PRESENT AND PERFECT MODAL VERBS

Present modal verbs and Perfect modal verbs

We use modal verbs (e.g. must, can, could, might, should) in a number of ways. We also use some non-modal verbs (e.g. have to, need (to), ought to) in a similar way.

present Modal verbs

Different uses

Obligation and necessity

lack of obligation and necessity

Possibility and probability

Tema 02

Permission and prohibition

Advice and recommendation

Present modal verbs

Obligation and necessity

We use MUST, MUSTN'T and HAVE TO to talk about what we are obliged to do ( or obliged not to do) or what is necessary (or not necessary).

We must be at work by 9:30 a.m.

We mustn't be late for the meeting.

Present modal verbs

Lack of obligation and necessity

We use DON'T HAVE TO to talk about what we are not obliged to do. We do not use mustn't in this way.

We don't have to wear a tie to work. It's our choice.

We use DON'T NEED to talk about what it isn't necessary. We can also use NEEDN'T,but this is less common.

We don't need to leave / needn't leave until this afternoon.

Present modal verbs

Advice and recommendation

We use SHOULD, SHOULDN'T and OUGHT TO to give advice, recommendations and suggestions. We generally do not use ought to in direct questions and negatives.

Do you think I should say something?

You ought to talk to your boss.

Present modal verbs

Permission and prohibition

We use CAN to talk about what is permitted or allowed. We also use MAY, but this is less common and more formal.

Employees can use the gym for free.

We use CAN'T to talk about what is not permitted or allowed. To give more emphasis we can use MUST'T.

You can't smoke in public buildings.

present modal VErbs

Possibility and probability

We use COULD, MIGHT and MAY to talk about what is possible.

The meeting MIGHT BE quite interesting.

The birthday party MAY BE next Sunday, but we haven't decided yet.

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

We use ‘perfect modals’ to talk about actions, events or possibilities in the past. A ‘perfect modal’ is a modal verb combined with a present perfect verb form. We often speak about the past, and we often need to speak about the past in order to explain mistakes or guess about possibilities. The forms used below illustrate the typical uses of perfect modals.

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

Would / Wouldn’t have + past participle

We use this form to explain that our choice of action would be different to an action performed by another person. It can only talk about impossible things (past actions performed by another person which we cannot change).I wouldn’t have sacked Susan. I would have given her an official warning. (You sacked Susan, but this would be my choice of action) The client was 10 minutes late for his appointment, so Paul left the office and went to lunch. I would have waited for at least 30 minutes. (Paul didn’t wait – but this would be my choice of action in the same situation) I wouldn’t have paid $500 dollars for that jacket. (You bought it, not me. It looks awful and I would only pay $50)

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

COULD / Couldn’t have + past participle

‘Could’ is the past participle of ‘can’ which is used to speak about ability. When we use ‘could have done’, we use it to speak about actions which a person had the ability to do, but did not do. I could have applied for a work visa when I was living in Japan but I decided to return home instead. (I had the ability / opportunity but did not do the action) He bought an apartment in London for £500,000 but for the same price he could have bought a beautiful house in the country. He could have written the email before lunch, but he decided to do it in the afternoon.

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

SHould / SHouldn’t have + past participle

This form is used to talk about an action which somebody DID NOT do, but which we think was the correct action, or a good idea. He should have bought the VW, not the Fiat. (He didn’t, but I think buying the VW was a better choice) He failed his exams last week. He should have studied harder. (He didn’t study hard) He shouldn’t have shouted. (He did, but the speaker thinks it was a bad idea) He shouldn’t have resigned from his job before he found a new one.” (He resigned, but it was a mistake) Paul shouldn’t have shouted at the manager. Now he’s going to get sacked.

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

MUST have + past participle

This form expresses our certainty that something was true. “I think Tony must have killed his wife.” (I am certain this happened) “We sent everybody an email, so Rachel must have known that the meeting had been cancelled.”

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

CAN'T have + past participle

We use this form to explain that (in our opinion) something isn’t/wasn’t possible. You can’t have seen Paolo in the office yesterday; he’s in Brazil on holiday (so it is not possible) She can’t have forgotten about the meeting; I sent her an email about it yesterday He’s only 20 so he can’t have finished university yet

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

MIGHT have + past participle

This form expresses our certainty that something was true. We use this form to talk about past possibilities. Mike might have stolen the money. (It’s possible) Paul has visited the company several times, so he might have met the sales manager already. Robert wasn’t at the meeting, but he might not have received the email asking him to attend.

PERFECT MODAL VERBS

NEEDN'T have + past participle

This speaks about an action which a person DID do, but which was not necessary. It didn’t rain today, so I needn’t have taken an umbrella to work. (I DID take an umbrella, but it wasn’t necessary) You needn’t have bought me a birthday present. (Thank you, but it was not necessary) David’s computer had a virus, but now it has been repaired, so he needn’t have bought a new one.

PRESENT AND PERFECT MODAL VERBS

That's all folks!

HOPE IT HAS HELPED YOU TO UNDERSTAND!