Past Modal
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Past Model |
Past modals come in two forms. The first type is the easiest and
usually requires only a simple word change:
I can drive
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(Present ability)
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I could drive when I was 16
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(Past ability)
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I have to go to California
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(Present obligation)
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I had to go to California
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(Past obligation)
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Lenny will pay tomorrow
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(Future intention)
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Lenny said he would pay tomorrow
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(Future reported from the past)
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Past modals with "have"
Some past modals can be
formed by using have + the past participle of the main verb
immediately after the modal. (should have, could have, would have, etc.)
However, since modals express possibility, intention, obligation, etc., they do not always indicate a definite tense. Therefore, when using past modals with have, special meanings need to be considered.
However, since modals express possibility, intention, obligation, etc., they do not always indicate a definite tense. Therefore, when using past modals with have, special meanings need to be considered.
I should go to the funeral
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(I feel an obligation to go
later.)
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I should have gone to the funeral
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(I didn’t go. Now I regret it.)
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Lex might take Karen to the
airport
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(It’s a future possibility.)
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Lex might have taken Karen to the
airport
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(He may be on his way there now.)
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Lex could have taken Karen to the
airport
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(Most likely he didn’t.)
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Lex would have taken Karen to the
airport
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(He didn’t. he had an excuse.)
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Otis didn’t come to work yesterday
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(Past fact)
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He had to take care of his
children
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(Past obligation)
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His children must have been sick
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(Conjecture about the past)
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