MODALS IN THE PAST FORM
¶ What is a modals?
Modals or Modal auxiliaries are used before main verbs to add meaning to the main verbs.
ΓΏ EXAMPLE:
1. I will go to your house next week. (Will is a modal, it adds meaning to main verb “go”)
2. Could I break your gate now? (Could is a modal, it adds meaning to main verb “break”)
› What the patterns about the modals?
Positive => S + Modals + verb base + O/C
Negative => S + Modals + not + verb base + O/C
Interrogative => Modals + S + verb base + O/C ?
| PRESENT | PAST |
| CAN | COULD |
| MAY | MIGHT |
| WILL | WOULD |
| SHALL | SHOULD |
1 What the functions about some modals in present?
1. Can + Verb Base
\ To express abilities
Example : You can speak English
\ To give informal permissions
Example : You can leave the meeting now
\ To express polite informal requests
Example : Can I come to your house tonight
\ To express impossibilities (negative)
The news can’t be true
2. May + Verb Base
\ To express polite request
Example : May I borrow your book?
\ To give formal permissions
Example : You may pick the roses
\ To express certainty (less than 50%)
Example : I don’t see Brian. He may be in the teacher room
3. Will + Verb Base
\ To express certainty (50%)
Example : I will to Jakarta next moon
\ To express willingness
Example : The phone is ringing. I will pick it up
\ To express polite request
Example : Will you give me some cake, Risa?
4. Shall + Verb Base
\ To ask for a suggestion politely
Example : Shall I close the door?
\ To express future tense for subject “I” and “We”
Example : We shall gather in the school hall tomorrow.
0 What the functions about some modals in past?
1. Could + Verb Base
\ To express ability to do something
Example: I could speak English
\ To express ability, subject to certain conditions which probably do not exist
Example: I could go now, if I wanted to ( I don’t want to)
To express polite questions
Example: Could I go to cinema, please?
\ To express polite request
Example: Could you wait the moment, please?
\ To express polite offer
Example: I could lend you my car till tomorrow
\ To express polite suggestion
Example: Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?
\ To express possibility
Example: It could get very hot in Montana
2. Might + Verb Base
\ To tell possibility
Example: It might rain tonight
I might accompany you, but it doesn’t appear very likely
\ To express polite requests
Example: Might I borrow you brush?
\ To express hesitant offer
Example: Might I help you?
\ 3. Would + Verb Base
To express wish, request (more polite than will)
Example: Would you shut the door, please?
\ To express habits in the past
Example: Sometimes he would bring me some flowers
\ Insert rather into the pattern and use this expression to express preferences
Example: I would rather visit Italia than Somalia
4. Should + Verb Base
\ To give definite advice (advisability)
Example: You should drive carefully in bad weather
\ To express the subject’s obligation or duty
Example: You should switch off the light when you leave the room
