Modal verbs en inglés: guía, ejemplos y ejercicios prácticos

Si estás estudiando inglés, los modal verbs pueden parecer complicados al principio, pero con práctica se dominan. Aquí vamos a explicarlos, mostrar ejemplos y proponerte ejercicios para que los practiques.

¿Qué son?

Los modal verbs son verbos auxiliares especiales que indican habilidad, posibilidad, obligación o permiso.

Características principales:

1. No cambian con la tercera persona del singular

   • I can talk → Carla can talk

2. El verbo que les sigue permanece en infinitivo, sin «to»

   • I can speak English.

   • She must finish her homework.

Ejemplo comparativo:

• I talk with my dog. → Yo hablo con mi perro.

• Carla talks with her dog. → Carla habla con su perro.

• I can talk with my dog. → Yo puedo hablar con mi perro.

• Carla can talk with her dog. → Carla puede hablar con su perro.

Ejercicios:

Parte 1: Completa con la alternativa correcta

1. I did everything that I ______, but we lost the match.
   a) can b) can’t c) may d) could

2. You ______ take this job. It’s perfect for you!
   a) should b) can’t c) can d) shouldn’t

3. I wish I ______ buy this new car, but it’s only a distant dream.
   a) might b) shall c) can d) could

4. If I had your number, I _____ call you tomorrow.
   a) can b) should c) would d) can’t

5. The show ______ go on.
   a) can b) shouldn’t c) could d) must

Parte 2: Completa con will o would

6. I think she ___ leave Spain one day.

7. If I could, I ______ help you, but unfortunately I have a lot of things to do.

8. I’m going. ______ you come with me?

Parte 3: Elige la mejor alternativa

9. ¿Cómo pedirías ayuda a un amigo con los deberes?
   a) Could you help me with my homework?
   b) Can you help me with my homework?
   c) Should you help me with my homework?
   d) Would you help me with my homework?

10. Imagina que estás en clase y necesitas pedir permiso para ir al baño. ¿Cuál es la mejor opción?
    a) Can I go to the toilet, please?
    b) Could I go to the toilet, please?
    c) May I go to the toilet, please?
    d) Would I go to the toilet, please?

Parte 4: Completa el texto con los modal verbs correctos

1. Yesterday I was walking in the streets and the day was really hot, so I decided to stop at a café and drink a soda. When I was almost asking it I decided that I _______ take care of my health. I _____ drink this but it _______ be so unhealthy…
2. Then I tried to control myself and said:
   “_______ I get an orange juice, please?”
   The guy answered me:
   “Ok. ______ I put ice and sugar?”
   Then I started to think like: “I like sugar, but it _______ be so unhealthy!” So I said: “No, thanks.”
3. A few minutes later I got my orange juice. That sensation made me a winner! I said to myself:
   “Congrats, you _____ do it!”
   That story _______ be amazing if I hadn’t taken the soda. But ok, tomorrow _______ be different!

Respuestas

1. d → could
   I did everything that I could, but we lost the match.

2. a → should
   You should take this job. It’s perfect for you!

3. d → could
   I wish I could buy this new car, but it’s only a distant dream.

4. c → would
   If I had your number, I would call you tomorrow.

5. d → must
   The show must go on!

6. will
   I think she will leave Spain one day.

7. would
   If I could, I would help you, but unfortunately I have a lot of things to do.

8. would / will
   I’m going. Would you come with me? → invitación educada
   I’m going. Will you come with me? → pregunta directa sobre el futuro

9. a, b o d → depende del contexto; can es informal, could educado y would más formal.

10. b o c → may o could, ya que se trata de una situación formal (pedir permiso).

11. Texto completo:

Yesterday I was walking in the streets and the day was really hot, so I decided to stop at a café and drink a soda. When I was almost asking it I decided that I should take care of my health. I could drink this but it would be so unhealthy…

Then I tried to control myself and said:
“Could I get an orange juice, please?”
The guy answered me:
“Ok. May I put ice and sugar?”
Then I started to think like: “I like sugar, but it would be so unhealthy!” So I said: “No, thanks.”

A few minutes later I got my orange juice. That sensation made me a winner! I said to myself:
“Congrats, you can do it!”
That story would be amazing if I hadn’t taken the soda. But ok, tomorrow it will be different!

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