Modal verbs correspond to our:
- Ability
- Willingness
- Obligation
General Characteristics
- They are always followed by the infinitive without "to"
- Ex: I can swim…
- The "s" is not present in the third person singular
- Ex: she/he must go…
- In the negative form, "not" is added after the modal
- Ex: you can not (can't)…
- In the interrogative form, the modal precedes the subject
- Ex: May you smoke…
Ability (Potere)
- can (could) [Informal]
- May (might) [Formal]
- Ex:
- You can go to the cinema with Luca
- You can't go out today
- Can I go to the toilet, please?
Obligation (Dovere)
- must (ordini/obblighi/rihieste non have sentite in prima persona)
- Let's (1ª persona plurale dell'imperativo)
- Shall (interrogative con la 1ª persona singolare e plurale)
- Ex:
- You must be quiet during the lesson
- You mustn't talk during the test
- Must I finish this work?
- The teacher said that you have to read this book for next week
- Let's go to the cinema
- Shall we go to the restaurant?
Willingness (Volere)
- will (e WOULD=>condizionale)
- want
- Ex:
- I want to help you
- I don't want to stay at home
- Do you want a cup of coffee?
- Would you like…?
- Will you have…?
