In Modals^x, Verbs^x

No. He did not need to (normal verb) or he needn't have gone (modal)

Hi Vicedol,Some people tend to think these two modal verbs express the same meaning. However, each is used to denote a specific context:1. May expresses permission or possibility.We may count the ship as lost. (Possibly, we lose the ship).You may eat now. (You have my permission to eat). 2. Can...

According to all above I clearly understand that I haven't known anything about modals exactly. But I urgently want to. I'm very much obliged to your help. I guees now that "could" was used because it implies possibility and it is used not only for past but also for present...

It could rain tomorrow. means that it is possible that it will rain. The modal verb 'could' expresses possibility. The negative would normally be expressed by "It couldn't possibly rain tomorrow." (we're in the desert!) or "It's not possible that it will rain...

That book is right. Modal verbs can be assigned to any time past, present or future. See some of the previous threads on could/can: http://www.englishforums.com/search/could%2bcan.htm

Hi EladioYou have a mathematical mind! Congratulations! In addition to what CalifJim and MrP have said, I would like to add a couple of comments. In one of your sentences not is in the wrong place:"Shall not we ever get used to this house?" Not can't be after a defective/modal...

Please, I need more explanations about the defferent uses of " used to "

needn't =don't need todidn't need -something wasn't necessary and I knew ,so I didn't that I didn't need to go to the pharmacy because I still had pills.needn't+perfect infinitive- something wasn't necessary,but I did it I needn't have gone to the...

Because it's being used as a modal verb. Think of these:We must do it. (NOT "We must to do it.")We mustn't do it. (NOT "We mustn't to do it.")We can do it (NOT "We can to do it.")We can't do it (NOT "We can't to do it.")We might do it...

Hi,I learnt that "need" can be used as a semi-modal verb in BrE. When used as a modal (sentence no. 2), though, it should be followed by a bare infinitive (with "to," as far as I know, it's ungrammatical).If the second one were "You need not call me" = You...