By Expressions, Modals

The word "to" is often confusing in English. It can be used as part of a modal expression, infinitive or as a preposition. Note the usage of "to" in the following sentences. To V I used to live in Utah. I am supposed to go. I hope to see you. To V ing I am used to...

Hi again,I think you guys are right. maybe now I understand. I just read some stuff on the net about negative questions, plus one of Jim's posts, and this "idea" I had seems the right one: Kooyeen wrote:Idea! Maybe that only works with modals and with requests, not permissions? So couldn't you,...

CalifJim wrote:Jackson,The modals are can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, and must.The bare infinitive of to have is have -- not has or had or having.All modals must be followed by a bare infinitive.You should now be able to answer your own question very easily. Which of the...

Kilimanjaro wrote: Hello Cool Breeze, This sentence is taken from Michael SWAN's Practical English Usage. He says "might" can be used in such contextsHi KilimanjaroYes, I know it's from that book. You mentioned it in a previous post. I didn't say it was right or wrong in my opinion. I said I...

petunias on both sides of the road. All OK. The modal expressions are listed in order from least good to best (based on my personal opinion only, not on any 'rules'). The more easily the modal goes with the adverbials of time, the better it fits the situation. I think could more...

why can't we expect the third sentence ...? Be patient. The real answer to this doesn't come until the end of this post. Because modals don't work the same way as other verbs, especially in the perfect tenses. A modal perfect tense is in many ways equivalent to a past tense. The simple...

Let's spread out the issue a little bit: ____ O ____ Type 2. Basic forms. a. If we caught the 10 o'clock train, we would (could, might, etc.) get there by lunch-time. b. If I came into a fortune, I would give up smoking. c. If I knew how it worked, I could tell...

Peaceblinkfriend, the modal expression 'have to' is used in the continuous form. I think you know what meaning it carries. Best regards.

I realize I'm late to this discussion, but here's my analysis, for what it's worth. (What a can of worms this topic is!) should, like many modals, has two uses. One has to do with pure logic - expectation is the 'flavor' in the case of should. The other has to do with interpersonal...

I haven't heare from him in a long time. If I want to say that "he has been busy in the period of time referred in the sentence", what would be the expression? Thanks.