MODALS
We use Modals to express different ideas according to what you want to say.
Formula:
Subject + modal + base form of the verb (Present)
Subject + modal + have + past participle of the verb (Past)
Present Meaning
Should + base form = advice
If you want to pass the test, you should
study.
Must + base form = obligation
You must arrive on time if you want to
attend classes at the CBA.
Must + base form = logical conclusion
Scarlet isn’t in class. She must very busy
not to attend today’s session
Mustn’t + base form = prohibition
Students mustn’t buy photocopies of the
books at the CBA. That’s not permitted.
Might / may + base form = possibilities
We might have to get another vaccine
booster if the cases of the virus go up.
* Can + base form= ability, possibility
Josue can play Dota well.
Could + base form = possibility and
alternatives
If you want to go downtown you could take
a minivan, a bus, the cables cars or even a
taxi.
Modals in the past (certainty) for possibilities in the past.
85% - have/has + have+ PP
75% - would + have + PP
50% - Could + have + PP
25% - Might / may + have + PP
Past Meaning
Should + have + pp. = regret abt a past
act.
I should have studied more for my tests.
Now I have to repeat the subject.
Must + have + pp.= logical conclusion abt
a past action. (speculations)
A baby was kidnapped in December by a
stranger. The mother must have been so
gullible to believe in the words of a
stranger.
Might / may + have + PP = possibilities in
the past (speculations)
There might have been so many side
effects with the new vaccine against
COVID that’s why they stopped testing it
for a week.
Could = (past of can)
Josue could draw very well when he was a
little kid, but now not much.
Could + have + PP = possibilities in the
past.
If we weren’t using ZOOM for our classes,
I could have used MEET to explain all
these grammar structures.