Modal Verbs
CAN l l l 1)Physical or mental ability (физическая, умственная возможность) He can lift this box. He could draw well when he was a child. 2)possibility ( возможность) You can save your money by putting it in the bank. 3) asking for permission, suggestion (просьба о разрешении, предложение ) Could you get me a glass of water? ( could –не могли бы вы – is more polite and formal than can) Can I help you? (suggestion) = Could I/Shall I/Would you like me to…? 4)giving permission( разрешение – можете) or refusing permission (запрет) – нельзя (we use can/can’t, not could/couldn’t ) You can go now. You can’t cross the street here.
CAN We use «to be able to» (not could) in the meaning «managed to» (смог, удалось) to show that someone had the ability to do something in a particular situation in the past (однократное действие в определенной ситуации). We use “could” to show that someone had the ability to do something repeatedly in the past (неоднократное действие в прошлом). Compare: He could read when he was 5. (мог ) The fire spread quickly but we were able to escape. (смогли, нам удалось в конкретной ситуации) l We use the negative form couldn’t for both cases. My little sister couldn’t wash herself when she was little. Mark tried, but he couldn’t find out what was wrong with the computer. l
Use could/was/were able to/manage l l l l I …not finish the work yesterday. My father…to repair my bike when I broke it last summer. When he came to London, he…to do without an interpreter. Last year he…speak English fluently. I’m glad that I… help you. I …. not/ translate this text, though you had explained all the rules. …you/pass the exam yesterday? …he read when he was 5?
CAN in the meaning of Possibility -possibility in the present or in the past (возможность, вероятность) John is late. He could be stuck in traffic. The driver could have been killed. (Luckily, he wasn’t) l - doubt or surprise (сомнение или удивление) – неужели (? ) Сan he know it? Can he have said it? l - negative assumption (невероятность - не может быть, чтобы ( -) It can’t be true. You сan’t have done it. l
Use can/can’t do/ have done… l l l Не может быть, чтобы он опоздал. Он всегда такой пунктуальный. Не может быть, чтобы он уже прочитал книгу, она трудна для него. Вряд ли она забыла об этом. Неужели вы не помните, что я возвратил вам книгу? Разве кто-нибудь мог тогда подумать, что эта команда займет 1 место? Не может быть, чтобы он так сказал. Неужели было так холодно? Не может быть, чтоб он был дома сейчас. Неужели он так хорошо знает китайский язык? Неужели он отказался поехать туда? Не может быть, чтобы он потерял эти документы. Не может быть, чтобы они уехали, не попрощавшись с нами.
Change into the past l l l l Kate can swim well. The students can speak English well. We can go to the cinema tonight. The trip can’t be so dangerous. The lesson can’t be over now. It can’t be a mistake. The train can’t leave soon/ The book can’t be sold at such a ridiculous price.
MAY/MIGHT l l l l l )asking for permission (просьба –могу ли я? (may like could is more polite than can, might is a very formal form ) May I see your garden, please? Might I have a look at this report? giving or refusing permission (разрешение или запрет(may is more formal, usually used in written reports)We use may/may not, but not might/might not. You may not leave your luggage here. Possible actions in the future (возможные действия в будущем – возможно, может быть) I may go to Italy. May can denote strong doubt, uncertainty (может выражать сильное сомнение, неуверенность – может быть, возможно(perhaps) –(might – более сильное сомнение и неуверенность) I’m not sure that he may/might be in the office now. I can’t find my bag. – You might have left it in the shop.
Paraphrase l l l It is likely to rain tomorrow. Perhaps he took your key by mistake. Maybe he is working at the project now. This boy is likely to win the competition. Maybe the flight was delayed because of a snowstorm. Perhaps we’ll see a lot of wonderful sights in this city.
VIRTUAL REALITY: DANGER AHEAD? l l What can we do with the help of VR? What must we remember about virtual reality? What do we have to do to avoid its side effects? What should humanity do to save its morals and ethics?
Must (have to, be to) l l l 1)Duty , necessity (долженствование, необходимость) We must follow this instruction. – должны, обязаны 2)order (приказ, побуждение) You must leave the room at once. –Немедленно выйдете из комнаты. 3) strong advice (настоятельный совет) You must talk to the lawyer. (I strongly advise you to…) 4)prohibition (запрет) You mustn’t smoke here. –нельзя Compare: отсутствие необходимости- не нужно She doesn’t have to get up early. The lessons begin at 10. She needn’t get up early. The lessons begin at 10.
Must/Have to l l l 1) Must means the Speaker finds it important I must phone home at once. You must give up smoking. 1) To have to denotes necessity arising from circumstances (означает необходимость в силу каких-либо обстоятельств) – должен=приходится, вынужден I have to get up at 6. My working day begins at 8. Last night Dan became ill. He had to call a doctor.
Probability (вероятность) Must -90% May -50% Can’t -90% I’m certain, I’m sure, I’m confident, probably Likely, perhaps, possible I’m certain, I’m sure, I’m confident, probably Должно быть, вероятно Может быть, похоже, возможно Why is he absent? -He must be ill. He may be in the cinema or at his friends’. He must be shopping now. John may be looking for his dog. They look happy. They must have had a wonderful holiday. He may have missed his bus. Не может быть, чтобы… He can’t be so selfish. Can he be so selfish? (Неужели? ) Linda can’t be missing her classes now. She can’t have told a lie.
Express strong doubt. Use the necessary infinitive. l l l l Can it (be) so snowy last January? She can’t (do) it. She is a very noble person Can it (be) a joke? He can’t (forget) about his promise. He is always so reliable. Can he (dislike) the room? It is so cosy. Could he (be) dismissed from his job. He is said to be a good specialist. You can’t (miss) your train then. You can’ (read) this book. It has just been published.
Paraphrase l l l l I’m sure this channel satisfies any taste. I’m certain he is watching his favourite feature film now. I’m confident television is very harmful for our eyes. I’m sure he found this information in the Internet. I’m certain he spent the whole evening surfing the channels. Probably this channel has a wider choice of programmes. Probably modern television broadcasts its programmes all over the country.
Paraphrase using MUST or MAY l l l I’m certain the weather will change soon. It is likely the train is leaving. Probably they have finished their work at the project. Perhaps I’ll be able to help him. I’m sure I’ve already seen this feature film before. It’s likely they are working in the lab.
Change into the past l l l l I must get up early. He must be working now. We must move to another room. Our boss must be stuck in the traffic jam. This information must be very helpful. We must use the dictionary to cope with the text. They must be discussing the new project.
Should and ought to Moral duty A man should help his parents when they become old. l Advice You should be more careful. l Reproach, regret It was his birthday yesterday. You should have sent him a card. Тебе бы следовало, жаль, что ты не…. l
Shall l l l 1)Suggestion (Предложение) Shall I help you choose the present? (Тебе помочь. . ? ) Shall we go to the supermarket today? Asking for instruction (Получение инструкции _ что-то сделать? ) Shall I open the window? Where shall we go tonight? (куда бы пойти? )
Will/would l l l Request (Просьба Would=could is more polite than will/can) Will/can you hold the plate for me, please? Would/could you post this letter?
