Modals in the past form

Modals in the past form

Modals
present	Past
can	could
will	would
shall	should
may	might

1. Could + Verb base

        ô  to offer suggestions or possibilities

                Example:           Patrick                 :  Oh, no! I left my shorts.

                                                Spongebob    : Don’t worry, Patrick. You could borrow my shorts.

                                                Asmi                    : I’m having trouble with English.

                                                Randah               : Why don’t you ask Agnes? Perhaps she could help you.

        ô  to indicate that the ability existed in the past but doesn’t exist now.

                Example:               Tasya            : Ras, can you climb the durian tree?

                                                Rasya           : Well… I could climb durian tree when I was so young. But I think I’m   too heavy to climb it.

                                                        Mia                       : Grandpa, what could you do when you were younger?

                                                        Grandpa               :  When I was younger, I could swim across the big river very well and faster.

        ô  to express polite requests

                Example:           Could I borrow your pencil (please)?

                                                Could you lend me your jacket now?

                                                Could you please close the door?

                                                Could you pass the salt?

2. Would + Verb base

        ô for an action that was repeated regularly in the past

                Example:           When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every weekend.

                                                On Sundays, when I was a child, we would all get up early and go fishing.

        ô insert rather into the pattern and use this expression to express preferences

            Example:           Justin    :  What would you rather do in the weekend, go to the party or stay home?

                                       Eminem :  I would rather go to the party than stay home.

       

                                                Angel     :  Which country would you rather visit?

                                                Maria      :  I would rather visit Italia than Somalia.

        ô to express polite requests

                Example:           Andi     :  Would you mind cycling with me, Kala?

                                           Kala     :  No, not at all. It would be nice.

                                                Mikola : Would you please pass the helmet, Bella?

                                                Bella   :  No problem.

3. Should + Verb base

        ô to give definite advice (advisability)

                Example:           Mother  :  Panda, you should study tonight. You will have English test tomorrow, won’t you?

                                            Panda  :    I will, mom.

                                                Rina         :    You should paint your door, Bobby. It looks terrible.

                                                Didi     :    Yes, I know I should. 

ô  to express the subject’s obligation or duty:

Example:           You should practice for more than an hour.  (to musical friend)

                                They shouldn’t allow parking here; the street is too narrow.

                                Application should be sent before March 25^th.

4. Might + Verb base

        ô to tell possibilities

                Example:           Trezeguet           :   Where is Deddy?

                                                Field              :   He might be in the studio with Kalina.

        ô To express polite requests

                Example:                  Ari                   :   Might I borrow your coat?

                                                Ririn                 :   I’m afraid not. It has been brought by Donny for weeks and I don’t know when he’ll return it.