Do modal auxiliary verbs have tense? What is the tense of the modal auxiliary verbs?
According to "Practical English Usage" by Michael Swan, modal auxiliary verbs do not normally have past tenses.
*So can each modal auxiliary verb be considered to be in the present tense?*
Or are "will", "can", "may" and "shall" the present tenses and "would", "could", "might" and "should" the past tenses?
What about the modal auxiliary "must"?
Top answer
car file 958 Or are "will", "can", "may" and "shall" the present tenses and "would", "could", "might" and "should" the past tenses? Yes, in form, but not necessarily always in meaning. "should" and "must" are present in terms of meaning.
- car file 958 Or are "will", "can", "may" and "shall" the present tenses and "would", "could", "might" and "should" the past tenses?
- Yes, in form, but not necessarily always in meaning.
- "should" and "must" are present in terms of meaning.
- "can", "will", "shall", and "may" are generally present or future in meaning.
- "could", "would", and "might" can be used for present or past meanings.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
car file 958Or are "will", "can", "may" and "shall" the present tenses and "would", "could", "might" and "should" the past tenses?
Yes, in form, but not necessarily always in meaning.
"should" and "must" are present in terms of meaning. "can", "will", "shall", and "may" are generally present or future in meaning. "could", "would", and "might" can b
0
Related Questions