The formula for modal verbs in the simple past tense is: could/would + [main verb infinitive]. I could do a handstand when I was a kid. During exam season in college, I would not sleep much. Present perfect To form the present perfect using the modal verbs could, might, should, or...
Formula: modal + ‘have’ + past participle verb Example I should’ve practiced more. I might’ve won more races. We could have been more polite. I shouldn’t have thrown them all away! We might have taken more care with all our toys. Common mistakes Modals have different meanings, so...
modal verbalternative form can/could to be able to We use can in simple present. Example: Max can already change a tyre. We can use the alternative form to be able to in all tenses (present, past, perfect, progressive and future). Example: In two years time, Max will be able to do...
Shemustgo.(SIMPLE)Imustbegoingnow.(CONT.)•FORPAST:byaperfectinfinitive Hemusthavedonethat.(SIMPLE)Wemusthavebeenwalkingforhours.(CONTINUOUS)MODALVERBSINTHEPAST 2waysofformingpasttense:modalverbisthesame+infinitiveischanged(=perfectinfinitive)present:Shecouldbeathomenow.past:Shecouldhavebeenathome(when...
The Past Perfect Simple Tense The Past Perfect Progressive Tense The Future Perfect Tense Passive Voice Conjugation Nouns Adverb Conjunctions Preposition Commas Pronouns Modal VerbsModal and Modal Phrases (Semi-Modals) A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to exp...
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that changes or completes the meaning of the main verb. can could may might shall should will would must Continue Learning Synthesis & Transformation : Reason Relative Pronouns: Who, Whom & Whose Vocabulary: Synonyms & Word Substitution Pronouns: Demonstr...
There is only one form ofcould. The main verb isalwaysthe bare infinitive. could: Past Possibility or Ability We usecouldto talk about what was possible in the past, what we were able or free to do: Icouldswim when I was 5 years old. My grandmothercouldspeak seven languages. When we...
Expressing ability for ability and opportunity in the past we use could or was/were able to She could play the piano when she was four. OR She was able to play the piano when she was four. if the ability or opportunity resulted in a particular action, we use was/were able to, not ...
My grandfathercould playgolf very well.(past tense – he can’t now) Ican't drive.(This means current inabilityorlack of permission, depending on the context) We use verbs like'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessaryto do, or to give advice. For example: Ch...
The verb may only exists in the simple present, and past forms The simple past form of may is might . Might is also used in its own right as a present tense modal.Forms of the verb may All personsPresentPastPresent perfect Affirmative may might may have Negative may not might not may...