Modal Verbs

are a part of the larger category called auxiliary verbs which are verbs that cannot be used on their own. They need to be accompanied by another (main) verb. Sometimes modal verbs are called modal auxiliaries.

The following words are modal verbs: Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Shall, Should, Will, Would.

They are modal auxiliary verbs that provide additional information about the verb that follows it.

Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation, permission, assumptions, probability and possibility, requests and offers, and advice. Each modal verb can have more than meaning which depends on the context of that sentence (or question).

• You can go now. (= permission)
• I can play the guitar. (= ability)

Structure with Modal Verbs

A Modal verb is followed by another verb in the base form (the infinitive without the 'To') and they are not conjugated (we don't add an 'S' in third person). See the following structure:

Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• I can speak English (NOT: I can to speak English)
• He can speak Spanish (NOT: He can speaks Spanish)
• She can speak Spanish (NOT: She cans speak Spanish)

Modal Verbs in Negative Sentences

Subject + Modal Verb + not + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• You must not walk on the grass. (= You mustn't walk on the grass.)
• He cannot speak Arabic. (= He can't speak Arabic.)
• We should not be late. (= We shouldn't be late.)

As you can see in the examples above, contractions of the Modal verb + not are normally possible.

The negative of can is cannot ('not' is joined to 'can') and the contraction is can't

Modal Verbs in Questions

Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• May I help you?
• Can I have another piece of cake please?
• Would you like to come with us?

Modal	Example	Function
May	May I go to the conference?	Asking for permission.
	I may be able to help you with your project tomorrow.	Future possibility.
Might	We might be interrupting their lunch.	Present possibility.
	They might make us an offer.	Future possibility.
Can	They can fix the problem.	Ability.
	They can’t fix the problem.	Inability.
	Can I have a cup of coffee?	Request
	Can I smoke in here?	Asking for permission.
Could	Could you help me?	Request.
	Could I take tomorrow off?	Asking for permission.
	We could try unplugging it?	Suggestion.
	I could come to LA next month.	Future possibility.
	I left London, so I could get a job here.	Ability in the past.
Will	I’ll give you a call on Monday.	Promise.
	I’ll take these figures with me.	Instant decision.
	We’ll book your tickets if you like.	Offer.
	We will see an increase in salaries next year.	Certain prediction.
Would	Would you mind if I opened a window?	Asking for permission.
	Would you make me a coffee?	Request.
	Would you be available at 6pm tonight?	Making arrangements.
	Would you like to go out some time?	Invitation.
	Would you prefer the window seat or the aisle?	Preferences.
Shall	Shall I get the phone? Or will you?	Asking what to do.
	Shall I call a cab?	Offer.
	Shall we say 10pm at Roxy’s then?	Suggestion.
Should	You should see a doctor, you don’t look well.	Advice.
	We should get a specialist.	Recommending action.
	Salaries should go up next year.	Uncertain prediction.
Ought to	You ought to go to the dentist before you leave.	Advice.
Must	I must leave now to catch my train.	Obligation/ Necessity
	You mustn’t ask too many questions.	Prohibition.

Video

 

Exercise

Modal Verbs 1

Modal Verbs 2

Reference

http://www.grammar.cl/english/modal-verbs.htm

Adverbs of Frequency

We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.

These are called adverbs of frequency and include:

Adverbs of Definite Frequency

Examples:

• hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly
• every second, once a minute, twice a year
• once, twice, once or twice, three times

Adverbs of definite frequency, like all adverbs of definite time, typically go in END position. Look at these examples:

• Most companies pay taxes yearly.
• The manager checks the toilets every hour.
• The directors meet weekly to review progress.

Sometimes, usually for reasons of emphasis or style, some adverbs of definite frequency may go at the FRONT, for example:

• Every day, more than five thousand people die on our roads.

Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency

Frequency	Adverb of Frequency
Most frequent	Always / constantly
	nearly always / almost always
	usually /generally
	normally
	regularly
	often
	frequently
	sometimes
	periodically
	occasionally
	now and then / once in a while
	rarely
	seldom
	infrequently
	hardly ever / scarcely ever / almost never
Least frequent	never

The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence

An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb (except with To Be).

Subject + adverb + main verb

I always remember to do my homework.

He normally gets good marks in exams.

An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be.

Subject + to be + adverb

They are never pleased to see me.

She isn't usually bad tempered.

When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for to be.

Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb

She can sometimes beat me in a race.

I would hardly ever be unkind to someone.

They might never see each other again.

They could occasionally be heard laughing.

Video:

Excersice

grammar-exercise-adverbs-frequency

Frequency

References

http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/adverbfreq.html

http://www.grammar.cl/Basic/Adverbs_Frequency.htm

http://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/adverb/adverbs-frequency/

Perfect Tenses

The perfect tenses include:

• Present Perfect

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

• Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect tense to emphasize that an action in the past finished before another action in the past started. This tense is also used in reported speech, third conditional sentences, or to show dissatisfaction with the past.

• Future Perfect 

We use the Future Perfect tense to talk about actions that will be finished before some point in the future. We also use this tense to express situations that will last for a specified period of time at a definite moment in the future. The last use is to express certainty that an action was completed.

Basic Form

PRESENT                          Subject + HAS/HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

PAST                                Subject + HAD + Verb (past participle form)

FUTURE                           Subject + WILL HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

Negative 

PRESENT                     Subject + HAS NOT/HAVE NOT + Verb (past participle form)

PAST                                Subject + HAD NOT + Verb (past participle form)

FUTURE                           Subject + WILL NOT HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

Questions

PRESENT                          HAS/HAVE + Subject + Verb (past participle form)

PAST                                HAD + Subject + Verb (past participle form)

FUTURE                           WILL + Subject +  HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

Examples

         I have seen that movie twenty times.
         Jane has never been so angry.
         People have not traveled to Mars.
         Have you read the book yet?

         I wish I had had enough courage to kiss her!
         Had she eaten the dinner before she went to the cinema?
         Mary said she had not visited her father for a long time.

         I will have retired by the end of this year.
         Will you have bought a new processor by the end of this week?
         You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

     

      Exercise

      present-perfect 

      past-perfect

      future-perfect

references

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html

http://www2.chappaqua.k12.ny.us/hgfaculty/jasarris/perfect_tenses/perfect%20tenses.htm

http://www.curso-ingles.com/