Mastering Modal Verbs, Gerunds, and Infinitives

Modal Verbs: Obligation

Present Tense

• Affirmative: I/You/We/They must go / have to go. He/She/It must go / has to go.
• Negative: I/You/We/They don't have to go. He/She/It doesn't have to go.

Past Tense

• Affirmative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They had to go.
• Negative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They didn't have to go.

We use must and have to to show obligation. Example: We must be quiet in the library.

• We only use have to in questions about obligation. Example: Do I have to do the exam today?
• We use had to to talk about obligation in the past. Example: She had to tidy her bedroom before she went out.
• We use don't have to to show that there is no obligation or that something isn't necessary. Example: She doesn't have to go to work tomorrow.

Modal Verbs: Possibility

Present Tense

• Affirmative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They can run.
• Negative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They can't run.

Past Tense

• Affirmative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They could run / was/were able to run.
• Negative: I/You/He/She/It/We/They couldn't run / wasn't/weren't able to run.

We use can/can't to talk about the possibility of something happening in the present or future. Example: We can cook pizza tonight. I can't speak Chinese.

We use could or be able to to talk about general possibilities in the past. Example: I was able to learn songs easily when I was younger.

We use (not) be able to and couldn't to talk about a specific situation in the past. Example: I couldn't eat it; it was too hot.

Verb Patterns

Verb + Gerund

Verbs: admit, deny, enjoy, finish, hate, miss, practise, recommend, (can't) stand, suggest.

We use the gerund after certain prepositions. Example: She is very good at playing the piano.

Verb + Infinitive

Verbs: agree, choose, decide, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, want.

We use the infinitive to talk about purpose. Example: Add salt and pepper to improve the flavour.

Verb + Gerund or Infinitive

Verbs: continue, like, prefer, remember, stop, try.

Example: She continues to study French. They continued playing that horrible music.

Transitive and Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Intransitive (No object required)

Examples: wake up, get up, sleep in, stay up.

Transitive (Requires an object)

Examples: Take care of, cut down on, cut out, stick to, switch off, talk through.