By Negatives, Modals

Re: use of modals for past sense

If you want to add negative elements of intent, possibility, etc. to the event that might have taken place yesterday but did not, you would resort to the use of modals. I must/should/would/might have washed my car yesterday. The use of these forms seems to have limitations in that there...

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

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,...

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

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...

Please check out these sentences for me (modal+have done)

Hi, I have several sentences here, all of them are using "modal+have done" structure, and they are all about "deducing earilier possibility from the past". I've made these sentences but I'm not sure if they are right. So could you please check out these sentences and...

Re: Using "could" making a question

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...

Re: Modal verb Used to, understood?

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...

Re: did or was

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'...

Re: How to say using modal verb?

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?

Re: Politeness using negative questions

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,...

Re: Politeness using negative questions

Aaaargh! Is it really so different in English? I'm going to go crazy if I have to be careful of this difference too. I've never paid attention to this.GG wrote: >>You are assuming that what you want will be given to you, not politely requesting it.So do negative questions always sound like...