Modal Verbs Basics
What are modal verbs also called?
modal auxiliaries
What are the two forms of 'can'?
"can (present) and could (past)"
What are the two forms of 'may'?
may (present) and might (past)
Does 'must' have a past tense form?
no, it has only one form; we use 'had to' or 'was obliged to' for past
What are the two meanings of 'shall' with the second and third persons
compulsion/order, threat, and promise
How many forms do most modal verbs have?
two (present and past)
List three main meanings of 'can'
"ability, possibility, permission (and incredulity/doubt)"
What expressions supply the missing forms of 'may'?
to be allowed and to be permitted
What is the difference between 'mustn't' and 'don't have to'?
mustn't = prohibition; don't have to = no necessity
What does 'will' express in "Oil will float on water"?
a timeless prediction / a general truth
Name two modal verbs that can be followed by 'to' in some cases.
ought, dare, and need
When do we use 'was able to' or 'managed' instead of 'could'?
when we say that something was possible on a particular occasion in the past
Name two meanings of 'may' and one meaning exclusive to 'might'.
"permission, uncertainty/possibility (for may); reproach (for might)"
When 'must' expresses supposition, what infinitive forms are used for present and past?
Indefinite infinitive for present, perfect infinitive for past
What is the difference between 'would' and 'used to' for past habits?
would is more formal and needs a time indicator; used to can be used without
Give an example where 'should' expresses natural expectation.
If it's a story by Wodehouse, it should be amusing
What does 'could + perfect infinitive' express
that someone had the ability or opportunity to do something in the past but didn't
Give an example of 'might' expressing reproach.
You might have told me about the tennis lesson
How do you negate a supposition expressed by 'must'?
by using 'can't
When is 'dare' used as a normal verb and when as a modal?
as a normal verb with do, -s, to-infinitive; as a modal without do, no -s, bare infinitive
What is the equivalent of 'should/ought + perfect infinitive' using 'be supposed to'?
was/were supposed to + infinitive
Translate into English: "Не может быть, чтобы она ждала нас всё это время."
She cannot have been waiting for us all the time
In which type of sentences is 'may' used to express possibility due to circumstances?
only in affirmative sentences" (and can also be used)
Can 'must' be used for supposition about the future? If not, what should you use?
no; use 'probably' or 'to be likely
Explain the difference between "He needn't have gone" and "He didn't need to go".
he went but it was unnecessary; he didn't go (or it is ambiguous)