C1 Dealing with MODAL AUXILIARIES

 

I usually say we should think in English instead od translating directly from our mother tongue, but for once in my life I will tell the opposite thing: when using the modal auxiliaries, I consider the easiest way to master them all is by means of translation. Thus, you don't have to care about this or that intention or subtle nuance of significance, but just use them as you would do in Spanish.

 

Take note of these:

 

 

 

MAY: poder (presente de indicativo). For "Zero Conditionals" or in phrases relating present time.

 

MIGHT: podría (condicional). Much more direct  than substituting it by "would perhaps" or "would just possibly" (¿¿¿¿solo posiblemente????)

 

COULD: "podía" or "podría"  (MIGHT BE ABLE TO, "sería capaz de")

 

WOULD: is the simplest form, and it is used to form the conditional; it stands for our verb ending (desinencia) -"ía", such as in "iría", "cogería"...)

 

 

(entry still in progress)