Guia de gramàtica anglesa: Used to i verbs modals

Ús i forma de used to i didn't use to

Forma: Used to i didn't use to van seguits per l'infinitiu sense to.

• I used to be much better at maths when I was at school.
• We didn't use to have much money.

Ús

Fem servir used to / didn't use to per parlar d'hàbits i estats en el passat. Generalment, es tracta de coses que no han estat vigents durant molt temps.

• We didn't use to see each other much, but now we spend a lot of time together.
• He used to be so big-headed, but he's a lot better now.

La forma negativa i de pregunta amb used to s'usa amb menys freqüència que l'afirmativa. Sovint preferim fer servir el past simple:

• I didn't use to be very confident. / I wasn't very confident.
• Did you use to do a lot of sport? / Did you do a lot of sport?

Must have, might have i can't have + participi passat

Forma

Must have, might have i can't have van seguits pel participi passat.

• It must have been difficult.
• He can't have known.

Ús

• Must have + participi passat: S'utilitza per expressar certesa sobre una acció passada (deducció lògica). No ho sabem amb seguretat, ho suposem.
  • It must have been a hard life before modern technology existed.
  • They must have been hungry a lot of the time.
• Can't have + participi passat: S'utilitza per expressar certesa que alguna cosa no era certa en el passat.
  • They can't have lived to a very old age.
  • It can't have been easy having to grow or catch your own food.
• Might have + participi passat: S'utilitza per indicar que una cosa podria haver estat certa en el passat.
  • They might have been healthier than we are now.
  • It might not have been as bad as we think.