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
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
---
Do you mind if I ...?
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 - 2004