Level: beginner
The modal verbs are:
can may must shall will |
could might should would |
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible:
My keys must be in the car.
It might rain tomorrow.
That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small.
We also use them to do things like talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers:
I can't swim.
May I ask a question?
Could I have some tea, please?
Would you like some help?
- Modal verbs
Average
Hi patph0510,
The phrase '...in order that the child shoud be...' means the same as '...so that the child would be...'
This use of should is very formal and rather archaic. It is highly unusual in modern English.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello nitishpandey9814,
Both 'can' and 'could' are often used to make requests, ask permission and for many other reasons. 'could' is generally a bit more polite than 'can' but otherwise means exactly the same thing here.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello nitishpandey9814,
Yes, that's fine. Both are polite, but perhaps could is a little more polite. That said, how polite the setnence is really depends more on how you say it.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Ahmed Imam,
Both forms are possible here. It entirely depends on how the speaker sees the situation: more as a legal requirement or more as something a person should (morally, sensibly) choose to do.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello rosario70
The first two sentences you ask about mean pretty much the same thing, though the second one is very informal and the second is slightly more formal.
There is a difference between the second pair of sentences you ask about. The first one doesn't make it clear whether you did the action or not -- it expresses the idea that you didn't have the intention of doing something, but doesn't state whether you actually did it or not. The second one makes it clear that you did carry out the action and that you regret it.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Pana Elena,
Yes, you can. You could have them in separate clauses, for example. However, that does not mean that the examples you are thinking about are correct. Perhaps you could tell us the example(s) you have in mind, and we'll better understand what you are really asking about.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello mlherrera
Most grammars consider 'ought to' a 'semi-modal', that is, a verb that is in some ways like a modal and in other ways like a main verb. In the Cambridge Dictionary grammar, there is a good explanation of the difference between 'should' and 'ought to'.
Please let us know if you have any other specific questions.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello SonuKumar,
If we say no-one could break it then we could be speaking generally (it was not possible) or specifically (people tried and failed).
If we say no-one was able to break it then we are speaking specifically (people tried and failed). To use able to with a general meaning we would need to say no-one would be able to break it.
If you say no-one could have broken it then the possibility of breaking it must be in the past and not in the present. For example, the rope may no longer exist, or it may now be not accessible. The meaning of your last sentence is similar. The speaker is speculating about a past situation, not one which is still current.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello SonuKumar,
The sentence
describes a hypothetical situation in the past and has an implied if-clause:
The act of breaking is in the (hypothetical) past. If you wanted to talk about the present or future then you would use a different form:
Note that the first verb (was) does not change as, presumably, the sentence comes from a narrative.
Both of the other sentences describe ability (no-one was able to / anyone was able to).
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Chittineni,
We form questions with 'could' through inversion of 'could' and the subject. For example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Mina Mantzorou
We use many modal verbs quite often, so I would say that it's important to recognise them and know their main uses and meanings. It's probably better to concentrate on just a few modals at a time, as each one has different meanings and uses and it can take time to learn to really use them.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello rosario70,
The first sentence is rather odd. If you use did not drive then you are taking about Mr. Neal's general ability (that he knows how to drive) rather than what he did in a particular case. Therefore had not driven (talking about what Mr. Neal did on one particular journey) makes more sense.
In the second sentence you should use if I let rather than if I would let. We very rarely use would or will in the if-clause of conditonal sentences.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Ahmed Imam,
The sentence describes an external obligation rather than something we impose on ourselves, so 'have to' is a more natural choice. However, the distinction between 'must' and 'have to' is a subtle one and I would not say that 'must' is wrong here.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello autumn
I'd say 'Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. There was a chance I was going to be out of town that weekend, but now I know I will be here. I would love to attend.' Maybe I've been too enthusastic at the end by saying 'I would love to attend' but you can change that to what you suggested.
You are right about 'could have'. Here it's a case of the future in the past (see the section called The future in the past on this page). We often use 'would' here, and you could say 'would' instead of 'was going to', but that's what came first to mind. There's no real difference in meaning between 'would' and 'was going to' in this case.
I hope you enjoy attending the event!
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello AminulIslam.,
In some contexts the difference between can and may is very slight. For example:
The first sentence could mean 'it is possible because you are allowed to enter', a different meaning to the second sentence. But it could also mean 'it is possible because you are good enough', which is very similar to the second sentence. The context is key here.
The other sentence is not correct as it stands. We would say this:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi SonuKumar
Yes, the context is key to understanding these sentences. English modal verbs (like 'may' and 'must') are used to mean different things in different contexts and so without knowing the context for these two statements, I can't say for sure what they mean. The sentence with 'must', for example, can mean 'You really need to know this' or 'I can't believe that you don't know this' (meaning I think you do know it).
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Adya's
Modal verbs in English are used in so many different ways that it's difficult for a statement like the one you mention to be accurate in all circumstances. Could you give a specific example? We could help you out with a specific case, but I'm hesitant to make any generalisations for fear of missing something out.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi Cijo,
That rule is not correct. In 1, although 'done' is formed from the past participle, it is an adjective in this case. In 2, 'have done' is a present perfect verb. The other two forms you mention are not correct, I'm afraid.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello ifencing,
Both sentences are fine.
'Have to' can be used with both meanings, so you could use 'have to' in the second sentence as well.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi rosario70,
I'm afraid that's not grammatically correct. If I understand what you mean, then I would recommend something like: 'The manager asked if one of us was willing to go to Morocco. The person who goes will be given a raise'.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Patricia MacDougall,
In most cases, 'shall' and 'will' are interchangeable. However, when used in contracts there can be a difference. 'Will' refers simply to a future time, while 'shall' represents an obligation, requirement or duty.
The topic is discussed on this page, which I think will clarify it for you:
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/3389/shall-and-will-in-legal-requirements
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello shani,
'Depending on' is a participle phrase, not a phrasal verb. The verb is 'depend' and it is often followed by a preposition ('depend on') but it can also be used by itself:
You can see a list of common verbs which are followed by prepositions on this page.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team