Modal Verbs: Must, Can't, May, Might

Modal Verbs and Vocabulary (B2)

• Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs expressing possibility, obligation, permission, or probability
• They do not conjugate like regular verbs, meaning they do not change according to the subject
• They are always followed by the base form of the verb (without "to"), except in their perfect forms (e.g., must have, could have)

Must Be

• Indicates a strong certainty about something in the present
• Example: He must be the new manager (Él debe ser el nuevo gerente)
• Synonyms: Has to be, is certainly
• Antonyms: Can't be

Can't

• Expresses impossibility or prohibition
• Example: That can't be true! (¡Eso no puede ser verdad!)
• Synonyms: Impossible, not allowed
• Antonyms: Must be, can be

May

• Expresses possibility in the present or future, or permission in a formal context
• Example: She may come to the party (Puede que venga a la fiesta)
• Synonyms: Might, could
• Antonyms: Can't, must not

Might

• Similar to "may," but with less certainty
• Example: They might be late because of traffic (Puede que lleguen tarde por el tráfico)
• Synonyms: May, could
• Antonyms: Can't, must not

Could

• Expresses possibility or ability in the past
• Example: She could speak three languages when she was ten (Podía hablar tres idiomas cuando tenía diez años)
• Synonyms: Might, was able to
• Antonyms: Couldn't, was unable to

Couldn't

• Indicates impossibility in the past or lack of ability
• Example: I couldn't finish the test on time (No pude terminar el examen a tiempo)
• Synonyms: Was not able to, failed to
• Antonyms: Could, was able to

Must Have

• Expresses certainty about an action in the past
• Example: She must have forgotten her phone (Debe haber olvidado su teléfono)
• Synonyms: Certainly did, definitely happened
• Antonyms: Can't have, couldn't have

Must Not (Mustn't)

• Indicates strict prohibition
• Example: You must not park here (No debes estacionar aquí)
• Synonyms: Cannot, prohibited
• Antonyms: May, allowed to

Vocabulary Related to Environments, Places, and Sensations

Bustling

• A place full of activity and energy
• Example: New York is a bustling city full of life (Nueva York es una ciudad bulliciosa llena de vida)
• Synonyms: Lively, busy
• Antonyms: Quiet, calm

Cosy

• A comfortable and welcoming environment
• Example: The little cabin was warm and cosy (La pequeña cabaña era cálida y acogedora)
• Synonyms: Comfortable, warm
• Antonyms: Uncomfortable, cold

Inspiring

• Something that motivates or gives new ideas
• Example: Her speech was truly inspiring (Su discurso fue realmente inspirador)
• Synonyms: Motivating, uplifting
• Antonyms: Boring, discouraging

Magnificent

• Something impressive and grand
• Example: The view from the mountain was magnificent (La vista desde la montaña era magnífica)
• Synonyms: Amazing, splendid
• Antonyms: Mediocre, unimpressive

Mysterious

• Something not fully understood and seemingly hidden or enigmatic
• Example: The old house has a mysterious history (La vieja casa tiene una historia misteriosa)
• Synonyms: Enigmatic, secretive
• Antonyms: Clear, obvious

Peaceful

• Tranquil, without noise or disturbances
• Example: The lake was peaceful in the morning (El lago estaba tranquilo por la mañana)
• Synonyms: Calm, quiet
• Antonyms: Noisy, chaotic

Polluted

• Contaminated or full of harmful substances
• Example: The river is too polluted to swim in (El río está demasiado contaminado para nadar en él)
• Synonyms: Contaminated, dirty
• Antonyms: Clean, pure

Remote

• Far from civilization or difficult to access
• Example: They live in a remote village in the mountains (Viven en un pueblo remoto en las montañas)
• Synonyms: Distant, isolated
• Antonyms: Close, accessible

Run-down

• In poor condition, deteriorated, or neglected
• Example: The hotel looked old and run-down (El hotel parecía viejo y deteriorado)
• Synonyms: Dilapidated, neglected
• Antonyms: Well-maintained, new

Additional Notes

• The modal verbs significantly change the meaning of a sentence and can indicate certainty, possibility or impossibility:
• "She must be rich" indicates certainty
• "She might be rich" indicates possibility
• "She can't be rich" indicates impossibility
• The vocabulary is useful for detailed descriptions in texts and conversations