Types 0, 1, 2 & 3
Other structures
The passive
Other passive patterns
Reported statements
Reported questions
Reported functions
Defining RC
Non-defining RC
Connective RC
Present & future reference
Past reference
Contrast
Reason & cause
Purpose
Consequence
Addition
Exemplification
Miscellanea 1
Miscellanea 2
Miscellanea 3
 
MODAL VERBS
 
 
MEANING
TIME REFERENCE
PRESENT / FUTURE
PAST
Ability
can

could

was / were able to
managed to
Possibility
may, might, could
would/might/could + have + pp (didn't actually happen)
may/might/could + have + pp (don't know whether it happened or not)
Probability
will
---
Certainty
must, can't
must / can't + have + pp
Obligation
must, have to
had to
Necessity
have to, need to, need
had to / didn't have to
didn't need to
needn't have + pp
Advice
should, ought to, had better
should /ought to + have + pp (regret)
Requests
can, could
---
Would you mind + -ing ...?
Permission
can, could, may
---
Offers
Shall I ...?
---
Suggestions
Shall we ...?
---
Let's + V
How about + -ing ...?
Why don't we ...?
  
 
Note: Verb patterns in italics are not modal auxiliaries.

 

 
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© Olga Godoy Giménez, 2002