Mr. X
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2010
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Nepali
- Home Country
- Pakistan
- Current Location
- India
Hello,
My first post here.
I am a little confused about when a verb is seen as modal and when as past tense. For instance, the dictionary says could could be both the past tense of can and a modal verb. So how do we know when to use which? For example, if I were to write something like this: The man could only smile.
What is the tense of the above sentence? Is it past tense, assuming could is the past tense of can? Or, is it present tense because the very same could as a modal verb can also be used in present tense?
Hope someone understands my confusion.
Regards,
Mr. X
My first post here.
I am a little confused about when a verb is seen as modal and when as past tense. For instance, the dictionary says could could be both the past tense of can and a modal verb. So how do we know when to use which? For example, if I were to write something like this: The man could only smile.
What is the tense of the above sentence? Is it past tense, assuming could is the past tense of can? Or, is it present tense because the very same could as a modal verb can also be used in present tense?
Hope someone understands my confusion.
Regards,
Mr. X