Some Modals (English)

Can

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.

Examples:

• I can ride a horse. ability
• We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
• She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
• Can you hand me the stapler? request
• Any child can grow up to be president. possibility

Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
can general ability	1. I can speak Chinese. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course.	1. I can't speak Swahili. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili.	be able to
can ability during a specific event	1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car.	1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car.	be able to
can opportunity	1. I have some free time. I can help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time. 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then.	1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time. 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then.	be able to
can permission	1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.	1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.	may
can request	Can I have a glass of water? Can you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future.	Can't I have a glass of water? Can't you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future.	could, may
can possibility, impossibility	Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people. Learning a language can be a real challenge. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.	It can't cost more than a dollar or two. You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.	could

Could

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."

Examples:

• Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
• Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
• You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
• Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
• We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
could possibility	1. John could be the one who stole the money. 2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 3. John could go to jail for stealing the money.	1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money. 2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money. 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.	might, may
could conditional of can	1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world. 2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world. 3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.	1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world. 2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world. 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world.
could suggestion	1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii. 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii.	NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could past ability	I could run ten miles in my twenties. I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct	I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties. I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct	be able to
could polite request	Could I have something to drink? Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future.	Couldn't he come with us? Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future.	can, may, might

REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not" "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. Examples: Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key. Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

Have To

"Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.

Examples:

• This answer has to be correct. certainty
• The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. necessity
• They have to leave early. obligation

Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future

"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.

Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
have to certainty	1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair. 2. That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street. 3. NONE	1. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair. 2. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere. 3. NONE	must, have got to
have to necessity	1. She has to read four books for this literature class. 2. She had to finish the first book before the midterm. 3. She will have to finish the other books before the final exam.	1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit. 2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class. 3. She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course.	must

REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not" "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. Examples: You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed. You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.

Must

"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.

Examples:

• This must be the right address! certainty
• Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
• You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
• Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition

Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
must certainty	1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair. 2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street. 3. NO FUTURE FORM	1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair. 2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere. 3. NO FUTURE FORM	have to
must not prohibition		You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles. You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics. Prohibition usually refer to the near future.
must strong recommendation (Americans prefer the form "should.")	1. You must take some time off and get some rest. 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest.	1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health. 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver.	should
must necessity (Americans prefer the form "have to.")	1. You must have a permit to enter the national park. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park. 3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week.	1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park. 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park.	have to

REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to" "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. Examples: You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed. You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.

Might

"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.

Examples:

• Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
• If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
• You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
• Might I borrow your pen? request

Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
might possibility	1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems. 2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work. 3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.	1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home. 2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home. 3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.	could, may
might conditional of may	1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win. 2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won. 3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.	1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win. 2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won. 3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.
might suggestion	1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. You might have tried the cheese cake. 3. You might try the cheesecake.	1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON 3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.	could
might request (British form)	Might I have something to drink? Might I borrow the stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future.	NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON	could, may, can

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. Examples: Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key. Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

Should

"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

Examples:

• When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
• You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
• I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
• By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation

Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
should recommendation, advisability	1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods. 2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack. 3. You really should start eating better.	1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health. 2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems. 3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.	ought to
should obligation	I should be at work before 9:00. We should return the video before the video rental store closes. "Should" can also express something between recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to" expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the past or in negative forms.	NO NEGATIVE FORMS	be supposed to
should expectation	1. Susan should be in New York by now. 2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to. 3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday.	1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet. 2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday. 3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.	ought to, be supposed to

Ought To

"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."

Examples:

• You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
• Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves it.
• This stock ought to increase in value. probability
• Mark ought not drink so much. advice against something (notice there is no "to")

Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
ought to recommendation, advice	1. Margaret ought to exercise more. 2. Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the marathon. 3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight.	1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause injury. 2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape. 3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us.	should
ought to assumption, expectation, probability	1. She ought to have the package by now. 2. She ought to have received the package yesterday. 3. She ought to receive the package tonight.	"Ought not" is used primarily to express negative recommendations. (See above.)	should

Notice "Ought not" Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not." Examples: You ought not smoke so much. She ought not take such risks while skiing. They ought not carry so much cash while traveling.

Had Better

"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.

Examples:

• You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
• That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
• You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning

Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.

Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
had better recommendation	1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People should unplug toasters before they clean them. 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it. 3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it.	1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first. 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first. 3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it.	should, ought to
had better desperate hope, warning	The movie had better end soon. They had better be here before we start dinner. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.	They had better not be late. They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.

"Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English.

Have Got To

"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.

Examples:

• Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. necessity
• I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. obligation

Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have got to" behaves in different contexts.

Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
have got to necessity	1. People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the crowded theater. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded theater. 3. You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater.	1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" People don't have to be there on time to get a seat. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You didn't have to be there on time to get a seat. 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You won't have to be there on time to get a seat.	have to, must
haven't got to future obligation		Haven't you got to be there by 7:00? Haven't you got to finish that project today? "Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations. It can be used in statements, but this is less common.	Don't you have to

May

"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.

Examples:

• Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility
• Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission
• May I use your bathroom? request permission

Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
may possibility	1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired. 2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired. 3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth.	1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired. 2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired. 3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth	might
may give permission	1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with your dinner. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner. 3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner.	1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with your dinner yet. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner. 3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner.	can
may request permission	May I borrow your eraser? May I make a phone call? Requests usually refer to the near future.	NO NEGATIVE FORMS	can, might

Shall

"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.

Examples:

• Shall I help you? suggestion
• I shall never forget where I came from. promise
• He shall become our next king. predestination
• I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. inevitability

More Examples of "Shall"

Modal Use	Positive Forms	Negative Forms	You can also use:
shall future action (British form)	I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office. I shall be there by 8:00.	I shall not be replaced after all. I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation.	will
shall suggestions	Shall we begin dinner? Shall we move into the living room?		should
shall volunteering, promising (British form)	I shall take care of everything for you. I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry.	I shall never forget you. I shall never give up the fight for freedom.	will
shall inevitability (British form)	Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe. We shall overcome oppression.	Man shall never give up the exploration of the universe. He shall not be held back.

Would

"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past. For more information on the grammar behind the modal verb "would," visit the following tutorials: Conditional Tutorial, Future in the Past, and Would Always.

Examples:

• If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. conditional
• I knew that she would be very successful in her career. past of "will"
• When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach. repetition

Using "Would" in Present, Past, and Future

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
would conditional	1. If I were president, I would cut the cost of education. 2. If I had been president, I would have cut the cost of education. 3. If I were elected president next year, I would cut the cost of education.	1. If I were president, I would not raise taxes. 2. If I had been president, I would not have raised taxes. 3. If I were president, I would not sign the tax increase next week.
would past of "will"	I said I would help you. He told me he would be here before 8:00.	I said I wouldn't help you. He told me he would not be here before 8:00.
would repetition in past	When I was a kid, I would always go to the beach. When he was young, he would always do his homework.	When I was a kid, I wouldn't go into the water by myself. When he got older, he would never do his homework.	used to

Will

"Will" is used with promises or voluntary actions that take place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make predictions about the future. For more information on using "will" and associated exercises, visit the Simple Future section of our Verb Tense Tutorial.

Examples:

• I promise that I will write you every single day. promise
• I will make dinner tonight. voluntary action
• He thinks it will rain tomorrow. prediction

More Examples of "Will"

Modal Use	Positive Forms	Negative Forms	You can also use:
will future action, prediction	The marketing director will be replaced by someone from the New York office. Fred will be there by 8:00.	The marketing director will not be replaced after all. Fred will not be there. He has a previous obligation.	shall
will volunteering, promising	I will take care of everything for you. I will make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry.	I will never forget you. I will never give up the fight for freedom.	shall

Used To

FORM

[used to + VERB]

Example:

• I used to go to the beach every day.

It is better not to use "used to" in questions or negative forms; however, this is sometimes done in informal spoken English. It is better to ask questions and create negative sentences using Simple Past.

USE 1 Habit in the Past

"Used to" expresses the idea that something was an old habit that stopped in the past. It indicates that something was often repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now.

Examples:

• Jerry used to study English.
• Sam and Mary used to go to Mexico in the summer.
• I used to start work at 9 o'clock.
• Christine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.

USE 2 Past Facts and Generalizations

"Used to" can also be used to talk about past facts or generalizations which are no longer true.

Examples:

• I used to live in Paris.
• Sarah used to be fat, but now she is thin.
• George used to be the best student in class, but now Lena is the best.
• Oranges used to cost very little in Florida, but now they are quite expensive.

"Used to" vs. Simple Past

Both Simple Past and "Used to" can be used to describe past habits, past facts and past generalizations; however, "used to" is preferred when emphasizing these forms of past repetition in positive sentences. On the other hand, when asking questions or making negative sentences, Simple Past is preferred.

Examples:

• You used to play the piano.
• Did you play the piano when you were young?
• You did not play the piano when you were young.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• Jerry used to pay the bills. Active
• The bills used to be paid by Jerry. Passive

Would Always

FORM

[would always + VERB]

Examples:

• You would always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach.
• Would you always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach?
• You would not always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach.

USE 1 Habit in the Past

Like "used to" and Simple Past, "would always" expresses the idea that something was an old habit which stopped in the past. It says that an action was often repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now. Unlike "used to" and Simple Past, "would always" suggests that someone willingly acted that way and sometimes expresses annoyance or amusement at the habit. It also often suggests the habit was extreme. To express the opposite idea, we can say "would never" to indicate that someone never did something in the past, but now they do.

Examples:

• She would always send me strange birthday gifts.
• Sam and Mary would always choose the most exotic vacation destinations.
• Sally would not always arrive early to class. She came late once or twice.
• Ned would always show up at our house without calling first.
• Mindy would not always walk to school. Sometimes, she took the bus.
• Christine would always come late to the meetings.
• Jeff would never pay for drinks when we went out together with our friends.
  Refusing to do something or normally not doing something is also a form of habit.

REMEMBER "Would Always" is Different

"Would always" is not exactly the same as "used to" or the Simple Past. "Would always" cannot be used to talk about past facts or generalizations. It can only be used for repeated actions.

Examples:

• Sarah was shy, but now she is very outgoing. Correct
• Sarah used to be shy, but now she is very outgoing. Correct
• Sarah would always be shy, but now she is very outgoing. Not Correct

Forms Related to "Would Always"

In addition to "would always," English speakers often use "would constantly," "would often," "would forever" or simply "would." Although the last form "would" is correct, it is not suggested because it can easily be confused with other verb forms such as the Conditional or Future in the Past. Similarly, speakers can use "would rarely," "would occasionally" and "would seldom" to express the idea that an action was not often repeated.

Examples:

• Jerry would come to the parties every weekend.
• Jerry would constantly bring his girlfriend to the parties.
• Jerry would often bring his best friend to the parties.
• Jerry would occasionally bring his older brother to the parties.
• Jerry would seldom bring his sister to the parties.
• Jerry would never bring his younger brother to the parties.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• My mother would always make the pies. Active
• The pies would always be made by my mother. Passive

Dare and need

Nowadays, dare and need are not commonly used as auxiliaries, but formerly, both were. Dare is especially rare in common parlance, with the notable exception of "How dare you!". "He dare not do it" is equivalent to today's "He does not/will not/would not dare to do it," while "It need not happen today" is equivalent to today's "It does not need to happen today" or "It might not happen today." However, in the sentence "I need to lose weight," need is not being used as an auxiliary since it can be conjugated to other forms: "I needed to lose weight," "I have been needing to lose weight," etc.

Do

As an auxiliary, do is essentially a "dummy"; that is, it does not generally affect the meaning. It is used to form questions and negations when no other auxiliary is present: "I do not (don't) want to do it." It is also sometimes used for emphasis: "I do understand your concern, but I do not think that will happen." Also, do sometimes acts as a pro-verb: "I enjoy it, I really do [enjoy it], but I am not good at it." (Other auxiliaries do this as well: "I can do it, I really can [do it], it just takes me longer"; but it bears particular note that in the case of do, it is often used as a pro-verb when it would be absent if the verb were present.) Because it does not affect the meaning of its verb, not all grammarians acknowledge do as a modal auxiliary. In a sense, it indicates a lack of modal auxiliary. (Do is also different in that it has a distinct third-person singular form, does, and in that its past tense, did, is used exactly as a past tense, not as a more general remote form).