By Modals, Negatives

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 know, some would say this is negative because of noQuite true, and I'm one of them. ... cannot have played any part ... is the equivalent -- of course. CJ

Can have ... in affirmative is alive and well (the possibility exists that he/it had played ...) At the New York Times site (I know, some would say this is negative because of no) Reviews/Art; The Frick Collection Shows Off a Fresh Face - New ... Hesitation and doubt can have played...

Hi BrummelWelcome to the forums. Your reasoning regarding can and could is right, and what causes further problems is the fact that can has a number of meanings.He can play the piano can be put in the past by simply replacing can with could especially if the reference is to skill, ability or the...

Anonymous wrote:Hello everyoneCan someone tell me the difference between use to and used to? Or is use to wrong?'Used to' refers to what we usually did before.We used to swim in the river. (We don't do so now.)'Use to' is used in in questions and negative sentences.Did you use to work here?We...

Buddhaheart wrote: Can & could convey permission as in requests and statements and general, physical and mental ability. They also convey degree of sureness (definiteness) and possibility. Could expresses the same idea as Can except in a weaker, less direct, more polite and more formal...

Hi redliddyI am not so sure what to say about your 'Others' group but the difference between 'Modals' and 'Semi-modals' is very clear. I have always called 'modals' defective auxiliaries, by the way, but I do know that your term is also used.With the modals you never use do in questions and...

Cool Breeze wrote: Mightn't does not exist. It should always be might not. Oxford Advanced: "might modal verb (negative might not, short form mightn’t ) " Cambridge: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=***+0&dict=A Websters online:...

CalifJim wrote:The correct possibilities are as follows.only has negative polarity is this construction, so it is the element that makes the expression non-assertive, hence eligible for the modal use of need.CJ Well CJ thanks for clarification. But as usual, you have tempted me to ask you a...

The correct possibilities are as follows. one only needs to find / one needs only to find (need in its non-modal use) one only need find / one need only find (need in its modal use) See Post:246822. See Post:55549. only has negative polarity is this construction, so it is...