Brain Boost: Present Sentences vs Modal Sentences
Section 4: Reflexive Verbs
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Instruction: Modal Verb Sentences with Yes/No Questions

In this lesson, we will learn how to ask yes/no questions using modal verbs and how to give answers. Yes/no questions in Spanish are straightforward and often begin with the conjugated verb. We will use modal verbs to form these questions and provide options for affirmative, negative, and negative-positive responses.

First, take a minute to review the different ways you can combine the words you’ve learned to build sentences.

Modal Verbs
Yo quiero – I want
Tú quieres – You want
Yo necesito – I need
Tú necesitas – You need
Yo voy a – I am going to
Tú vas a – You are going to
Yo puedo – I can
Tú puedes – You can
Yo debo – I must/should
Tú debes – You must/should
Yo tengo que – I have to
Tú tienes que – You have to
Me gusta – I like
Te gusta – You like
Try other verb conjugations.

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Infinitives

aprender – to learn
estudiar – to study
bailar – to dance
leer – to read
practicar – to practice
trabajar – to work
hablar – to talk
correr – to run
cantar – to sing
almorzar – to eat
lunch
comenzar – to begin
preparar – to prepare
seguir – to continue/follow
recordar
– to remember

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Sentence Endings

en la escuela. – at school
todos los días. – every day
con mis amigos. – with my friends
por la noche. – at night
durante el fin de semana. – during the weekend
por la tarde. – in the afternoon
porque es divertido. – because it is fun
en/a casa – at home
en el parque – at the park
en la biblioteca – in the library

Asking Yes/No Questions

To ask a yes/no question in Spanish, you generally place the conjugated verb at the beginning of the sentence. Important: the questions below could also be said as statements. To turn them into questions, make your voice go up at the end. For example: ¿Quieres aprender en la escuela? (Make your voice go up on the red). Here are more examples with modal verbs:

Examples of Yes/No Questions and Answers

1. Quiero aprender en la escuela.

  • Question: ¿Quieres aprender en la escuela?
    • Do you want to learn at school?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, quiero aprender en la escuela.
    • Yes, I want to learn at school.
  • Negative Answer: No, no quiero aprender en la escuela.
    • No, I don’t want to learn at school.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, quiero aprender en casa.
    • No, I want to learn at home.

2. Necesitas estudiar todos los días.

  • Question: ¿Necesitas estudiar todos los días?
    • Do you need to study every day?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, necesito estudiar todos los días.
    • Yes, I need to study every day.
  • Negative Answer: No, no necesito estudiar todos los días.
    • No, I don’t need to study every day.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, necesito estudiar por la noche.
    • No, I need to study at night.

3. Voy a bailar con mis amigos.

  • Question: ¿Vas a bailar con tus amigos?
    • Are you going to dance with your friends?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, voy a bailar con mis amigos.
    • Yes, I am going to dance with my friends.
  • Negative Answer: No, no voy a bailar con mis amigos.
    • No, I am not going to dance with my friends.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, voy a bailar en casa.
    • No, I am going to dance at home.

4. Puedo leer por la noche.

  • Question: ¿Puedes leer por la noche?
    • Can you read at night?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, puedo leer por la noche.
    • Yes, I can read at night.
  • Negative Answer: No, no puedo leer por la noche.
    • No, I can’t read at night.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, puedo leer por la tarde.
    • No, I can read in the afternoon.

5. Debo practicar durante el fin de semana.

  • Question: ¿Debes practicar durante el fin de semana?
    • Should you practice during the weekend?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, debo practicar durante el fin de semana.
    • Yes, I must practice during the weekend.
  • Negative Answer: No, no debo practicar durante el fin de semana.
    • No, I must not practice during the weekend.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, debo practicar todos los días.
    • No, I must practice every day.

6. Tengo que trabajar por la tarde.

  • Question: ¿Tienes que trabajar por la tarde?
    • Do you have to work in the afternoon?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, tengo que trabajar por la tarde.
    • Yes, I have to work in the afternoon.
  • Negative Answer: No, no tengo que trabajar por la tarde.
    • No, I don’t have to work in the afternoon.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, tengo que trabajar por la mañana.
    • No, I have to work in the morning.

7. Me gusta viajar porque es divertido.

  • Question: ¿Te gusta viajar porque es divertido?
    • Do you like to travel because it is fun?
  • Affirmative Answer: Sí, me gusta viajar porque es divertido.
    • Yes, I like to travel because it is fun.
  • Negative Answer: No, no me gusta viajar porque no es divertido.
    • No, I don’t like to travel because it is not fun.
  • Negative-Positive Answer: No, me gusta bailar porque es divertido.
    • No, I like to dance because it is fun.