable, or certain to be true.
Ex: Harry’s been driving all day - he must be tired.
- indicates what is most likely to be true
Ex: You must be thirsty after all that running.
-indicates sth is necessary or important
Ex: You must pay the money by tomorrow.
WILL
“VOU, IREI”
MAKE HAPPEN- to want something
Ex: Stay or go, as you will.
LEAVE- to arrange to give money or property to others after your death
Legar, deixar.
-to use your thoughts to try to control sth
forçar(-se)
Ex: He willed himself not to cry.
Ele se forçou a não chorar.
