Advanced English · 22 min
Modals
The point
A modal is followed by the base verb, never by to, and never by -ing. Must is a rule. Should is advice. Might is a weak possibility. Could is ability or a weak possibility. Do not stack them.
Form and use
A modal is followed by the base form. There is no to, and the main verb takes no -s. Can is ability or permission. Could is past ability or a softer possibility. May and might are possibility, and may also allows something. Must is strong obligation or a firm conclusion. Should gives advice. Shall with I or we offers: Shall I call them? Will is future or a firm decision. Would is past will, or the polite and hypothetical form.
Core modals take a base verb: can go could go may go might go must go should go shall I go will go would go Semi-modals: have to go be able to go ought to go Ought to already has to. Do not add another to, and do not drop it.
Past meanings use different tools. Could with a past time is general ability: she could read maps as a child. One success on a single occasion is was able to: she was able to open the door. Had to is past obligation: we had to leave. Should have plus a participle only points at a better past action. It does not undo that past.
Negatives and questions keep the modal plus the base. She cannot go. Can she go? You should not wait. Must she sign it? Do not write can to go or she cans go. Have to is an ordinary verb: she does not have to go. Be able to changes with person and time: he is able to help, they were able to help.
Don't translate it like this
Don't say
You must to send the note.
Say
You must send the note.
메모를 보내야 합니다.
Must already carries the force. To after it is not English.
Short examples
The plant must name an owner.
공장은 담당을 말해야 합니다.
The date might be April.
날짜는 4월일 수도 있습니다.
She could see the risk.
그녀는 위험을 볼 수 있었습니다.
She can read the chart.
그녀는 그 도표를 읽을 수 있습니다.
Shall I call them now?
지금 그들에게 전화할까요?
The key might be in the drawer.
열쇠는 서랍에 있을 수도 있습니다.
You should not wait any longer.
더 이상 기다리지 않는 것이 좋습니다.
As a child she could read maps.
어릴 때 그녀는 지도를 읽을 수 있었습니다.
She was able to open the door once.
그녀는 한 번 그 문을 열 수 있었습니다.
We had to leave before noon.
우리는 정오 전에 떠나야 했습니다.
You ought to check the date.
날짜를 확인하는 것이 마땅합니다.
Questions
Every question has to be right to close this point.
Answer every question, then check.