Modal verbs
Can/Could • Capability + - ? He can /could walk long distances. He could cross the river. He managed/was able to cross the river. • Possibility + - ? I can/could invite a few friends. The situation couldn’t be worse. • Suggestion + You can/could ask them for help. • Permission, Asking for permission +? Could / can you open the window? You can come later. You can’t come later than at 10. When I was 16 years old I could stay out till 11. oo
Can/Could • Unwillingness I couldn’t possibly leave Tim here on his own. She could have gone to the party with her friends. • Certainty – This can’t/couldn’t be our stop. (I’m sure it isn’t. ) We can’t/couldn’t have left the dog in the house! She can’t/couldn’t be reading! • Disbelief ? Can it be true? Can/could she have gone without me?
May/Might • Permission/asking for permission + ? May I come in? You may come at seven. I said she might come at 7. • Action is prohibited You may not say such things in my presence! • Suggestion + (not enthusiastic) Nobody else is going to turn up now for the lesson, so you may as well go home. • Supposition, possibility, uncertainty + The conference may/might find a solution to the problem. You might have drowned! They may/might not have received the letter yet. She may/might be looking for us. • Reproach + You might have kept silence! You might have helped me! * She may be the boss, but that is no excuse for shouting like that !
Must • Obligation and necessity + They must come at six. I must tell them the truth. • Action is prohibited You mustn’t tell them about it! We mustn’t have you getting tired. • Emphatic advice + You must stop worrying about your son. You mustn’t miss the film. • Certainty (вероятно, должно быть) This must be our stop. Jane must be reading. It must have been raining all the night. She must have come home. He will probably come tomorrow.
Have to • Obligation and necessity +? (приходится, вынужден) He had to do it. Did he have to sell his car? • Absence of necessity You don’t have to go there. (Вам не нужно/Нет необходимости) You mustn’t go there. (Вам нельзя)
To be to • Previously arranged plan or obligation resulting from arranged plans + ? We are to discuss it next time. We were to discuss it the following week. We were to have met yesterday. (wasn’t done) • Order and instructions often official + Norman says I am to leave you alone. • Something which is destined to happen He was to be my teacher and friend for many years to come.
Shall • Promise expressing threat and warning (2 nd and 3 d person) + You shall have my answer tomorrow. He shall do as I say. • Asking after the will of a person (1 st and 3 d person) Shall I get you some fresh coffee? Who shall answer the telephone?
