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Questions tagged [modal-verbs]

Modal auxiliary verbs are a special type of auxiliary verb, used mainly to express ability, likelihood, permission, and obligation. These include 'will', 'would', 'can', 'could', 'shall', 'should', 'may', 'might', 'must', 'ought', 'need', and 'dare'. Please do not use this tag for the non-modal auxiliaries 'be', 'have', or 'do'.

An English modal verb is a defective verb with no infinitive form, participles or personal inflections employed with a bare infinitive to express various grammatical 'moods' such as possibility, obligation, and capability. can/could, may/might, must, shall/should and will/would are the present-day English modals. Semi-modals are similarly-used verbs and verb phrases with different grammatical characteristics.

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It may not have\has been delivered yet

I came across this sentence: "It may not have been delivered yet" I can't understand: why is "have" used here with "it"?
Andriy Fedyshyn
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Difference between "Should" vs "ought to"

It's essential that the documents (should)/(ought to) be destroyed immediately. Which one is more suitable one as I know "ought to" and "should" are synonyms.
Sanjar Igamov
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Using "must" and "have to" together

I am confused about this: Can I use Must and Have to together like: You must have to do it.
Chiragkumar Thakar
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Must have told vs should have told

A: "Why are you so mad?" B: "You ...... me you weren't coming to dinner. I waited for you for two hours " The answer is " should have told " and I can understand why but there was another option on the test that " must have told "..I was just…
Mrt
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Can vs. Could in the reply "It can/could be in the car"

I’ve made another mistake in a modals test, in the can/could segment. The following exchange was presented: Where’s my bag? Have you seen it? – No, but it _ be in the car. I decided that both ‘can’ and ‘could’ are appropriate in the underscored…
CowperKettle
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“It can be very cold…” vs “It may be very cold…”

It can be very cold in winters. It may be very cold in winters. What is the difference between these two sentences? People say when may is used then it means that it may be cold in winters or it may not be cold in winters. In other words, may…
iamRR
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What does "I'd" stand for?

[When Harry blurted out the name ‘Voldemort’ which wizards are afraid of voicing, Ron gasped and said] "You said You-Know-Who's name!" said Ron, sounding both shocked and impressed. "I'd have thought you, of all people [...]" (Harry Potter and…
Listenever
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Usage of 'shall' in questions

Let's say I want to arrange a lesson with my coach and I say: Shall we have a lesson on Monday? I understand the use of 'shall' in American English is considered to be formal, whereas this is not the case in British English. I would like to…
Nico
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The difference between "can be" and "may be"?

What is the difference between "can be" and "may be"? Analysing reports of investigations may be observed... Analysing reports of investigations can be observed...
Heniek Kowalski
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Why don't you use Would for past states?

We would live in New York when I was young. I know you don't say Would like this. But why? I just want to understand the feeling(?) underneath of that. When I posted a question about Past Habitual Would, someone told me like "You could exchange…
dolco
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Could vs. was able to

A grammar book says that in the following sentences we must not use "could" instead of "was/were able to". The fire spread through the building very quickly, but everyone was able to escape. They didn't want to come with us at first, but finally…
Makoto Kato
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"Should this matter" in the sense of "in case this matters"?

Can one say "should this matter" in the sense of "in case this matters"? For example in this sentence: The company XYZ is registered in Portugal, should this matter.
a_hanif
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modal verbs + ing

I would like to ask to explain to me the usage of the construction modals + be + ing in the following script: Kristin: Yeah, my, my dad, uh, taught me some things about the car, not as detailed as changing the brakes or changing the oil. But he…
blackbear333
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Does 'can' express definite possibility?

Consider a sentence Scotland can be very warm in September. Here, does it mean that Scotland will surely be very warm in September or does it mean that Scotland may or may not be very warm in September?
iamRR
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He mustn't / couldn't have been hungry

He couldn't have been hungry. He mustn't have been hungry. Is there a difference in meaning between those two?
mosceo
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