Search results for 'tag:Verbs tag:Modal verbs' matching tags 'Verbs' and 'Modal verbs'

Re: or /nor

New2grammar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:29:11 GMT

Or and Nor are killing me! The following are the combinations that I know of

Either ...or
Neither...nor
isn't/doesn't/negative modal verbs ...or (why NOR is possible???)

He doesn't eat spaghetti or sushi (nor sushi??)

Please help.

Re: Maybe vs. May be...

Huevos — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:41:14 GMT

I don't understand what you are asking.

"Maybe" is an adverb, while "may be" is the modal verb "may" followed by the verb "to be".

Re: 'Either' and 'neither' with verbs

CalifJim — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:16:54 GMT

Anonymous
I mean could they be used before verbs?

Yes, it can be done, but sometimes it sounds awkward.

You can either stay or leave.

Jack neither approves nor disapproves of the plan.

I would not put these before a modal verb, for example:

???You either can behave or will be thrown out.

???Jane neither may go to the dance nor must sell tickets to it.

Re: would

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:51:25 GMT

This modal verb has 1001 meanings ...never ceases to surprise me. Thanks, MM and CJ.

Re: The advice

Rotter — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:31:24 GMT

You must train at least 3 times a week.
You should train at least 3 times a week.
You had better train at least 3 times a week.
You ought to train at least 3 times a week.
You may train at least 3 times a week.

Marius has suggested the best alternative as ' I think you should train at least 3 times a week'.

On reflection, some other idea crossed my mind.

6. I would train at least 3 times a week.

When giving advice it would be better to use the modal verb 'would'. Once Marius told me this.

What do you think? Is the best sentence the 6th one?

can and could

Anonymous — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:51:53 GMT

Hi,

I was looking at the Englishpage.com for its tutorial on modal verbs and seemed to have found out that the functions of 'can' and 'could' overlaps in two categories: possibility and request. Does that mean we can replace one with the other without making any difference, except possible difference in degrees?

think some sentences from its could use:

Extreme rain can/could cause the river to flood the city.

Could/can I use your computer to email my boss?

conditional

Anonymous — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:44:17 GMT

Hi,

A:How is it different? Is the zero conditional and the second and third ones type 1? I think CalifJim told us that the modal 'can' counts as present.

1.If you can make money, please use the money to help people.

2. If you can make money, use money to help people.

3. If you can make money, you will be able to help people.

Can we use a modal verb like can, may, should in the if-clause or the main clause, as well as going to future or present continuous future, as well as a present perfect in the if-clause for both zero and first conditionals? We can't seem to be able to use all those for type 2 and 3 conditionals. sorry for asking many questions.

B:Does this mixed conditional show ongoing circumstances in relation to a event happened in the past OR does it indicate a past result by a present hypothetical situation as I thought it was?

If you weren't such a bad singer, You would have gotten a job as a professional singer.

If you weren't so occupied with you work, you would have seen him trying to steal your money.

Re: expressing intention for double-past

Marius Hancu — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:25:02 GMT

The actions seem pretty similar to me, thus there's no need to repeat:

I would have been able to do make this toy ship yesterday and the day before yesterday.

I would have taken you with me to Tokyo yesterday and certainly the day before yesterday, had I had the intention to do so.

You must learn to distribute your modal verb in this case over several instances in time.

Re: Calls

Anonymous — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:13:28 GMT

This is Rotter again.

Cool Breeze, I am delighted when you pointed out my mistakes. I want you and all the others to point out each and every mistake I make here.

However, I can't understand the mistake I made here.

May is an auxiliary verb.

1. Cool Breeze may have been to Sweden. [ Here 'may' is an modal verb.]

2. Cool Breeze is rich/poor.

3. Cool Breeze may be rich/poor. [ Here too 'may' is an modal verb.]

Maybe is an adverb.

I wrote 'It maybe Mr Ban has called on Burmese leaders to grant more access ...

[ The above maybe is not an adverb. Is that the mistake?]

Cool Breeze kanske har varit i Sverige.

Cool Breeze Ã¤r rik/fattig.

Kanske Cool Breeze Ã¤r rik/fattig.

Hope + would

Mighty Joseph — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:47:28 GMT

Hello... Can somebody help me this?

"I hope you'd be successful." (would be...)
Is this correct? Because I know the subjunctive hope can also work with the modal verb would, meaing that the speaker is expressing the suppostional and unreal nature of that hope. Please help me. I am a little confused with the subjunctive use of hope. I've read a lot of materials and each of them says a different thing about the usage of hope in the "subjunctive" sense. Thanks!