Verbele modale CAN (a putea), MAY (a se permite, a avea voie), MUST (a trebui):
1. Nu au infinitiv lung (nu sunt precedate de TO)
2. Nu sunt urmate de infinitiv lung (nu sunt urmate de TO) [You can go]
3. Nu primesc 's' la pers III sg [He can/may/must; she can/may/must; it can/may/must]
4. Formeaza interogativul prin simpla inversiune cu subiectul [can I/you...? may I/you...? must I/you...?] si negativul doar prin adaugarea negatiei not [I cannot, I may not, I must not]
5. Au forme proprii doar pentru prezent simplu si trecut simplu: can - could; may - might; must - must. La celelalte timpuri si moduri se folosesc inlocuitori. Acestia sunt:
can = to be able to [de ex la viitor: I will be able to go to Paris next year]
may = to be allowed, to be permitted [tot la viitor: I will be allowed to go to the cinema tomorro]
must = have to (ATENTIE!!! NU este verbul 'a avea', ci "have to" inseamna a trebui) [exemplu la viitor: You will have to go home tomorrow];
must = ought to, should [You shouldn't have drunk so much]
Verbul MUST la afirmativ implica
- obligativitatea de a face ceva: You must do your homework;
- certitudinea: That must be John;
- necesitatea: You must have a ticket to enter the theatre;
Verbul MUST la negativ implica
- interdictia de a face ceva: You must not swim now, it's too dangerous.
