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Tenacious Learner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Past modals
Hi teachers,
Can I consider these 4 verbs past modals for reported speech?
Would, could, might, and had to.
Thanks in advance
TS
Can I consider these 4 verbs past modals for reported speech?
Would, could, might, and had to.
Thanks in advance
TS
Top answer
Yes, for 'would', 'could' and 'might', but not 'had to'. 'Had' is an auxiliary verb when used with ' to -infinitivals, but it's NOT a modal, irrespective of which way it's used. The modals you cite are used in reported speech, but they have other uses as well.
- Yes, for 'would', 'could' and 'might', but not 'had to'.
- 'Had' is an auxiliary verb when used with ' to -infinitivals, but it's NOT a modal, irrespective of which way it's used.
- The modals you cite are used in reported speech, but they have other uses as well.
- BillJ
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14 Answers
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Yes, for 'would', 'could' and 'might', but not 'had to'. 'Had' is an auxiliary verb when used with 'to-infinitivals, but it's NOT a modal, irrespective of which way it's used. The modals you cite are used in reported speech, but they have other uses as well.
BillJ
BillJ
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Hello BillJ
Thank you very much for your answer.
But aren't 'would', 'could', and 'might' also auxiliaries in the following sentences in reported speech.
For example:
Tom said he would work very hard.
Tom said he could work very hard.
Tom said he might work very hard.
In this reported speech sentence what is 'had to' then?
Tom said he had to work very har
Thank you very much for your answer.
But aren't 'would', 'could', and 'might' also auxiliaries in the following sentences in reported speech.
For example:
Tom said he would work very hard.
Tom said he could work very hard.
Tom said he might work very hard.
In this reported speech sentence what is 'had to' then?
Tom said he had to work very har
00
Palmer (The English Verb) divides auxiliary verbs into two types:
Primary auxiliaries: be, have, do
Modal auxiliaries: will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, dare, need
The use of have with an infinitive (have to / have got to) he calls a semi-modal, but keeps it in the category of primary auxiliaries.
Primary auxiliaries: be, have, do
Modal auxiliaries: will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, dare, need
The use of have with an infinitive (have to / have got to) he calls a semi-modal, but keeps it in the category of primary auxiliaries.
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Thinking SpainHello BillJYes, 'would', 'could' and 'might' are indeed modal auxi
Thank you very much for your answer.
But aren't 'would', 'could', and 'might' also auxiliaries in the following sentences in reported speech.
For example:
Tom said he would work very hard.
Tom said he could work very hard.
Tom said he might work very hard.
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Thank you very much CalifJim. I didn't know about primary auxiliaries at all. First time i Hear about it. Good to know it!
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BillJ,
Ok I understand it now, 'had' itself is an auxiliary verb.
'Had' and 'to' are not connected then.
If in direct speech the original uses 'have to' in reported speech substitude it with 'had to' it is absolutely wrong, isn't it?
Should I say then?
If in direct speech the original uses 'have' in reported speech substitude it with 'had'.
This is one is correc
Ok I understand it now, 'had' itself is an auxiliary verb.
'Had' and 'to' are not connected then.
If in direct speech the original uses 'have to' in reported speech substitude it with 'had to' it is absolutely wrong, isn't it?
Should I say then?
If in direct speech the original uses 'have' in reported speech substitude it with 'had'.
This is one is correc
00
Or even better
If in direct speech the original uses 'have + infinitive' in reported speech substitude it with 'had + infinitive'.
Yes.
If in direct speech the original uses 'have + infinitive' in reported speech substitude it with 'had + infinitive'.
Yes.
00
Tom said, "I have to leave at 3 o'clock".
Tom said that he had to leave at 3 o'clock.
CJ
Tom said that he had to leave at 3 o'clock.
CJ
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Thinking SpainIf in direct speech the original uses 'have + infinitive' in reported speech substitude it with 'had + infinitive'
Yes.
Tom said "I have to work hard every day." (direct speech)
Tom said that he had to work hard every day. (indirect reported speech)
BillJ
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Are these directions right?
If in direct speech the original uses 'have + infinitive', in reported speech substitude it with 'had + infinitive'.
Yes.
? No.
If in direct speech the original uses 'have + infinitive', in reported speech substitude it with 'had + infinitive'.
Yes.
? No.0
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