Words in Transition

Mastering a language, whether it is your own or a second language, is an ongoing process. This unit is designed to help students of English as a second language (ESL) with the most frequent problems in writing grammatically correct, idiomatic English.

Verbs

Verbs formed with helping verbs (auxiliaries) can be troublesome for people whose first language is not English. This section provides additional information about these verb forms.

Use Modal Auxiliaries Correctly

Modals (M) are verbs that are used with a main verb (MV) to suggest various judgments by the writer or speaker about the action of the main verb.

You should see a doctor. [M] [MV]

[The modal should expresses the writer’s feeling that the action is necessary or urgent.]

Modals express the following ideas about an action or event:

Probability - may, might, shall, will, would

Necessity or Obligation - must, should

Ability - can, could

Follow these six rules for writing verb phrases with modals.

1. Use the base form of the main verb after modals that express ideas about the present or the future.
   • The modals can, could, may, might, must, should, and will can be used to write about the present or the future.
   • Jeff can swimming very well. He should competes. [swim] [compete]
2. Do not omit shall or will to express the future, even in sentences with adverbs that indicate future time.
   • The coach _^ phone Bob soon. I am sure he _^ get to play first base this year. [will] [will]
   • You can also use going to or the present progressive to express the future.
3. Use only one modal with each main verb.
   • The following sentence expresses two ideas that are normally suggested by modals. However, the expression be able to must substitute for the modal can.
   • I might _^ can join the swimming team this year. [be able to]
   • The following phrases can be used with modals. Their meanings are similar to modals.
   • [have to] They may have to leave early.
   • [be obliged to] He might be obliged to pay that bill.
   • [be able to] I will be able to get to the theater by 8 p.m.
4. Use could, was able to, had to, was obliged to, might, and would plus the base form of the main verb to write about the past.
   • Two years ago he cannot read. [could not]
   • See Word Groups for how to use would and might in reported speech.
5. Use would plus the base form of the main verb to write about a habitual action in the past.
   • When I was a child, I will always try to go barefoot in summer. [would]
6. Use the base form of have or be when the modal is followed by a verb in the perfect or progressive form.
   • Ann should not had quit school. She must is looking for a job now. [have] [be]