MODALS AUXILIARIES

The modal auxiliaries have a number of different meanings. Thcy are generally used to indicate something
which is potential or uncertain. Remember that a modal is an auxik y, and thus is NEVER used with do,
does, or did. The modals include
!RE"ENT TEN"E !#"T TEN"E
will
can
may
shall
must $have to%
would $used to%
could
might
should $ought to% $had better%
$had to%
Note &ords in parentheses $ % indicate semi'modals. These have similar meanings to the modals, but are
not grammatically the same.
NE(#T)*N *+ ,*-#."
To make a modal negative, add the particle not after the modal.
/ohn would like to leave. /ohn would not like to leave.
01E"T)*N" &)T2 ,*-#."
To make a 3uestion, place the modal at the beginning of the "entence.
&ould /ohn like to leave4
Note # modal is always directly followed by the simple form $verb word%. This is the infinitive without
to.
)N+)N)T)VE "),!.E +*R,
to be
to go
to have
5e
go
have
This means that after a modal there can NEVER be 6verb + ing], (verb + s), past tense, or infinitive.
There are two ways that a modal can occur
$7% modal 8 simple form of the verb
would be could go will have
$9% modal 8 have 8 6verb in past participle:
would have been could have gone will have had
Note The word have, of course, must always be in the simple form after a modal; it can never be has or
had.
WILL
Will indicates future certainty.
/ohn will begin the <ob tomorrow.
,aria will leave in /anuary.
WOULD
5esides its use in conditional sentences, would can also mean a past time habit.
&hen -avid was young, he would swim once a day.
USED TO
)n this usage, the expression used to means the same as would. Used to is always in this form; it can
NEVER be use to. #lso, there are two grammar rules for used to. Notice the difference in meaning as
well as in grammar.
sub<ect + used to 8 6verb in simple form: =========....
&hen -avid was young, he used to swim once a day. $past time habit%
be
sub<ect 8 + used to + 6verb + ing] .
get
/ohn is used to swimming every day. $2e is accustomed to swimming every day
/ohn got used to swimming every day. $2e became accustomed to swimming every day.%
N*TE Be used to means to be accustomed to, and get used to means to become
accustomed to.
The program director used to write his own letters. $past time habit%
(eorge is used to eating at >?? !.,. $is accustomed to%
&e got used to cooking our own food when we had to live alone. $became accustomed to%
,ary was used to driving to school. $was accustomed to%
The government used to restrict these pills. $past time habit%
The man is used to reading his newspaper in the morning. $is accustomed to%
"upply the simple form or 6verb + ing] as re3uired in the following sentences.
7. ) was used to $eat% at noon when ) started school.
9. 2e used to $eat% dinner at five o@clock
A. &hen ) was young, ) used to $swim% every day
B. 2e used to $like% her, but he doesn@t anymore.
C. -on@t worry. "ome day you will get used to $speak% English.
D. #lvaro can@t get used to $study%
>. 2e used to $dance% every night, but now he studies.
E. #dam is used to $sleep% late on weekends.
F. Ghieko is used to $eat% #merican food now.
7?. "he finally got used to $eat% our food.
WOULD RATHER
Would rather means the same as prefer, except that the grammar is different. Would rather must
be followed by a verb, but prefer may or may not be followed by a verb.
/ohn would rather drink Goca'Gola than orange <uice.
/ohn prefers drinking Goca'Gola to drinking orange <uice.
*R
/ohn prefers Goca'Gola to orange <uice.
N*TE Would rather is followed by than when two things are mentioned, but prefer is followed by
to.
There are different rules for would rather depending on the number of sub<ects and the meaning of the
sentence.
!RE"ENT
sub<ect + would rather + 6verb in simple form: ==========..
/im would rather go to class tomorrow than today.
!#"T
sub<ect + would rather +have + 6verb in past participal: ==========..
/ohn would rather have gone to class yesterday than today.
Would rather that, when used with two sub<ects in the present, can be followed by either the simple
form of the verb or the past tense. )t will be followed by the simple form when it has a sub<unctive
Hleaning $as explained in (rammar item 9C%. )t will be followed by the past tense when the meaning of the
sentence is Hcontrary to lastH <ust as that rule affects conditional sentences and the verb wish.
!RE"ENT "15/1NGT)VE
"ub<ect1+ would rather that +sub<ect2+ 6verb in simple form: ==========..
) would rather that you call me tomorrow.
&e would rather that he take this train.
!RE"ENT G*NTR#RI T* +#GT
"ub<ect1+ would rather that +sub<ect2+ 6verb in simple past: ==========..
2enry would rather that his girlfriend worked in the same department as he does.
$2is girlfriend does not work in the same department.%
/ane would rather that it were winter now. $)t is not winter now.%
The following rule applies to would rather when there are two sub<ects and the time is past. )n this
case, the meaning must always be contrary to fact.
!#"T G*NTR#RI T* +#GT
"ub<ect1+ would rather that +sub<ect2+ 6past perfect: ==========..
/im would rather that /ill had gone to class yesterday. $/ill did not go to class yesterday.%
Notice how each of the following sentences becomes negative. &hen there is only one sub<ect and when
you have a present sub<unctive, simply place not before the verb.
/ohn would rather not go to class tomorrow.
/ohn would rather not have gone to class yesterday.
/ohn would rather that you not call me tomorrow.
+or the present and past contrary to fact sentences, use didnt +6verb in simple form: and hadnt +
6verb in past participle: respectively.
2enry would rather that his girlfriend didn@t work in the same department as he does.
$"he does work in the same department.%
/ohn would rather that /ill had not gone to class yesterday. $/ill went to class yesterday.%
Examples of would rather!
/orge would rather stay home tonight.
&e would rather that you call tonight.
,aria would rather drink coffee than Goke.
Ricardo would rather not be here.
Rita would rather that we didn@t leave now, but we must go to work.
Roberto would rather that we hadn@t left yesterday.
"#ercise $%! &ould Rather
+ill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the following sentences
7. &e would rather $stay% home tonight.
9. ,r. /ones would rather $stay% home last night.
A. The policeman would rather $work% on "aturday than on "unday.
B. ,aria would rather that we $study% more than we do.
C. (eorge would rather $study; negative% tonight.
D. The photographer would rather $have% more light.
>. The photographer would rather that we $stand% closer together than we are standing.
E. Garmen would rather $cook; negative% for the entire family.
F. "he would rather that you $arrive; negative% last night.
7?. /ohn would rather $sleep% than worked last night
WOULD LIKE
This expression is often used in invitations; it can also mean want.
N*TE )t is N*T G*RREGT to say H-o you like . . 4H to invite somebody to do something.
sub<ect + would li&e + 'to 8 verb: ===========..
&ould you like to dance with me4
) would like to visit /apan.
&e would like to order now, please.
The president would like to be, re'elected.
They would like to study at the university.
&ould you like to see a movie tonight4
COULD/MAY/MIGHT
#lthough could is used in conditionals, it can also be used to mean possibility. )n this case, could,
ma(, or might mean the same. The speaker is not sure of the statement made when using these modals.
)t might rain tomorrow. )t will possibl( rain tomorrow.
)t may rain tomorrow. J *R
)t could rain tomorrow. )a(be it will rain tomorrow.
N*TE )a(be is a combination of ma( and be, but it is one word and is not an auxiliary. )t means
the same as perhaps.
Examples of could, ma(, and might!
The president said that there might be a strike next week.
) don@t know what )@m doing tomorrow. ) may go to the beach or ) may stay home.
)t might be warmer tomorrow.
) may not be able to go with you tonight.
) don@t know where /aime is. 2e could be at home.
SHOULD
This modal is used to indicate
K # recommendation, advice, or obligation $see must for further explanation%.
2enry should study tonight.
*ne should exercise daily.
,aria should go on diet
Iou should see a doctor about this problem.
K Expectation; used to indicate something that the speaker expects to happen.
)t should rain tomorrow. $) expect it to rain tomorrow.%
,y check should arrive next week. $) expect it to arrive next week.%
N*TE The expressions had better, ought to, and be supposed to generally mean the same as
should in either of the two definitions.

had better
should
sub<ect 8 8 6verb in simple form:
ought to
be supposed to
/ohn should study tonight.
/ohn had better study tonight.
/ohn ought to study tonight.
/ohn is supposed to study tonight.
MUST
This modal is used to indicate
L Gomplete obligation *cfef+, st,o-, b.o/0, dh0+1, 2#]3fg4; this is stronger than should.
&ith should the person has some choice on whether or not to act, but with must the person has no
choice.
*ne must endorse a check before one cashes it.
(eorge must call his insurance agent today.
# pharmacist must keep a record of the prescriptions that are filled.
#n automobile must have gasoline to run.
#n attorney must pass an examination before practicing law.
This freeMer must be kept at '9?N.
L.ogical conclusion; must is used to indicate that the speaker assumes something to be true from the
facts that are available but is not absolutely certain of the truth.
/ohn@s lights are out. 2e must be asleep.
$&e assume that /ohn is asleep because the lights are out.%
The grass is wet. )t must be raining.
$&e assume that it is raining because the grass is wet.%
HAVE TO
This pseudo'modal means the same as must $meaning complete obligation%.
(eorge has to call his insurance agent today.
# pharmacist has to keep a record of the prescriptions that are filled.
+or a past time obligation, it is necessary to use had to. )ust G#NN*T be used to mean a past
obligation.
(eorge had to call his insurance agent yesterday.
,rs. Oinsey had to pass an examination before she could practice law.
MODALS + PERFECTIVE
Iou have already seen these in the section on conditionals; however, it is also possible to use other modals
in this form. The modal 8 perfective is usuall( used to indicate past time.
modal + have + 6verb in past participle:============..
N*TE Remember that a modal is alwa(s followed by the simple form of the verb. Thus, have can
never be has or had.
56U17+)89+):;</ + !ER+EGT)VE
1se any of these modals 8 perfective to indicate a past possibility. Remember that these modals also mean
possibility in the present.
)t may have rained last night, but )@m not sure.
The cause of death could have been bacteria.
/ohn might have gone to the movies yesterday.
SHOULD + PERFECTIVE
This is used to indicate an obligation that was supposed to occur in the past, but for some reason it did not
occur.
/ohn should have gone to the.post office this morning. $2e did not go to the post office.%
,aria shouldn@t have called /ohn last night. $"he did call him.%
The policeman should have made a report about the burglary. $2e did not make a report.%
N*TE The expression was+were supposed to + 6verb in simple form: means much the same as
should + perfective.
/ohn was supposed to go to the post office this morning. $2e didnt go.)
The policeman was supposed to make a report about the burglary. $2e didnt ma&e a report.%
MUST + PERFECTIVE
This is N*T used to indicate a past obligation. Remember to use only had to, should 8
perfective, or be supposed to to indicate a past obligation. )ust + perfective can onl( mean a
logical conclusion in the past.
The grass is wet. )t must have rained last night.
$)t probabl( rained last night.%
Tony@s lights are out. 2e must have gone to sleep.
$2e probabl( went to sleep.%
/ane did very well on the exam' "he must have studied.
$"he probabl( studied.)
"andra failed the test. "he must not have studied.
$"he probabl( did not stud(.)
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
The modals Will, Would, Can, Could often appear in conditional sentences. 1sually conditional sentences
contain the word if. There are two types of conditionals the real $factual and habitual%
and the unreal $contrary to fact or hypothetical%. The real, or Hfuture possibleH as it is sometimes called, is
used when the speaker expresses an action or situation which usually occurs, or will occur if the
circumstances in the main clause are met.
2ypothetical situation )f ) am not planning anything for this evening, when someone asks me if ) want to
go to the movie, ) say
)f ) have the time, ) will go.
# 5
$ ) will go unless ) don@t have time.% P )f # is true, then 5 is true.
)f my headache disappears, we can play tennis.
$) will play tennis unless ) have a headache.%
2owever, the unreal condition expresses a situation $past, present or future% that would take place or
would have taken place if the circumstances expressed were or had been different now or in the past.
2ypothetical situation )f ) don@t have time to go to the movie, but ) actually want to go, ) say
)f ) had the time, ) would go.
$) know ) don@t have time, and therefore, ) can@t go to the movies.%

This sentence is contrary to fact because ) cannot go.
)f today were "aturday, we could go to the beach.
$Today is not "aturday, so we can@t go to the beach.%
The if clause can come first or last in the sentence with no change in meaning. Notice that when the if
clause comes first, it followed by a comma.
)f we didn@t have to study, we could go out tonight.

*R
&e could go out tonight if we didn@t have to study
$5oth sentences mean we can@t go out tonight because we have to study.%
Note The word if is generally not followed directly by the modal; the modal appears in the other part of
the sentence unless there are two modals in one sentence.
if + sub<ect 8 con<ugated verb ... 8 modal ...
*R

"ub<ect 8 modal===. 8 if === 8 con<ugated verb ..........
Note )n the unreal condition, the past tense form of be is always were in a conditional sentence; it can
NEVER be was in correct English.
)f ) were ... )f we were ...
)f you were ... )f you were=
)f he were ...
)f she were ... )f they were ...
)f it were. ..
1nreal conditional sentences are difficult for foreign students to understand because it seems that the truth
value of a sentence is the opposite of the way the sentence appears. )f a verb in an unreal conditional
sentence is negative, the meaning is actually positive; if a verb is positive, the meaning is actually
negative.
)f ) were rich, ) would travel around the world.
$) am not rich%. $)@m not going to travel around the world.%
)f he were sick, he would stay home today.
$2e@s not sick.% $2e@s not going to stay home today.%
51T
)f ) hadn@t been in a hurry, ) wouldn@t have spilled the milk.
(: was in a hurry.% (: spilled the milk.%
)f the firemen hadn@t arrived when they did, they couldn@t have saved the house.
$The firemen arrived in time.% $They saved the house.%
&e would have left yesterday if it hadn@t snowed.
$&e didnt leave yesterday.% $)t snowed.)
The following rules will guide you in deciding which tense to use in conditional sentences. Remember
!ast !erfect = had + 6verb in past participle:
,odal 8 perfect J modal + have + 6verb in past participle:
Remember that the following rules can be reversed. The if clause can go either at the beginning or in the
middle of the sentence.
REAL CONDITIONS (POSSIBLY TRUE)
+1T1RE T),E
will
if 8 sub<ect 8 simple present tense ... 8 can 8 $verb in simple forms%
may
must
)f ) have the money, ) will buy a new car.
&e will have plenty of time to finish the pro<ect before dinner if it is only ten o@clock now.
2#5)T1#.
if 8 sub<ect 8 simple present tense ====.... 8 simple present tense ======...
)f the doctor has morning office hours, he visits his patients in the hospital in the afternoon. $no modal%
/ohn usually walks to school if he has enough time.
G*,,#N-
if 8 sub<ect 8 simple present tense ====.... 8 command formL======...
LRemember that the command form consists of the simple form of the verb.
)f you go to the !ost *ffice, please mail this letter for me.
!lease call me if you hear from /ane.
UNREAL CONDITIONS (NOT TRUE)
!RE"ENT *R +1T1RE T),E
would
if 8 sub<ect 8 simple past tense=..... 8 could 8 $verb in simple forms%
might

)f ) had the time, ) would go to the beach with you this weekend.
(: dont have the time.% $)@m not going to the beach with you.%
2e would tell you about it if he were here.
$2e wont tell you about it.% $2e@s not here.)
)f he didn@t speak so 3uickly, you could understand him.
$2e spea&s very 3uickly.% $Iou cant understand him.%
!#"T T),E
would
if 8 sub<ect 8 past perfect tense=..... 8 could 8 have 8 $verb in past participal%
might

)f we had known that you were there, we would have written you a letter.
(We didnt &now that you were there.% $&e didnt write you a letter.%
"he would have sold the house if she had found the right buyer.
$"he didnt sell the house.% $"he didnt >nd the right buyer.%
)f we hadn@t lost our way, we would have arrived sooner.
$&e lost our way.% $&e didnt arrive early.%
N*TE )t is also possible to indicate a past unreal condition without using the word if. )n this case, the
auxiliary had is placed before, rather than after, the sub<ect. This clause will usually come first in the
sentence.
had 8 sub<ect 8 6verb in past participle: =========...
2ad we known that you were there, we would have written you a letter.
2ad she found the right buyer, she would have sold the house.
The above rules indicate the most common methods of using tenses in conditional sentences. 2owever, if
the two actions clearly happened at 3uite different times, the verbs should show that difference.
.ess common )f she had seen the movie, she would tell you.
2ast future
,ore common )f she had seen the movie, she would have told you.
past past
AS IF/AS THOUGH
These con<unctions indicate something unreal or contrary to fact and thus are very similar in form to
conditional sentences. The verb which follows these con<unctions must be in the past tense or past perfect.
Remember that the past tense of be in a contrary to fact statement must be were and NEVER was.
as if
sub<ect 8 verb $present% 8 8 sub<ect 8 verb $past% =====...
as though
The old lady dresses as if it were winter even in the summer. $)t is not winter.%
#ngeli3ue walks as though she studied modeling. $"he didnt study modeling.%
2e acts as though he were rich. $2e is not rich.%
as if
sub<ect 8 verb $past% 8 8 sub<ect 8 verb $past perfect% =====...
as though
5etty talked about the contest as if she had won the grand priMe. $"he didnt win the grand priMe.%
/eff looked as if he had seen a ghost. $2e didnt see a ghost.%
2e looked as though he had run ten miles. $2e didnt run ten miles.%
N*TE The two preceding rules apply only when as if or as though indicates a contrary to fact
meaning. #t times, they do not have that meaning and then would not be followed by these tenses.
2e looks as if he has finished the test. (2erhaps he has finished.%

2e looked as though he was leaving. (2erhaps he was leaving.%
HOPE/WISH
These two verbs, while they are similar in meaning, are not at all the same meaning grammatically. The
verb hope is used to indicate something that possibly happened or will possibly happen. The verb wish is
used to indicate something that definitely did not happen or definitely will not happen. The verb hope
can be followed by any tense. The verb wish must N*T be followed by an( present tense verb or
present tense au#iliar(. 5e sure that you understand the difference in the following sentences with
wish and hope.

&e hope that they will come. $&e dont &now if they are coming.%
&e wish that they could come. $They are not coming.%
&e hope that they came yesterday. $&e dont &now if they came.%
&e wish that they had come yesterday. $They didnt come.%
Remember that wish is very similar to a contrary to fact or unreal condition.
!resent unreal condition )f ) were rich, ) would be very happy.
!resent wish ) wish ) were rich.
!ast unreal condition )f you had been here last night, we would have en<oyed it.
!ast wish &e wish that you had been here last night.
N*TE )n the following rules, notice that the word that is optional.
+1T1RE &)"2
could 8 verb
sub<ectL + wish + (that) 8 sub<ectL 8 would + verb .
were + $verb + ing)
L"ub<ects can be the same or different.
&e wish that you could come to the party tonight. $Iou cant come.)
) wish that you would stop saying that. $Iou probabl( wont stop.)
"he wishes that she were coming with us. $"he is not coming with us.%
!RE"ENT &)"2
sub<ect + wish + (that) 8 sub<ect 8 simple past tense =========.
) wish that ) had enough time to finish my homework. (: dont have enough time.%
&e wish that he were old enough to come with us. $2e is not old enough.%
They wish that they didn@t have to go to class today. $They have to go to class.%
!#"T &)"2
sub<ect + wish + (that) 8 sub<ect 8 past perfect tense
could have 8 $verb in past participal%
) wish that ) had washed the clothes yesterday. (: didnt wash the clothes.%
"he wishes that she could have been there. $"he couldnt be there.%
&e wish that we had had more time last night. $&e didnt have more time.%
"rercise.$?! 5onditional @entences
"upply the correct form of the verb in parentheses for each of the
following sentences. Review the formulas if you have trouble.
). 2enry talks to his dog as if it $understand% him.
9. )f they had left the house earlier, they $be; negative% so late getting to the airport that
they could not check their baggage.
A. )f 7 finish the dress before "aturday, ) $give% it to my sister for her birthday.
B. )f t had seen the movie, ) $tell% you about it last night.
C. 2ad 5ob not interfered in his sister@s marital problems, there $be% peace between them.
D. 2e would give you the money if he $have% it.
>. ) wish they Q$stop% making so much noise so that ) could concentrate.
E. "he would call you immediately if she $need% help.
F. 2ad they arrived at the sale early, they $find% a better selection.
7?. &e hope that you $en<oy% the party last night.
77. )f you have enough time, please $paint% the chair before you leave.
79. &e could go for a drive if today $be% "aturday.
7A. )f she wins the priMe, it will be because she $write% very well.
7B. ,ike wished that the editors $permit% him to copy some of their material.
7C. /oel wished that he $spend% his vacation on the (ulf Goast next year.
7D. ) $accept% if they invite me to the party.
7>. )f your mother $buy% that car for you, will you be happy4
7E. )f he $decide% earlier, he could have left on the afternoon flight.
7F. 2ad we known your address, we $write% you a letter.
9?. )f the roofer doesn@t come soon, the rain $leak% inside.
97. 5ecause Rose did so poorly on the exam, she wishes that she $study% harder last night.
99. ,y dog always wakes me up if he $hear% strange noises.
9A. )f you $see% ,ary today, please ask her to call me.
9B. )f he $get% the raise, it will be because he does a good <ob.
9C. The teacher will not accept our work if we $turn% it in late.
9D. ,rs. &ood always talks to her tenth'grade students as though they $be% adults.
9>. )f he had left already, he $call% us.
9E. )f they had known him, they $talk% to him.
9F. 2e would understand it if you $explain% it to him more slowly.
A?. ) could understand the +rench teacher if she $speak% more slowly.