By Modal verbs, Negatives

Or and Nor are killing me! The following are the combinations that I know ofEither ...orNeither...norisn't/doesn't/negative modal verbs ...or (why NOR is possible???)He doesn't eat spaghetti or sushi (nor sushi??)Please help.

If we follow Swann, we can use need as a modal verb in an affirmative sentence when a 'non-affirmative' word (such as only, hardly, seldom etc.) gives the sentence a negative kind of meaning. Look at Swann's last example: the sentence becomes incorrect when only is removed.That said,...

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...

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...

Anonymous wrote: Hi, Sometimes I get confused which one to used in the situations like the one or ones below. Did he go to school on Sunday? Was he born in Japan? Why one takes a modal verb 'did', whereas the other one takes an auxiliary verb 'was'? How can I make correct choices? 'Go'...

Hmm...But why can't I use "any longer" in this case or it's using only in negative way ? And how I understand it's impossible to use can with future tenses and it's implied that "can" relate to present and future, isn't it? If I say : "How can I work hereafter?" Will it be correct?

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:need is a normal verb in the affirmative, a normal or modal verb in the negative.(Don't forget to change the affirmative-negative polarity in the tag.)You need money, don't you? CJ So that means I can write: I needn't do that, need I? right?

need is a normal verb in the affirmative, a normal or modal verb in the negative. (Don't forget to change the affirmative-negative polarity in the tag.) You need money, don't you? CJ

If I understand your questions correctly, then 'yes' to all of them. You can apply the same rules to quoted or parenthesized content. Quoted contents are free to assume many grammatical roles. Your two examples in italics are correct, except need is a modal verb in the negative, so it...