







(When? we do not know.)

(When? we do not know.)









(They have lived in Canada for 32 years.)

(They have been living in Canada for 32 years.)
N.B.: With “for”, if the action is finished, then we use the simple past:
He taught English in Fes for 6 years before moving to Rabat. (Now he teaches English in Rabat, not Fes)





B: Yes, I have already done it.
No, not yet. /No, I haven’t done it yet.


B: No, he has never visited it.








Modal
|
Examples
|
Uses
|
They can control their own budgets.
We can’t fix it.
Can I smoke here? (Can=May)
Can you help me?
|
Ability / Possibility
Inability
Asking for permission
Request
|
|
Can’t
|
He can’t swim.
This restaurant can’t be a good one. It’s always
empty.
|
Inability
Impossibility
|
Could I
borrow your dictionary?
Could you say it again more slowly? (polite)
We could try to fix it ourselves.
I think we could have another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job so he
could work
for us.
|
Asking for permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future possibility
Ability in the past
|
|
May I have
another cup of coffee? (May=Can)
China may become a major economic
power.
|
Asking for permission
Future possibility
|
|
We'd better phone tomorrow;
they might be
eating their dinner now.
They might give us
a 10% discount.
|
Present possibility
Future possibility
|
|
We must say
good-bye now.
This restaurant must be a
good one. It’s always full.
|
Necessity / Obligation
Certainty
|
|
Mustn’t
|
They mustn’t disrupt
the work more than necessary.
|
Prohibition
|
Have to
|
John can’t come because he
has to work tomorrow.
|
Obligation
|
(More common in
the UK than the US)
|
Shall I help you with
your luggage?
Shall we say 2.30 then?
Shall I do that or will
you?
|
Offer
Suggestion
Asking what to do
|
I can’t see any taxis so I’ll (will) walk.
I'll (will) do that for you if you like.
I’ll (will) get back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits will increase next year.
|
Instant decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain prediction
|
|
Would you
mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Would you
pass the salt, please?
Would you
mind waiting a moment?
"Would three o`clock suit
you?" - "That’d be fine."
Would you
like to play golf this Friday?
"Would you prefer tea or
coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."
|
Asking for permission
Request
Request
Making arrangements
Invitation
Preferences
|
|
Needn’t= don’t have
to
|
You needn't shout. It's a good line. I can hear you perfectly.
|
Lack of obligation
|