In Modals^x, Auxiliaries^x, Negatives^x

(I edited this because my examples didn't match the point I was trying to make! -s) So, am I the only one who thinks it's more than okay (though darned confusing to ESL students) to use "could" as a past form of "can" (when an attempt was made and succeeded)? CJ, you...

Hi everybody, I strongly disagree with the views mentioned on behalf of the Callan Method. Just because it promises to get the student where he or she wants to, doesn't mean the Method deserves criticism. I've been teaching English both the traditional way and the Callan Method way for...

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...

Hi Eladio You 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?...

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...

Hi redliddy I am not so sure what to say about your 'Others' group but the difference between 'Modals' and 'Semi-modals' is very clear. I have always called 'modals' defective auxiliaries, by the way, but I do know that your term is also used. With the modals you never use do in questions and...

dare is a marginal modal auxiliary. It can be used as a modal auxiliary with bare infinitive and without the inflected forms or as a main verbs with or without to inf and with inflected forms. He dare(s) (to) go. Dare you go? He dared not go. The modal usage is restricted to...

Milky wrote: I have agreed that certain BE speaking individuals do not follow the must subjective/ have to objective line and that their use may be either regional, idiolectic, or influenced by AE use. This is like saying "All swans are white, except the ones that are black. Nonetheless,...

<"Clearly, the speaker (in this case, the BBC journalist) did not oblige Annette Cowley to return to work."> You're stuck in a hole. Tell us something new. Again: Subjective modality = the speaker's subjective belief state or attitude towards the proposition. --------- Since...