Modal verbs (such as can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must) combine with verbs in the bare infinitive to express information about the verb such as possibility or necessity.
Questions tagged [modal-verbs]
637 questions
13
votes
3 answers
Is "can not" unambiguous?
I always try to remember to use "cannot" when applicable as in "I cannot take an umbrella" (because I do not have one).
I also thought that the problem with "I can not take an umbrella" was that it was ambiguous: it could also mean that I could…
anon
10
votes
4 answers
Can "mustn't" be used for conclusions?
I heard this sentence in an American film a while ago as I was watching it on DVD (the part after but is verbatim):
"I'm doing my best but I mustn't be doing it right."
This is something I occasionally hear in American films: phrases like "he…
Irene
- 12,562
5
votes
2 answers
Modal verbs for logical deduction
What's the difference between must and should when used for logical deduction? Can they be used interchangeably? Here's an example:
"You must be tired after your long journey." - MUST
"I've revised so I should be ready for the test." -…
kacherese
- 295
5
votes
4 answers
Why is the same modal auxiliary, 'may/might' used to ask permission and for uncertainty?
"May I go to the bathroom?" and "I asked if I might go to the bathroom."
The modal auxiliary 'may/might' is used to ask permission.
"He may not have understood your question." and "He might not have understood your question."
The same modal…
user58319
- 4,084
4
votes
1 answer
Can 'would' be used for something probably true without any conditional clause implicit or explicit?
I was reading Mari-Lou A's answer would have done on a use of would have without involving any conditional clause, implied or otherwise.
My question is with would. Can would be used for showing assumption and expectation in the present?
Like in one…
RADS
- 205
4
votes
2 answers
Modal words and enumeration
(I'm not sure if the title is absolutely correct, so feel free to fix it)
Is it suitable to enumerate verbs without modal verb?
Example:
File already should be created and contain some data
in comparison to:
File already should be created and…
zerkms
- 536
3
votes
2 answers
What are the substitute verbs for the modal auxiliary verb 'may/might' when talking about possibility?
He can play. = He is able to play.
He cannot play. = He is unable to play.
He must not play. = He is forbidden to play. He is prohibited from playing.
He must play. = He is compelled/forced/obliged to play. He has to play.
He should play. = He is…
user58319
- 4,084
3
votes
2 answers
Past for modal verbs meaning
Here are two examples from Murphy grammar textbook:
1)"I didn't see you at Michael's party last week - No, I had to work that night, so I couldn't come."
2)"I think I saw you at Michael's party last week- No, you couldn't have seen me. I didn't go…
kacherese
- 295
3
votes
3 answers
Use of 'might' in the past
I have just seen the following sentence in a prestigious grammar book.
We use might ( not ‘may’) + infinitive to talk about what was typically the case in the past:
-During the war, the police might arrest you for criticising the king
I am not…
smusca
- 31
3
votes
5 answers
Is " have to" a modal verb?
A friend of mine is telling me that " have to " is not a modal verb, even thought I have learned that it is.
So is the " have to" a modal verb or not? If not which are the reasons?
3
votes
3 answers
Must in past. Obligation versus deduction
If you can use "have" as a modifier to make modals past tense, why can't we apply them across the board. For example May/Might in past "you might have known." Or "He must have been here." These are perfectly acceptable examples, but when we come…
Tom B
- 459
3
votes
4 answers
Using "can" to express future ability
To refer to future ability we should strictly use will be able to in certain instances, while in other cases it is possible to use either can or will be able to. Why? How can one account for that convincingly?
For example,
I'll be able to use a…
niab
- 321
2
votes
1 answer
What are "modal-verbs"?
Are they the same as the "verbs-of-being" I was forced to painstakingly memorizetaught in Middle School? I.e.
Be
Am
Is
Are
Was
Were
Being
Been
Have
Has
Had
Shall
Will
May
Can
Might
Could
Should
Would
Billy ONeal
- 1,940
2
votes
0 answers
Is it usual to contract would (e.g. Adam'd) after proper nouns?
I'm met with a tricky question, though not so essential I'd still like to know if places or peoples names can be joined by modal verbs.
I'm certain Adam wouldn't mind:
to Adam'd not mind.
Also I'd just like to clarify that it's to be used in a…
Ghose Bishwajit
- 121
2
votes
0 answers
May not = can not, not allowed or prohibited?
I did an English test and there was a question which made me really confused.
You may not take this trip.
In the sentence above, may not can be substituted by:
You are prohibited to take this trip
You are not allowed to take this trip
You can not…
Mariana Gualdi
- 21
- 2