English Grammar Guide: Modal Verbs, Antonyms, and Passive Voice

Types of Antonyms

Gradual/Patient Antonyms: These words have varying degrees of opposition. For example, "black" and "white" have shades of gray in between.

Complementary/Total Antonyms: These words completely oppose each other, with one excluding the other. For example, "alive" and "dead" are complementary antonyms.

Reciprocal Antonyms: These words exist in a relationship of mutual dependence. One cannot exist without the other. For example, "buy" and "sell" are reciprocal antonyms.

Modal Verbs

Advice

1. You should/ought to drink more water.
2. You shouldn't/oughtn't to smoke so much.
3. You had better finish it.

Ability

1. He can read Japanese/He could read when he was four.
2. She will be able to speak English at the end of this course.

Offers

1. Can I/Could I help you?
2. Shall I help you with that bag?
3. I'll take you an aspirin.
4. Would you like me to help you?

Requests

1. Can I borrow your book? (impolite)
2. Could I borrow your book? (polite)
3. May I have a cup of coffee, please? (formal)
4. Might I have a cup of coffee, please? (very formal)
5. Will you phone Jack tonight? (very friendly)
6. Would you mind sending this fax? (polite)

Possibility

1. He can win the race (90% certain)
2. He could win the race (70% certain)
3. He may win the race (50% certain)
4. He might win the race (30% certain)

Permission

1. Can I use your car?
2. Could I have a day off, please?
3. May I speak to you, please?
4. Do you mind if I open the window?
5. Would you mind if I opened the window?

Suggestions

1. Shall we go dancing?
2. We could go dancing.
3. Why don't we go dancing?
4. Let's go dancing.
5. How about going dancing?
6. What about going dancing?

Modal Verbs: Obligation, Prohibition, Necessity, Predictions, and Deductions

Obligation

1. I must go on a diet. (I'm obliged to; I say so) - MUST: internal obligation
2. I have to go on a diet. (My doctor says so) - HAVE TO: external obligation, coming from outside.
3. You must go to school every day.
4. He had to go to school every day when he was a child.
5. They had to do overtime last month.

Prohibition

1. You can't feed the animals (you're not allowed to).
2. You mustn't smoke on an airplane. (It's forbidden).

Necessity/Lack of Necessity

1. I must buy a jacket. (I say so)
2. He has to put some petrol in his car. (Necessity coming from outside the speaker)
3. They don't have to wash the car; I did it yesterday. (It isn't necessary)
4. They needn't wash the car; I did it yesterday. (It isn't necessary)

Predictions

1. They will be home soon (100% certain).
2. Greg should win easily (70% certain).
3. Global weather may get warmer in the future.
4. Global weather might get warmer in the future.

Deductions

1. He can't be at home. I spoke to him a few minutes ago, and he told me he was in the office.
2. He must be at home. I spoke to him a few minutes ago, and he told me he was at home.
3. He could be at home. I spoke to him, and he told me he was going home.
4. He may be at home. I spoke to him, and he told me he had a meeting at the office and then he would go home.

Passive Voice

Active Voice: Cervantes WROTE Don Quixote.

Passive Voice: Don Quixote WAS WRITTEN by Cervantes.

Active Voice: John has composed a new song.

Passive Voice: A new song has been composed by John.

Active Voice: Jenny will start a new business.

Passive Voice: A new business will be started by Jenny.

Passives with Two Objects

Active Voice: She gave me a rainbow.

1. Passive Voice: A rainbow was given to me by her.
2. Passive Voice: I was given a rainbow by her.