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Modals
Definition:
- Of, relating to, or expressing
the mood of a verb.
Formulas
- (Present): Subj + modal
+ verb + obj.
- (Present perfect): Subj
+ modal + have + past participle + obj.
may: Indicates possibility:
- Mr. Soo may be in his office.
- Also used to indicate permission:
May I borrow your pen? Yes, you may.
might: Indicates possibility:
- I might go to the beach
this weekend.
should: Indicates advice
or an obligation somewhat less than "must":
- I really should call Tom
about our date on Friday.
Also used to indicate a degree
of certainty somewhat less than "must":
- It's nine o'clock. Vinny
should be in the classroom by now.
ought to: Equal to
but less frequently used than "should":
- You ought to consider the
consequences before you make that decision.
have to: Indicates
obligation somewhat more than "should" and less than "must":
- I have to take my clothes
to the cleaners.
must: Indicates an
obligation or necessity:
- You must have a working
visa to get a job in the United States.
Also indicates certainty when
used in present:
- I heard a noise. Someone
must be downstairs.
And present perfect:
- It's late! Mary must have
gotten stuck in traffic
can: Indicates ability
(in the same sense as able to):
- I can pick you up at 4:30
Monday.
could: Indicate an ability
in the past:
- I didn't go to the party
last night, but I could have gone.
Note that the negative forms
of "should", "must" and "ought" to are formed with don't have to :
- I must have a passport to
enter Spain, but I don't have to have a visa.
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