PRIMBON : MODALS IN THE PAST FORM

When do we use modals?
* To talk about someone's ability (or inability) to do something
   example:
   "We can find your house without the street plan."
   "She can't have a daughter that old!"
* To talk about an action that is necessary (or impossible, or not necessary)
   example:
   "You must always have your driver's licence when you are driving your car."
   "You needn't carry your passport around with you."
* To talk about a situation that is possible (or impossible)
   example:
   "Do be careful with that glass, the baby might knock it over"


      Present Form = Past Form
                       Can = Could
                      May = Might
                       Will = Would
                      Shall = Should
                      Must = -
                 Ought to = -
                      Need = -

1. Could + Verb base
ô to offer suggestions or possibilitie
Example:
Asrie : Oh, no! I left my shorts.
Rolla : Don’t worry, Patrick. You could borrow my shorts.
Asmi : I’m having trouble with English.
Randah : Why don’t you ask Agnes? Perhaps she could help you.

ô to indicate that the ability existed in the past but doesn’t exist now.
Example:
Tasya : Ras, can you climb the durian tree?
Rasya : Well… I could climb durian tree when I was so young. But I think I’m too heavy to climb it.
Mia : Grandpa, what could you do when you were younger?
Grandpa : When I was younger, I could swim across the big river very well and faster.

ô to express polite requests
Example:
* Could I borrow your pencil (please)?
* Could you lend me your jacket now?
* Could you please close the door?
* Could you pass the salt?

2. Would + Verb base
ô for an action that was repeated regularly in the past
Example:
* When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every weekend.
* On Sundays, when I was a child, we would all get up early and go fishing.

ô insert rather into the pattern and use this expression to express preferences
Example:
Justin : What would you rather do in the weekend, go to the party or stay home?
Eminem : I would rather go to the party than stay home.
Angel : Which country would you rather visit?
Maria : I would rather visit Italia than Somalia.

ô to express polite requests
Example:
Andi : Would you mind cycling with me, Kala?
Kala : No, not at all. It would be nice.
Mikola : Would you please pass the helmet, Bella?
Bella : No problem.

3. Should + Verb base
ô to give definite advice (advisability)
Example:
Bunda : Putri, you should study tonight. You will have English test tomorrow, won’t you?
Putri : I will, Bunda.
Debby : You should paint your door, Bobby. It looks terrible.
Bobby : Yes, I know I should.

ô to express the subject’s obligation or duty:
Example:
* You should practice for more than an hour. (to musical friend)
* They shouldn’t allow parking here; the street is too narrow.
* Application should be sent before March 25th.

4. Might + Verb base
ô to tell possibilities
Example:
David : Where is Deddy?
Copperfield : He might be in the studio with Kalina.

ô To express polite requests
Example:
Tian : Might I borrow your coat?
Ringgo : I’m afraid not. It has been brought by Donny for weeks and I don’t know when he’ll return it.