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Learn to Avoid Verb Form Errors in Modal Verb Phrases Edit verb phrases by looking for a correct combination of FINITE FORM + NONFINITE FORM. Present tense modal verb phrases should be edited for AUX (the modal) +BASE FORM OF THE MAIN VERB. Note the highlighted verbs in the table below. The modal auxuliary verb specifies time. The main verb is the nonfinite base form.

PRESENT MODALS	PRESENT MODALS	PRESENT MODALS
The students can learn the verb forms in the ESL Lab.	José can't study in the lab.	Can Keiko learn the verb forms in the lab?
The students might learn a lot with the software.	Some students might not know about the software.	Might their English improve? NoteQuestions with might are very rare and not recommended. When may is a synonym for might and expresses possibility, it is never used in questions. The more common question would be Will their English improve? The speaker is anticipating a degree of certainty rather than possibility.
The students should practice with the software.	They shouldn't miss this opportunity.	Should they practice with the software?
They ought to practice frequently.	NoteOught to is the phrasal equivalent of should. The negative form ought not to+base is rarely used. Example: You ought not to leave your personal belongings in the classroom.	NoteOught to is never used in questions.
Students may work in the lab as long as they like.	They may not socialize in the lab.	May we come to the lab on Saturdays?
You must work hard to become fluent in English.	You must not doubt your ability to learn it.	Must you always doubt yourself? Note Questions with must are very rarely used.
You have to use English to learn it well. NoteHave to or has to is the phrasal equivalent of must and shows necessity.	John doesn't have to go to class tomorrow.	Don't you have to complete the assignment before the next class?
Pedro would like to perfect his English.	He would not like to study Chinese at this time.  Note Would is occasionally used to show lack of desirability. Would / wouldn't is also the past negative form of will. Example: The teacher wouldn't tell us what the test questions would be.	Would you prefer to use the software or attend a workshop?
Those students are supposed to be in class now.	They aren't supposed to be in the lab.	Aren't you supposed to be in class now?   Note To be supposed to is the phrasal equivalent of should and is followed by the base form of the main verb--in this case, be.
The students are able to use a lot of software in the ESL Lab.	Rafael isn't able to come to the lab today.	Why isn't he able to come to the lab? NoteTo be able to is the phrasal equivalent of can, which shows ability or possibility. The first word of the modal (a form of be) shows present, past, and future time. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement when using this modal.

PAST MODAL+BASE	PAST MODAL+BASE	PAST MODAL+BASE
Mr. Tran could speak English before he came to the U.S.	His wife couldn't speak English when she came here.	Could you speak English when you were a child?
The students had to spend many hours in the lab to master the grammar.	Ana didn't have to take the final exam because she had already mastered the grammar.	Did the rest of the students have to take the final?
Tom was supposed to turn in his research project.	He and his friends weren't supposed to skip the final.	Were all of the students supposed to complete a research project?
Some students were able to transfer to four-year universities last semester.	Stella had good grades but wasn't able to transfer.	Wasn't she able to afford it?
MODAL+HAVE+PP	MODAL+NOT+HAVE+PP	MODAL+HAVE+PP
Abity must have transferred already. He's no longer here. NoteThe verb expresses a high degree of possibility or logical deduction.	His friend might not have transferred with him. NoteMight expresses possibility. There is some doubt about the possibility.	Could his friend have gone to school out of state? NoteCould have gone expresses the same degree of possibility as might.
Mrs. Torres thinks her daughter should have accepted her scholarship instead of going to work to make money.	Maria shouldn't have passed up the opportunity to get a college degree.	Should she have accepted the scholarship?
Mrs. Torres was too poor to attend college. She would have preferred to get an education.	Mr. Torres claims that he couldn't have escaped poverty without an education.	Could he have found work in Mexico?
He could have returned to Mexico, but he would still be somewhat poor.	Their daughter must not have realized the struggle her parents went through.	If she had realized that, would she have gone to college?