Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

OTHER MODAL VERB PHRASES

403

Some common idiomatic verb phrases carry modal meanings. These include be to,

be going to

, had better, have (got) to and would rather. These verbs have no 

non-tensed forms and cannot be preceded by other modal verbs or auxiliary verbs

(except for have to without got; 

Û

403d

):

She 

was to have met a gentleman friend at Southampton. He did not show up. 

(be to, referring to a fixed or pre-decided event)

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Modality | 663

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I thought I 

had better warn you now. Before you get too hopeful.

(had better, referring to a desired or preferable course of action)

I

’ve got to photocopy these stories.

(have got to, referring to an obligation)

I

’d rather you came at three-thirty instead of four, if you could.

(would rather, referring to a preferred state of affairs)