English Modal Verbs and Relative Clauses

Modal Verbs

• Should/Shouldn't: Expresses advice or obligation. Example: You should go to the doctor if you're sick. Shouldn't eat something if it seems strange.
• Must/Mustn't: Expresses strong deduction or prohibition. Example: I must have been very drunk last night. Must not play video games all day if you want to pass the test
• Could/Couldn't: Expresses possibility or impossibility in the past. Example: He could have gone to the supermarket. She couldn't have been at the party because she was at home.
• Can't: Expresses strong impossibility in the past. Example: They can't have passed; they didn't study.
• Might/May: Expresses possibility. Example: She might love cats. He may have studied.

Relative Clauses

• Defining Relative Clauses: Provide essential information that clarifies the noun. Example: We don't often see the people who live across the hall.
• Non-defining Relative Clauses: Offer extra information not essential for understanding the main idea. Example: Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man, was in jail.

Conditional Sentences

• First Conditional: Used for situations likely to happen in the future. If clause + present simple, consequence + will + present simple. Example: If he does his homework, he will pass. Consequence + will + present simple, if clause + present simple. Example: She will be tired if she works out all week.
• Second Conditional: Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the future. If clause + past simple, consequence + would + base form of verb. Example: If I died tomorrow, I would want to restart my life as a butterfly.
• Third Conditional: Used for hypothetical situations in the past. If clause + past perfect, consequence + would have + past participle. Example: If I had gone home earlier, I would have seen my boyfriend cheating on me.

Wish/If Only

• Wish/If Only: Expresses regret or a hope for a different situation. Example: If only I put more attention in class. I wish he was happier.

Reported Speech (Not included in original text)

Had Better (Not)

• Had Better/Had better not: Expresses advice or a recommendation. Example: You had better do your laundry before I get home. I'd better not make a mess or my mum will get angry at me.

Used To

• Used to: Expresses a habitual action in the past. Example: I used to get up at 6 o'clock.