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  2. La modalité au passé

La modalité au passé

Pour exprimer la capacité au passé, j'utilise COULD ou BE ABLE TO.

I could run very fast when I was a kid.

He was able to speak English and German fluently when he lived in Berlin.

 

 

Pour exprimer l'incapacité au passé, j'utilise NOT BE ABLE TO.

When he was 10, he wasn't able to understand astronomy.

You weren't able to carry heavy suitcases when you were pregnant.

 

Pour exprimer la permission au passé, j'utilise COULD ou BE ALLOWED TO

They could go to the cinema every Saturday afternoon when they were in high school.

I was allowed to work at night after I turned 18.

 

Pour exprimer l'interdiction au passé, j'utilise NOT BE ALLOWED TO.

You weren't allowed to drink alcohol when you were younger.

I wasn't allowed to drive a car before I got a licence.

 

Pour exprimer l'obligation au passé, j'utilise HAD TO.

The thief had to hide for hours before escaping.

They had to pay by credit card bu they only had cash.

 

Pour exprimer l'absence de nécessité au passé, j'utilise DIDN'T HAVE TO.

They didn't have to spend the night outside when they found the key.

She didn't have to break the door to enter.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the correct modal or modal expression in the past               (contracted forms only) 

Teachers   hit their pupils. It was forbidden!

Last Friday, the postman   start early: his boss asked him to!

  he come to visit his friends last summer?   Yes, it was possible!

They   go to the supermarket. There was plenty of food at home.

It   be true: he told me he saw him.

Two years ago, my colleague   move to Paris. It was an obligation!

No child   to work before they are 18!  It was forbidden.  

Three centuries ago, men   treat their wives as children!

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Exercise 2: Translate with the correct modal or modal expression in the past             (contracted forms only)     

Nous pouvions voyager l'été dernier. 

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Tu n’étais pas autorisé à prendre un jouet. 

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Je n’avais pas besoin de manger beaucoup de chocolat.

.

Etais-tu autorisé à  regarder des séries télé en anglais tous les soirs. 

?

Nous n'étions pas autorisé à rencontrer le directeur. 

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Elles savaient très bien monter à cheval.

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Il n’avait pas le droit de partir avant midi.

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La semaine dernière, elle pouvait dormir chez sa meilleure amie.

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Ils n’avaient pas besoin de faire un gâteau.

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Il ne pouvait pas acheter de voiture le lendemain.

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