use of modals for past sense

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Anonymous

#512320 Sun, 11 May 08 10:00 AM

Hi,

If you want to express what you did yesterday, I think you would write like this:

I washed my car yesterday.

If you want to add elements of intent, possibility, etc. to the event that might have taken place yesterday, I think you would resort to the use of modals.

I must/should/would/might have washed my car yesterday.

Am I right?

But the use of these forms seems to have limitations in that there aren't any other forms that can be used for the event before that, but instead, the same above modal forms must be used.

I must/should/would/might have washed my friend's car yesterday afternoon during his birthday party, and I must/should/would/might have washed my neighbor's car when I started to leave for his birthday party yersterday morning.

Anonymous

Modals

26TMNTJG2PG

#512373 Sun, 11 May 08 11:37 AM

If you want to add negative elements of intent, possibility, etc. to the event that might have taken place yesterday but did not, you would resort to the use of modals.

I must/should/would/might have washed my car yesterday.

The use of these forms seems to have limitations in that there aren't any other forms that can be used for the event before that, but instead, the same above modal forms must be used. I don’t agree with you.

26TMNTJG2PG

Joined on Wed, Apr 23 2008

Full Member (207)

Modals, Negatives

Marius Hancu

#512404 Sun, 11 May 08 12:38 PM

> the use of these forms seems to have limitations in that there aren't any other forms that can be used for the event before that, but instead, the same above modal forms must be used.

I agree that there are not many levels in the past that you can expreess when using "have" with the modals, but your last sentence is awful. Find something better in the literature and come back.

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,616)

Literature, Modals

Rotter

#512411 Sun, 11 May 08 12:56 PM

I have learned it is incorrect to write the auxiliary verb 'must' in the past.

I must go to the gym now. [ In 2 hours I am leaving for the gym.]

I must go the gym tomorrow.

Yesterday I had to go to the gym. --> This is correct.

Yesterday I must go to the gym. --> This is incorrect.

Is it fine to say the following?

I must have washed the car yesterday.

Rotter

Joined on Sun, Jul 24 2005

Japan

Regular Member (655)

Я люблю российских девочек.

Auxiliaries, Modals, Verbs

Marius Hancu

#512412 Sun, 11 May 08 12:59 PM

BTW, placing too many subjunctive mood forms in the same sentence (as you do in the last sentence) is not recommended. Restrain yourself, if you want to keep clarity to your sentences.

Marius Hancu

Modals, Subjunctives

Marius Hancu

#512414 Sun, 11 May 08 01:04 PM

I must have washed the car yesterday, but I don't quite remember.

is correct, but it lacks the obligation of had.

Instead, it shows the probability, meaning:

It's very probable that I washed the car yesterday, but I don't quite remember.

(read Swan, Practical English Usage, must)

Marius Hancu

Modals

Kooyeen

#512555 Sun, 11 May 08 08:26 PM

Anonymous
But the use of these forms seems to have limitations in that there aren't any other forms that can be used for the event before that, but instead, the same above modal forms must be used.

Yep, but it's not a limitation, is it? You can express yourself quite well anyway. Smile

Kooyeen

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005

Italy

Senior Member (3,706)

*Parental Advisory*Explicit Posts

Modals

CalifJim

#512575 Sun, 11 May 08 10:45 PM

Anonymous
the use of these forms seems to have limitations

Yes. The modals are sometimes called "defective verbs", meaning that they cannot be conjugated in all the tenses available for other verbs. If you need the subtleties of those tenses, you have to switch to some other verb or equivalent expression.

(Recall that a sentence marked with an asterisk * means 'ungrammatical'.)

I must wash the car today. / I have to wash the car today.

*I must wash the car yesterday. / I had to wash the car yesterday.

*I had must washed the car the previous day. / I had had to wash the car the previous day.

I can wash the car today.

*I will not can wash the car tomorrow. / I will not be able to wash the car tomorrow.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (15,997)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Expressions, Modals, Tenses, Verbs