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Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Language Open Learning English
Grammar Guide
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about PAST ABILITY.

We use for a general past ability
could, couldn’t, was able to

    – Emma could swim when she was ten
    – Emma was able to swim when she was ten



www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about PAST ABILITY.

For a specific past action
                 was able to

    – When Jim fell into the river, Amy was able to
      save him.



www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about CERTAINTY/UNCERTAINTY.

We use modal + have + past participle

• You must have left your wallet at home
   (meaning - I’m sure you did)

• She can’t have said that
    (meaning - I’m sure she didn’t)

• He might have taken a taxi home
   (meaning – maybe/perhaps he did)




www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about OBLIGATION.

In the past, we use:
Had to, didn’t have to, didn’t need to, needn’t have done

There is no past form of must

• When I was at school, we didn’t have to/didn’t need
  to wear a school uniform

www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about OBLIGATION.

Strict Grammar –

• Didn’t need to – means I had a choice
    – I didn’t need to do any homework yesterday
• Needn’t have done – means it wasn’t necessary
    – I needn’t have done any homework yesterday




www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Modal Verbs – Past Tense
Talking about OPINIONS and ADVICE

The form is Modal + have + past participle
    – I think you should have worked harder
    – You shouldn’t have eaten so much

We can also use to have done, ought not to have done

These are making a criticism and we are saying they are wrong


www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
Want to know more?
Contact us

•   www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
•   www.Facebook.com/LanguageOpenLearning
•   Skype - AjarnKen
•   Twitter - @AjarnKen




www.LanguageOpenLearning.com

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English Grammar - Using Modal Verbs in the past

  • 1. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Language Open Learning English Grammar Guide
  • 2. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about PAST ABILITY. We use for a general past ability could, couldn’t, was able to – Emma could swim when she was ten – Emma was able to swim when she was ten www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 3. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about PAST ABILITY. For a specific past action was able to – When Jim fell into the river, Amy was able to save him. www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 4. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about CERTAINTY/UNCERTAINTY. We use modal + have + past participle • You must have left your wallet at home (meaning - I’m sure you did) • She can’t have said that (meaning - I’m sure she didn’t) • He might have taken a taxi home (meaning – maybe/perhaps he did) www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 5. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about OBLIGATION. In the past, we use: Had to, didn’t have to, didn’t need to, needn’t have done There is no past form of must • When I was at school, we didn’t have to/didn’t need to wear a school uniform www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 6. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about OBLIGATION. Strict Grammar – • Didn’t need to – means I had a choice – I didn’t need to do any homework yesterday • Needn’t have done – means it wasn’t necessary – I needn’t have done any homework yesterday www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 7. Modal Verbs – Past Tense Talking about OPINIONS and ADVICE The form is Modal + have + past participle – I think you should have worked harder – You shouldn’t have eaten so much We can also use to have done, ought not to have done These are making a criticism and we are saying they are wrong www.LanguageOpenLearning.com
  • 8. Want to know more? Contact us • www.LanguageOpenLearning.com • www.Facebook.com/LanguageOpenLearning • Skype - AjarnKen • Twitter - @AjarnKen www.LanguageOpenLearning.com