Advanced Modals (Subjunctive part 3)
Review
Let’s recall that modals are a special kind of verb (an auxiliary verb, like “to have” in the perfect tenses (I have worked at
this company for four years), “to do” for questions and negation (Do you like...? I do not like...), and “to be” in the passive
and continuous tenses (English is spoken here, she is studying hard).
Modals are always used in conjunction with regular verbs and they have special rules:
no “to” between the modal and the second verb
no “s” on the modal for he/she/it (in fact, there is no conjugation at all. Modals never change.)
For example: compare “He likes to learn new things” with “He should learn new things”.
In Basic Business English (level C), we grouped the modals into four categories, or function groups. You can see that several
of them appear in more than one function group.
PROBABILITY AND POSSIBILITY: will, could, might, may, must, can, should
PERMISSION AND REQUESTS: can, may, could, would
CAPACITY: can/could
RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS/OBLIGATIONS: should, might, must, had better
And we already know how to make interrogative sentences (questions). How? By reversing the order in which the subject
and the modal appear.
I should go in to work early this morning.
Should we review the project tonight after work?
Later, in Intermediate Business English level B (The previous course) we studied the use of several modals in a fifth function
group: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES. Remember the zero, first, second, third, and mixed conditionals? Here are some
examples taken from that lesson:
If you meet with the client tomorrow, you should be able to close the deal. (likely outcome) (first conditional)
If the product launch went international, our brand would gain global recognition. (Subjunctive: “went”) (second
cond.)
If we reduced our prices, we could undercut competitors. (Subjunctive: “reduced”) (second cond.)
If we hired more sales staff, our revenue might double. (Subjunctive: “hired”) (second cond.)
If the presentation had been more polished, we could have impressed the investors. (third cond.)
Had the sales team followed up, they would have closed the deal. (third cond.)
Beyond the basics
Now, before we explore the subjunctive (or unreal) mood, let’s take a look at how modals are used across some of the more
advanced tenses in the indicative (real or ordinary) mood.
Tense Structure Examples Usage
Modal + have + past
Past perfect - She could have won the race. Used in the third conditional
participle
- I should have called you earlier. Expressing regret or criticism.
- They might have forgotten the meeting. Expressing uncertainty about the past.
- He must have left his phone at home. Drawing conclusions about past events.
Future Will + have + past - By next week, she will have finished her Making predictions or assumptions about completed future
perfect participle project. actions.
Present Making deductions about ongoing (en curso) actions in the
Modal + be + verb-ing - They must be joking.
continuous present.
- She could be studying right now. Expressing possibility about ongoing actions.
Past perfect Modal + have been +
- He should have been paying attention. Expressing regret or criticism about ongoing past actions.
continuous verb-ing
Future
Modal + be + verb-ing - She will be traveling tomorrow morning. Describing planned or anticipated ongoing future actions.
continuous
Advanced modals
Unlike the indicative (real or ordinary) mood, the subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations (such as the
conditionals), as well as unreal concepts such as wishes, desires, commands, requests, or suggestions. Above, we reviewed
how to form the subjunctive in a second conditional sentence by using the past form to describe something that is
hypothetical or unreal, but not actually past:
If the product launch went (se hiciera) international, our brand would gain global recognition.
If I were you, I wouldn’t take that job.
The subjunctive has all but (practicamente) disappeared the English language. You almost never hear it on the street. Yet
for formal contexts such as legal or literary writing, it is important to understand. We will study legal language in the
advanced courses, so we might as well take a final look at the subjunctive now, in the context of modal verbs..
Should
“Should” is used in formal contexts to express recommendations or hypothetical conditions:
If he should arrive early, please inform me. (Hypothetical condition, formal)
Si fuera a llegar temprano
If he arrives early, let me know. (informal)
It is essential that she should attend the meeting. (Recommendation, archaic)
Es imprecindible que asista
It is essential that she attend (modern)
Indeed it will be better that you should not do it. (Literary, recommendation)
Será mejor que no lo hagas.
You’d better not do it / you had better not do it. (Informal)
It is not at all likely that he should come again. (archaic, formal)
No es probable en absoluto que vuelva a venir.
He probably won’t ever come again. (Informal)
Shall
“Shall” can imply legal or formal obligation.
The terms of the agreement stipulate that the tenant shall pay on the first of every month.
The Supplier shall deliver the Goods to the designated location on or before the Delivery Date specified in Exhibit A.
May and might: possibility or subtle permission
The SELLER shall deliver the goods on any day that the BUYER may name.
El VENDEDOR entregará los bienes en cualquier día que el COMPRADOR designe.
I will make it my business to call any afternoon you may name. (archaic)
Me ocuparé personalmente de llamar cualquier tarde que usted designe.
I will be sure to call in the afternoon, on whichever day you choose. (modern)
Same thing for the past:
He indicated that he would meet me on any day that I might suggest. (formal/archaic)
...que yo indicara/sugiriera
He said he’d meet me on any day I chose. (modern, informal)
May and might: purpose or desired outcome
So that the client may be informed promptly, we will implement a real-time notification system. (formal)
Para que el cliente sea informado de manera expedita, implementaremos...
So the client can be informed promptly, we will implement ... (informal)
The CEO emphasized the importance of managing the budget in such a way that the revenue might always exceed the
company's operational expenses. (formal)
El CEO enfatizó la importancia de gestionar el presupuesto de tal manera que los ingresos siempre superaran los
gastos operativos de la empresa.
The CEO emphasized the importance of managing the budget so that the revenue would always exceed the company’s
operational expenses. (informal)
The difference between “will” and “shall”
Practically speaking, you will only ever need “will”; never “shall” unless you are working with legal documents such as
contracts, judicial rulings (fallos), lawsuits, etc. Also, in modern British English, the distinction between “will” and “shall”
is still sometimes made. So, we will now cover the basics and study “shall” and “will” again in the advanced course when
working with legal language.
Nowadays, and especially in the United States, “shall” is almost never used in everyday speech, but the old rule is as follows:
To express a future event without emotional overtones (conotaciones/matices), we say “I shall/we shall,” and
“you/he/she/they will”; conversely, for the modal/colored future (to express a wish, intention, threat, assurance,
promise, consent, refusal, offer, permission, command, emphasis, willfulness, or insistence, we say “I/we will” and
“you/he/she/they shall”.
I/we you/he/she/they
Plain future shall will
Modal future will shall
Plain Future
I shall/you will die someday.
Modal future
I will tell you presently. (My promise.) (‘presently’ here means ‘soon’; usually “at this time/currently”.)
You shall repent it before long. (My threat.)
He shall not have any. (Speaker’s refusal.)
There is an illustrative old joke about the man who drowned in a river because he had shouted “I will
die! Nobody shall help me!”
*It may be interesting and/or helpful to remember that “will” as a noun means voluntad.
Semi-modals: “Need” and “Dare”
“Need” and “dare” can function as normal verbs or as modal verbs.
Need
As a normal verb, “need” requires auxiliary verbs for negatives and questions: (and “to” is used in the following verb, as
well as the “s” for he/she/it.)
Affirmative: She needs more time to finish the project.
Negative: She does not need to attend the meeting.
Interrogative: Does she need to bring anything?
As a modal verb, “need” is used without auxiliary verbs and without “to” in following verbs, and without the “s” that
indicates he/she/it.
Present: (rarely used) I do not know that it need be so at all. (archaic and literary)
No estoy seguro de que tenga que ser así en lo más mínimo.
Negative: You need not worry about the details.
Interrogative: Need we submit this today?
“Dare” is similar
As a normal verb, “Dare” requires auxiliary verbs for negatives and questions: (and “to” is used in the following verb, as
well as the “s” for he/she/it.)
Affirmative: He dares to speak up in meetings.
Negative: He doesn’t dare to challenge the decision.
Interrogative: Does he dare to try something new?
As a modal verb, “dare” is used without auxiliary verbs and without “to” in following verbs, and without the “s” that
indicates he/she/it.
Affirmative: (Rarely used) How dare you speak to me in such a manner!
Negative: He dare not contradict her.
Interrogative: Dare we take such a risk? (compare with “Should we dare to take such a risk?”)
Common modal idioms and expressions
Might as well
The fullest form of the phrase (little heard now) indicates why it has this meaning:
We might just as well (do X) as not. That is, we’re equally well-off (bien) doing X as not doing X.
Here are some different ways in which this idiom is used:
To suggest a lack of better alternatives or resignation: We might as well leave now; the show is canceled.
To express encouragement to attempt something, even if success is uncertain: We might as well try calling again;
we’ve got nothing to lose.
To expresses similarity or equivalence: This (part-time) job might as well be a full-time position with all the hours
I’m working.
Couldn’t care less
Indicates complete indifference: I couldn’t care less about the better pay. The offered job is in Siberia!
Must be joking
Expresses disbelief or incredulity: You must be joking if you think I’ll agree to that.
Won’t/wouldn’t hear of it
Indicates refusal to consider something: The boss wouldn’t hear of us paying for our own expenses; he’s a generous guy.
Would rather
Expresses preference: I would rather work late tonight than get up early in the morning.
“Can’t help but” or “Can’t help + gerund”
Indicates compulsion or inevitability: I can’t help but feel nervous about the interview. (or I can’t help feeling nervous...)
Wouldn’t miss it for the world
Expresses strong commitment or enthusiasm: The conference is in Hawaii. I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Can’t stand X
Indicates strong dislike or aversion: I can’t stand flying in airplanes nowadays. I can’t stand that guy!
Wouldn’t hurt to
Suggests that an action is harmless (inofensivo) or worth considering: It wouldn’t hurt to double-check your work.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Used to agree strongly with someone’s statement: Your comment was perfect—I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Should’ve known better
Expresses reprimand (regaño), regret, or self-reprimand: I should’ve known better than to leave the meeting early. Now I’m
on five different committees! or Why did you do that? You should have known better! or You know better than that!
Could use
Expresses a need or desire for something: I could use a vacation right about now.
Can’t wait
Indicates eager anticipation: I can’t wait for the weekend!
