Modals In The Past Form

Guys, dalam bahasa Indonesia, modals in the past form berarti kata bantu atau pengandaian dalam bentuk lampau.

When do we use modals?

·         To talk about someone’s ability (or inability) to do something.

Example: “We can find your house without the street plan.”

“She can’t have a daughter that old!”

·         To talk about an action that is necessary (or impossible or not necessary).

Example: “You must always have your driver’s license when you are driving your car.”

“You needn’t carry your passport around with you.”

·       To talk about a situation that is possible (or impossible).

Example: “Be careful with that glass, the baby might knock it over.”

A modal verb always has the same form:

There is no past form (-ed), no present participle (-ing) and no 3^rd person singular (-s).

Modal verbs come before the subject in questions:

Example: “May I come to your house for tea?”

Negative forms:

Modal verbs haven’t or not after them in the negative.

Example: ‘mustn’t”, “needn’t”.

Present Form:

• Can

• May

• Will

• Shall

• Must

• Ought to

• Need

Past Form:

• Could

• Might

• Would

• Should

Modals in the past are:

• Could

• Would

• Should

• Shall

Could + verb base

We can use this expression to offer suggestion or possibilities.

Example:

Terry: I’m having trouble with physics.

Levi   : Why don’t you ask Cahyo?

Might + verb base

Use might to tell possibilities.

Example:

Dody  : Why this Ali talking the bus to get home.

Randa: He might get a flat time.

Would + verb base

Use would for an action that was repeated regularly in the past.

Example:

Danar : What did you usually do on holidays?

Aditya: I would visit my grandparents in Surabaya, but not anymore.

Would + mind + verb + ing

Use would to express polite request.

Example:

Dodi     : Would you mind posting the letter?

Dwima: No, not at all.

Should + verb base

Example:

Alvin : Fajar, you should go to library now.

Fajar : O.K

Past modals come in two forms. The first type is the easiest and usually requires only a simple.

Word change:

• I can drive.

        I could drive when I was 16.

• I have to go to California.

        I had to go to California.

• Lenny will pay tomorrow.

        Lenny said she would pay tomorrow.