Search results for 'tag:Modals tag:Affirmative sentences' matching tags 'Modals' and 'Affirmative sentences'

Re: You need only see her. (Is this correct?)

Tanit — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:05:30 GMT

Viceidol

Hi, I know that auxiliary verb "need" cannot be used in affirmative statements, but how about this one? Is this correct?
You need only see her.

Hi,

Let me quote Swann (Practical English Usage, 3^rd ed., Â§ 366.2):

Need can also have the same present-tense forms as modal auxiliary verbs ... In this case, need is normally followed by an infinitive without to.
        She needn't reserve a seat - there'll be plenty of room.
These forms are used mainly in negative sentences (needn't), but they are also possible in questions, after if and in other 'non-affirmative' structures.
        You needn't fill in a form.
        Need I fill in a form?
        I wonder if I need fill in a form.
        This is the only form you need fill in. (BUT NOT ~~You need fill in a form~~.)

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, please notice this usage is mainly British.

What's the meaning of "ought to be doing"?

Viceidol — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:25:07 GMT

Hi, everyone. I'm studying modals recently. I have a doubt about "ought to be doing". My grammar book says "ought to be doing" means "someone is not doing what he/she is supposed to do" in an affirmative sentence or "someone is doing what he/she isn't supposed to do" in an negative sentence. For example:

He ought not to be spending all his time on the TV. He should study for his exam.

We ought to be wearing seat belts, but we are not.

My question is: Does "ought to be doing" only has this meaning? Could it serve other function as well?

I hope you could tell me if there is any, thank you for your help!

Re: I not want/People don't want

CalifJim — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:37:44 GMT

Note the definition: Operators are the modals (can, could, will, would, etc.) and forms of be -- and also forms of do or have used as auxiliaries.

The negative adverb not can only be carried by an operator, i.e., can only be used when accompanied by an operator. To negate a sentence without an operator, the operator do must be added together with not. The technical term for the addition of a form of do is do-support.

Operators underlined below. Note the third example, where negation requires do-support because the affirmative sentence has no operator.

Popcorn can be eaten. > Popcorn cannot be eaten.
Popcorn is eaten. > Popcorn is not eaten.
People eat popcorn. > People do not (don't) eat popcorn.

CJ

Modal verb Used to, understood?

Eladio — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 16:46:58 GMT

Dear users of EnglishForums, I believe Iâve finally understood the English uses of the modal verb âused toâ. Would you be so kind to read this summary and comment it? Iâve included my Spanish translation of the English sentences in order to help Spanish students (I wish!) and also to receive your discrepancies with these translations. Thank you in advance, Eladio

Five different forms of using the modal verb âused toâ:

First: Used to, as a form of the Past
(I; you; she; he; it; we; they) used to

Second: To be used to, as a form of the Present
Iâm used to
(She; he; it)âs used to
(We; you; they)âre used to

Third: (Was; Were) used to, as a form of the Past
(I; She; he; it) was used to
(You; we; they) were used to

Fourth: To got used to or To have got used to, as a form of the Past
(I; you; she; he; it; we; they) got used to = (I; you; she; he; it; we; they) have got used to

Fifth: (Shall; Will) get used to, as a form of the Future
(I; we) shall get used to
(You; she; he; it; they) will get used to

Explanation:

First form: Used to, as a form of the Past
Affirmative sentence:
I used to play baseball a lot but I donât play very often now
Negative sentence:
I didnât use to play baseball a lot but I play it very often now.
Yo no jugaba mucho baseball.
Affirmative question:
Did you use to play baseball a lot?
Jugabas mucho baseball?
Negative question:
Didnât you use to play baseball a lot?
No jugabas mucho baseball?

The verb (play) is written in infinitive.

Second form: To be used to, as a form of the Present
Affirmative sentence:
Iâm used to getting up early.
Estoy habituado (o acostumbrado) a levantarme temprano.
Negative sentence:
Iâm not used to getting up early.
No estoy habituado (o acostumbrado) a levantarme temprano.
Affirmative question:
Are you used to getting up early
Â¿EstÃ¡s habituado (o acostumbrado) a levantarte temprano?
Negative question:
Arenât you used to getting up early
Â¿No estÃ¡s habituado (o acostumbrado) a levantarte temprano?

The verb get ends in ing

Third form: (Was; Were) used to, as a form of the Past
Affirmative sentence:
I was used to drinking wine.
Estaba habituado (o acostumbrado) a tomar vino.
Negative sentence:
I wasnât used to drinking wine.
No estaba habituado (o acostumbrado) a tomar vino.
Affirmative question:
Were you used to drinking wine?
Â¿Estabas habituado a tomar vino?
Negative question:
Werenât you used to drinking wine?
Â¿No estabas habituado a tomar vino?

The verb drink ends in ing

Fourth form: To got used to or To have got used to, as a form of the Past
Affirmative sentence:
I got used to drinking wine = I have got used to drinking wine.
Me habituÃ© (o me acostumbrÃ©) a tomar vino.
Negative sentence:
I havenât got used to drinking wine.
No me habituÃ© (o no me acostumbrÃ©) a tomar vino.
Affirmative question:
Have you got used to drinking wine?
Â¿Te habituaste a tomar vino?
Negative question:
Havenât you got used to drinking wine?
Â¿No te habituaste a tomar vino?

The verb drink ends ing

Fifth form: (Shall; Will) get used to, as a form of the Future
Affirmative sentence:
Iâll get used to driving on the left.
Me habituarÃ© (o me acostumbrarÃ©) a manejar a la izquierda.
Weâll get used to the noise.
Negative sentence:
I wonât (shanât) get used to drinking wine.
Me habituarÃ© (o me acostumbrarÃ©) a tomar vino.
Affirmative question:
Will you get used to drinking wine?
Â¿Te habituarÃ¡s a tomar vino?
Shall we get used to this house?
Â¿Nos habituaremos a esta casa?
Negative question:
Wonât you get used to drinking wine?
Â¿No te habituarÃ¡s a tomar vino?
Shall not we ever get used to this house?
Â¿No nos habituaremos jamÃ¡s a esta casa?

The verb drink ends in ing

I think maybe there are other forms of using (not included in points 1-5) the modal verb âused toâ. Dear readers, members and moderators of EnglishForums, could you put other sentences different from the following ones, in order to help me?
Jane had to get used to driving on the left.
Jane tuvo que habituarse a manejar al lado izquierdo.

Needless to say that the verb âto useâ, meaning âto utilizeâ, is not a modal verb:
âThat stick is used to hit English students that donât understand how to use the modal verb used toâ