By Constructions, Modals

Hi,I'm really enjoying this. You're making me think. I'm going to take your points out of sequence. I think I'm still replying to your post; if I misrepresent what you're saying, please correct me. First, the summary of what I'm going to say: A lot depends on theory, and...

In Old English there was a real infinitive (bare) -- e.g. "fremman" (to do) -- and the "inflected infinitive" -- "to fremmenne" (in order to do). The bare infinitive was used with auxiliaries/modals much as it still is, while the inflected infinitive was used to...

The list isn't meant to be exhaustive or carefully arranged. Any additions, corrections or further examples would be welcomed. 1 main verbs; lexical verbs (all verbs which are not auxiliaries or modals) 2 action verbs; event verbs; dynamic verbs (a verb which can be used in...

Hi Jim, Don't know anything about "modals", and this probably begs the question, but my sense of this construction has always been that there's absolutely no doubt in the mind of the speaker. He knows something which is unknown to the person or group he's addressing. Based...

OK, we consulted with friends and they proposed the following: He may have arrived here by 5 o'clock tomorrow. He may have been waiting for us an hour by the time our train finally arrives. He may have been waiting an hour by the time our train finally arrives. Thus no one seems...

It was my (unconscious) option. I think the modal is more formal.

Thank you, Mr.M. In your previous responding post, you wrote: The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/her assignments or tests.What is the facor involved in deciding which way to write your partial sentence? it...

"How can I continue work any longer?" "How can I shall be working any longer?" or simply: "How can I work any longer?" I want to relate it to the future. I will be very grateful for help. Which of these construction are correct or not? Thanks a lot.

Hi Pres1dentYou should break up long posts such as this one into several short posts. That way it's much easier for other people to comment.I've made suggestions. Some of the sentences in these exercises don't sound terribly natural, so there are also suggestions in places where there were no...

Hello! My mother is studying in University. She was given this testing. I've solved this English testing for her but I'm not sure if it is alright. Could you check it? Sorry, it's quite long. I. Grammar Exercises 1 Articles 1. *The* equipment of Blake & Co is very good. They sell it to **...