MODAL VERBS
Deduction in
the present and the past, use:
Must
Could
Might
May
Can’t
|
Modals
|
Use when
|
|
must
|
We believe something is true.
|
|
Could, might, may
|
We think something is possibility true.
|
|
Can’t
|
We believe something isn’t true.
|
Definitely true
or not true, don’t use modal verbs.
I had it
when I left the café because I called mum.
OK, so you didn’t
leave it in the café.
Deduction in the present
|
Use
|
Formula
|
|
Deduction about state in the present
|
Modal verb + infinitive
It might be in the bathroom.
Yes, of course, but it must be switch
off.
|
|
Deduction about something happening now.
|
Modal verb + be + verb + ing
But someone might be using it to phone
Aussie.
|
Deduction in the past
|
Use
|
Formula
|
|
Deduction about state or a completed action in
the past.
|
Modal verb + have + past participle
Or someone could have taken it from
your bag.
So you may have left it on the table.
You cannot have left in the bar.
The guy in the club must have stolen
it.
|
|
Deduction about a longer action in the past.
|
Modal verb + have + been + verb + ing
He might have been waiting a chance to
steal my phone.
|
Tips:
You can also
use couldn’t instead of cannot to make deduction in the
past.
Past form and related verbs
|
Past Modals Formula
|
Use
|
|
Could have + past participle
|
To say something was possible in the past,
but didn’t happen.
They could have decided to leave all
their money to their children, but they haven’t.
|
|
Should have + past participle
|
To criticize people behaviour in the past.
Some people felt she should have left
at least some of that to her children.
Tips:
Also use should have + past participle
to talk about regrets.
I should have listened to your advice.
|
|
Would have + past participle
|
To imagine something in the past that didn’t happen.
Many people would have reacted
differently.
Tips:
We often use as part of a third
conditional.
If you told me about the meal, I
would/could have gone.
|
|
Needn’t have + past participle
|
To talk about things people did in the past that weren’t
necessary.
She needn’t have given it all away.
= she did give it all away, but this
wasn’t necessary.
|
|
Didn’t need + to
|
To talk about things people didn’t do in the past because
they weren’t necessary.
She decided that her daughters would
be alright, and she didn’t need to leave them her money.
= she didn’t leave them her money
because she thought it wasn’t necessary.
To talk about people did in the past,
but weren’t necessary.
He didn’t need to wait for her, so he
went straight home.
= he didn’t wait for her.
He didn’t need to wait for her, but he
had nothing better to do.
= he waited for her.
|
|
Could
|
To talk about a general ability in the past.
My sister could speak three languages
before she was ten.
She could give away millions of pounds
every year.
Tips:
Usually use could with verbs of the sense (see, hear,
etc).
We could see the take out of our hotel
window.
|
|
Was / were able to
|
To talk about ability at one specific time in the past.
Due to her past wealth, she was able
to leave $ 1000 to her dog.
Similar meaning to managed to
He was able to manage to build his
business empire.
|
|
Couldn’t
wasn’t able to
weren’t able to
|
In negative forms, can both be used in
all situation, although couldn’t
is more common.
I couldn’t find my wallet = I wasn’t
able to find my wallet.
|
