In Grammar^x, Modal verbs^x, Tenses^x

Alex Here s the mistake because had to is a modal as wellIt s sometimes called a semi modal because it is like the modal must in meaning Nevertheless its grammar is exactly the same as for any non modal verb like want like or prefer would have wanted to have seen would have liked to have been...

What s the past of could Aarrgghh could is a past form already There are two series of forms to consider with modals The interactions and combinations are the subject of entire books So in a way a modal like may has two pasts might and may have To make things even more complicated most modals...

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 you what to do In these sentences the conditional...

CalifJim wrote The sentence is complicated by the fact that you can make the past of can by using could but you have to make the past of must by using must have And must have been is not a past perfect tense by the way It s one of the modal perfect tenses most of which have special uses Let s...

Rabbia wrote hello i want to know the rules of conditional sentences plz tell me neeed helpp is usally written only heelp Unfortunately this area is too wide for anyone here to spend so much time writing it Even if we do you would be able to learn from it as much as from any other good book of...

Hi Inchoateknowledge A finite clause is a clause that has either present past tense or a modal verb What he did has a past tense which means it is a finite clause An object complement or object predicative is a clause element that occurs after the direct object and characterises the object...

have been is normally used in unreal or imaginary situations in the past The tense isn t that important with the modal verbs the degree of doubt is more important in their choice Thus I don t think you can replace the have been versions here without removing a large part of the impossibility...

I understand now Thanks But I still think it is kindda weird since the word might is a past tense modal verb here the grammar book always tells us we have to use future tense such as will Unless might is not considered past tense here Please advise If I get paid I will buy you lunch If I get paid...

When we talk about a subjunctive construction I think it is easier to understand it without the inserted clause I would think becasue that way one can clearly see the cause and effect relationship beteween the conditional clause and the main clasue 1 If someone tells you that you may park a...

If we use passive voice we don t have to change it in reported speech Am I right JTT That s right Sounds your books are telling merely that some native speakers don t do always the tense backshift in direct to indirect speech conversion But I don t take it as that those books are saying ESL...