MODALS and INDICATORS

I know grammar is boring, but it shouldn't be like that. You don't have to understand it quite well... all you have to do is use it to indicate things. For instance, if you want to indicate action in the past, you know that most verbs will take -ED at the end and a few of them will change. Only that!!! You don't have to learn that changing verbs are called irregular and the others are called regular. You don't need that. What you actually need is reference and indication.

Following that line of thought, check out the list of words that can help you be accurate when trying to communicate:

SHOULD: indicates sth is important / prudent
- You should study English more often.

HAD BETTER: indicates recommendation
- You'd better avoid mentioning those problems in the meeting.

WOULD: consequence that is not real.
- If you lived in Spain, you would learn how to speak Spanish.

COULD: indicates possibility (either in the past or formal)
- You could take some exams to find out if you have a disease or not.

CAN: indicates possibility
- We can find great articles on that site.

MAY: indicates high probability and probability that is under your control.
- We may have to face a serious issue soon.

MIGHT: indicates low probability and probability that is out of your control.
- I think it might rain tonight.

MUST: indicates deduction and obligation (formal).
- Tom must be tired. Look at him!

OUGHT TO: SHOULD (not common)
- We ought to take care of these issues.

SHALL: indicates "let's". It is only used with WE and I. (formal and obsolete)
- Shall we begin the meeting?

TO BE SUPPOSED TO: indicates expectation.
- I am supposed to meet my friends at the mall. (I may or may not go)

HAVE TO: indicates obligation.
- They have to finish the project until Monday.

HAVE GOT TO: indicates necessity or obligation.
- I've got to go now.

NEED TO: indicates necessity.
- I need to buy food at the supermarket.

NOT TO BE SUPPOSED TO: indicates prohibition.
- You are not supposed to eat red meat! You heard the doctor!

TO BE LIKELY TO: indicates tendency.
- We are likely to accept their offer.

USED TO: indicates sth was common in the past, but not anymore.
- I used to have more free time.

TO BE USED TO: indicates sb is accustomed to sth.
- Larry is used to arriving at work late.

ATTENTION:

Present / Future
- You should learn another language.
Past
- You should have learned another language. (now it is too late to learn another language)

Click on the links below to master the use of the "indicators" shown above:
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal1.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/auxiliary-verbs/exercises
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/lefg1_mixedmodals2.html
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/lefg3_mightnotcouldnot.html
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal5.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal8.htm
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/usedto/exercise4.html


Best wishes,
André