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En anglais, les modaux permettent d'indiquer à quel point on est sûr de quelque chose.
1. Forme
• Les modaux sont des auxiliaires. En conséquence, ils n'ont pas de forme infinitive, pas de temps composé, pas de -s à la 3e personne du singulier.
• Les modaux sont suivis d'une base verbale.
It would be very nice to go to the park.
It would be very nice to go to the park.
• Les modaux n'ont pas besoin d'un autre auxiliaire à la forme interrogative ni négative.
Could you pass me the salt, please?
She shouldn't go to school ; she is ill.
Could you pass me the salt, please?
She shouldn't go to school ; she is ill.
2. Usage
Un modal permet d'indiquer le degré de certitude.
• Could et would permettent d'exprimer ce que l'on pourrait faire.
I could help you with your homework.
I wouldn't watch TV after 10 p.m. if I were you.
I could help you with your homework.
I wouldn't watch TV after 10 p.m. if I were you.
• Should permet d'exprimer ce que l'on devrait faire.
You should not text and drive.
You should not text and drive.
• Ought to permet d'exprimer ce que l'on doit faire.
You ought to put the cheese in the fridge if you don't want it to turn bad.
You ought to put the cheese in the fridge if you don't want it to turn bad.
• Be able to permet d'indiquer ce dont on est capable.
I have been able to drive since I was 16.
I have been able to drive since I was 16.
Le sais-tu ?
Les modaux peuvent aussi s'utiliser à la forme contractée.| Could = Couldn't | Should = Shouldn't | Would = Wouldn't |
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