MODALS IN THE PAST FORM

Modals in the Past form dalam bahasa Indonesia adalah kata bantu pengandaian dalam bentuk lampau.

Modals
present	Past
can	could
will	would
shall	should
may	might

1. Could + Verb base

Ø  to offer suggestions or possibilities        

 Example:       Patrick               :  Oh, no! I left my shorts.

                    Spongebob          : Don’t worry, Patrick. You could borrow my shorts.

                                

Ø  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.

Ø  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

Ø  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.

Ø  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.

        

Demi           :  Which country would you rather visit?

Selena         :  I would rather visit Italia than Somalia.

Ø  to express polite requests     

Example:        Taylor                    :  Would you mind cycling with me, Kala?

                    Jennifer        :  No, not at all. It would be nice.

                                

Mikola           : Would you please pass the helmet, Bella?

Bella             :  No problem.

3. Should + Verb base

Ø  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.

Ø  to express the subject’s obligation or duty

Example:     You should practice for more than an hour.

        They shouldn’t allow parking here; the street is too narrow.

        Application should be sent before March 25^th.

4. Might + Verb base

Ø  to tell possibilities   

Example:        David                :   Where is Deddy?

                    Copperfield        :   He might be in the studio with Kalina.

Ø  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.