MODAL VERBS
CAN
has the following forms:
· can – the Present tense of the Indicative Mood.
· could – the Past tense of the Indicative Mood.
· could – the Subjunctive II Mood.
I. Can followed by the Indefinite Infinitive expresses:
1. PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ABILITY (CAPACITY, CAPABILITY) (in all kinds of sentences) (can = the Present tense; could = the Past tense)
Synonyms: to know how to do smth; to have the ability to do smth; to be able to do smth.
ü He can perform complicated operations.
ü Can she translate well?
ü He couldn’t feel or hear anything.
2. POSSIBILIT Y (in all kinds of sentences) (can = the Present tense; could = the past tense)
Synonyms: to be able to do smth; it is possible to do smth.
a) possibility due to circumstances (= circumstantial possibility) At the chemist’s you can get medicines of all kinds.
b) possibility due to existing rules or laws. In old days a man could be sentenced to death for a small crime.
c) possibility of the idea (= theoretical possibility) The sea can be rough. = The sea is sometimes rough.
3. PERMISSION (in affirmative sentences)
Synonyms: to permit, to be allowed.
ASKING FOR PERMISSION (in interrogative sentences). Can I take your book? – Yes, you can. (You can take my book.)
4. PROHIBITION (in negative sentences). You cannot take my book.
5. REQUEST (in interrogative sentences) (“Can” sounds polite; “Could” (= Subjunctive II) sounds very polite). Can (could) you tell me the way to the station?
II. Can followed by any form of the infinitive expresses:
1. STRONG DOUBT (IMPROBABILITY, INCREDULITY) (in the negative sentences)
(couldn’t is less categorical, it expresses greater doubt)
Synonyms: It is hardly possible (impossible, incredible, doubtful, next to impossible) that I refuse to believe that…; I doubt that …; I don’t think it possible that… He cannot (could not) be so old. She cannot (could not) be writing now. He cannot (could not) have been operated upon. They cannot (could not) have been keeping to a diet for several years.
2. SURPRISE, ASTONISHMENT (in general questions)
Synonyms: Is it possible that…?, Do you believe that…?
“Could” expresses greater surprise.
Can (could) he be so old?
Can (could) she be writing now?
Can (could) they have been keeping to a diet for several years?
3. EMOTIONAL COLOURING (in special questions), “could” is more emotional.
What can you know of such things?
How can you have made such a mistake?
What can he have been doing all this time?
4. UNREALITY (usually with the meaning of hypothetical possibility)
Synonyms: would be able to do…, would have been able to do…,
Only “could “ is used = the form of the Subjunctive II Mood.
If he were here he could help us.
If he had been there he could have helped us.
III. 1. “Could” (Subjunctive II) expresses REPROACH (in the meaning “could” is interchangeable with “might”)
You could have met at the station.
2. “Can/could” may be used in adverbial clauses of purpose.
I have bought you the magazine so that you can/could read it.
Yesterday I brought you the magazine so that you could read it.
MAY
has the following forms: may – the Present tense of the Indicative Mood
might – the Past tense of the Indicative Mood
might – the Subjunctive II Mood
I. May followed by the Indefinite Infinitive expresses:
1. PERMISSION (in the affirmative sentences)
Synonyms: to have permission to do smth; to be allowed to; to be permitted to.
I have two novels. So you may take one of them.
Mother said you might take some oranges.
2. ASKING FOR PERMISSION AND REQUEST (in the interrogative sentences)
May I see him in the hospital on Tuesday?
He asked me if he might rest for an hour.
Might I spend the week-end with you?
3. PROHIBITION (in the negative sentences)
“May” is seldom used to express prohibition (usually mustn’t, can’t, don’t, etc)
You may not enter the room until I say so.
You may not go swimming.
4. POSSIBILITY (in the affirmative sentences) OF THE FACT (or factual possibility).
One may often see them walking along the street.
I hope your dream may come true.
It was so quiet that we might hear a pin drop.
“May” is replaced by “can” in interrogative and negative sentences.
II. May followed by any form of the infinitive expresses:
1. SUPPOSITION IMPLYING DOUBT, UNCERTAINTY (in the affirmative and negative sentences).
“Might” is more uncertain
Synonyms: perhaps, maybe.
She looks pale. She may (might) be ill.
He may (might) not have recovered yet.
They may (might) have been waiting for us for an hour.
2. REPROACH (mainly in the affirmative sentences) only “ might ” (Subjunctive II) with the indefinite and perfect infinitives.
You might carry the parcel for me.
You might have opened the door for me.
He is shivering with cold. You might be more attentive to him.
3. UNREALITY (hypothetical possibility) only “might” (Subjunctive II), mainly in the affirmative sentences.
If someone were to make a mistake, the whole plan might be ruined.
If someone had made a mistake, the whole plan might have been ruined.
It was very windy and I might have caught cold.
III. May/might may be also used in:
(in this case “may” and “might” are called “quasi-subjunctive auxiliaries”)
1. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF PURPOSE:
Sit here so that I may see your face more clearly.
He died so that others might live.
2. ADVERBIAL CLAUSSES OF CONCESSION:
No matter how tired he may/might be, he will go to the concert.
3. OBJECT, PREDICATIVE AND ATTRIBUTIVE APPOSITIVE CLAUSES AFTER VERBS OR NOUNS EXPRESSING WISH, FEAR, HOPE:
The prisoner had hopes that he might be set free. (attr. appositive)
Her constant fear is that she may/might have made some error. (predicative)
We all wished he might win. (object)
4. SET EXPRESSIONS:
a) May as well (might as well, might just as well) + Infinitive
I may as well take the child with me. (Я, мабуть, візьму дитину з собою. Мабуть, краще буде, якщо я візьму дитину з собою.)
You may as well give him the letter.
I might as well stay at home tonight.
b) It might have been worse.
Things are not so bad after all.
c) If I may say so …
If I may say so, I think you have treated him badly.
TO HAVE (GOT) TO
as a modal verb can have all the necessary tense forms. It is combined only with the Non-Perfect (Indefinite) Infinitive with the particle “to”.
The modal verb “to have to” expresses:
1. OBLIGATION OR NECESSITY ARISING OUT OF CIRCUMSTANCES
Synonym: to be obliged.
He has to go right now.
She knew what she had to do.
I shall have to reconsider my position.
Did he have to tell them about it?
Why do I have to do everything?
2. ABSENCE OF NECESSITY (in negative sentences)
(don’t (doesn’t) have to…, didn’t have to…, haven’t (hasn’t) got to…) = needn’t
You don’t have to stay with me, if it bothers you.
She knew what she didn’t have to do.
Note: the interrogative and negative forms of the modal verb “to have to” are built up by means of the auxiliary verb “to do”.
Have to replaces must where must cannot be used:
a) to express past necessity or obligation:
They had to do what they were told.
b) to express absence of necessity (in the sense of “needn’t”), because “must not” means prohibition:
You don’t have to make another copy of the document; this copy will be quite satisfactory.
c) to express future obligation (in the case the obligation is more precise):
You will have to take a taxi if you mean to catch the train.
MUST
has only one form for the present tense. It may also be used in reported speech. (the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed with “must”)
I. Must followed by the Indefinite Infinitive may express:
1. OBLIGATION, NECESSITY, DUTY. (from the speaker’s point of view or with no freedom of choice)
Synonyms: to be obliged to; it’s necessary for somebody to do something (absence of necessity is expressed by other verbs (have, need)).
You must talk to him about this incident.
Must you really go so soon?
I decided I must stop smoking.
2. PROHIBITION (in negative sentences)
Synonym: to be forbidden
Students mustn’t stay away from classes without a good reason.
Cars must not be parked in front of the entrance.
3. EMPHATIC ADVICE, REQUEST, INVITATION (in affirmative and negative sentences)
You must come and see me sometime.
You mustn’t miss the film. It’s worth while seeing it.
You must stop worrying about your son. You mustn’t give another thought to what he said.
Note: “Must” may express emphasis. In this case “must” is not translated; it merely emphasizes some action or idea.
Of course after I gave her my advice she must go and do the opposites. (Ну, авжеж, після того, як я їй порадила вона раптом піди та й зроби навпаки.)
As we were starting what must he do but cut his finger. (Ми вже виходили, коли він раптом порізав собі палець (...візьми та й поріж...).)
At the time when everybody is in bed he must turn on the radio. (Саме тоді, коли вже всі сплять, він раптом вмикає радіо.)
II. Must combined with any form of the infinitive expresses:
1. STRONG PROBABILITY, SUPPOSITION IMPLYING ASSURANCE, NEAR CERTAINTY. (in affirmative sentences)
Synonyms: probably, evidently, surely, no doubt, undoubtedly, it’s clear that, in all probability.
He must be ill. He looks so pale.
The book is not on the shelf. Jane must be reading it.
He is smoking over there. He must have finished his work.
It must have been raining all the night. There are big puddles in the garden.
Note: When “must” expresses strong probability, it is not used:
a) with reference to the future. (in this case we find words “probably, evidently,(un)likely” in the sentence)
He will probably come tomorrow.
She will evidently feel lonely.
They are (un)likely to come.
b) in negative and interrogative forms. (the negative meaning is expressed by negative affixes, negative pronouns, or lexically)
Evidently (probably) they didn’t come to any agreement.
They must have failed to come to any agreement.
They must have misunderstood us.
He must never have guessed the truth.
He must be unaware of that.
They must have been inattentive.
They must have had no chance to warn you.
The letter must have been left unanswered.
TO BE TO
as a modal work is used in the Present and Past tenses. It expresses:
1. OBLIGATION arising out of (resulting from) the arrangement or plan (in affirmative and interrogative sentences)
Synonyms: to plan; to make a plan; to arrange; to agree; to decide.
We are to complete this work by tomorrow.
When am I to come?
I was to meet Mother at the dentist’s at 11.
Note: The past tense of the verb “to be” in combination with the Perfect Indefinite denotes an action that did not take place.
I promised to go to the club with her, and I really forgot all about it.
We were to have played a duet together.
In the following meaning only the Indefinite Infinitive is used:
2. (STRICT) ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS (often official) (in the affirmative sentences)
Strict prohibition (in the negative sentences)
You are to do it exactly the way you are told.
If your letter contains anything valuable you are to register it.
You are not to leave the place until I return.
3. PURPOSE, PLAN
A knife is to cut with.
The prize was to honor him for his great discoveries.
4. POSSIBILITIY (in all kinds of sentences, with the Passive indefinite infinitive)
He was often to be seen in the bar of the Hotel Metropole.
Where is he to be found?
Such envelopes aren’t to be bought anywhere.
(“to be to” is equivalent to “can” and “may”)
Note: Question with “How…?” and the Active indefinite infinitive:
How am I to replay you for your kindness?
5. SOMETHING THAT IS DESTINED TO HAPPEN, THAT IS UNAVOIDABLE (in the affirmative and negative sentences)
He did not know at the time that he was never to see his native place again.
If we are to be neighbors for life, we should be on friendly terms.
It was not to be.
Here are some set phrases:
What am I to do?
Where am I to go?
What is to become at me? (Що зі мною буде?)
When am I to be there?
Who is to begin?
Who is to blame?
What is to be done?
It is to be hoped. (Треба сподіватись.)
NEED
as a modal verb may be used:
· as a defective (недостатній) verb. It has only one form. In reported speech it remains unchanged. “Need” is followed by the infinitive without the particle “to”.
· as a regular verb. It has the past form “needed”, and regular negative and interrogative forms. It is followed by the infinitive with the particle “to”.
Need expresses (in the combination with the Indefinite Infinitive):
1. NECESSITY (in the interrogative and affirmative (not typical) sentences)
2. ABSENCE OF NECESSITY (in the negative sentences)
Synonyms: There is no need to do it. It is not necessary to do it. There is no necessity to do it.
Need I answer this question?
You needn’t be afraid of me.
Do I need to show my documents every time?
You don’t need to tell me that you are sorry.
Note I: In negative sentences it is not always the verb need that is in the negative form; the negation may be found elsewhere in the sentence:
They need hardly discuss the problem again.
I don’t thin k we need give her any more of our attention.
Note II: didn’t need to do something (1) didn’t have to do something; 2) it was not necessary, but it was done). Needn’t have done something (1) it was not necessary, but it was done
I didn’t need to buy the textbook (and I didn’t) as I had it at home.
He needn’t have bought the book (but he did) as it is available at library.
Note III: Occasionally “need” may be found in affirmative sentences, but it is not typical:
a) after the negation in the main clause (example – see NOTE I)
b) after the verb “to doubt” (I doubt if I need ring him up.)
c) in indirect questions (She wonders if he need stay in the office.)
Note IV: The regular verb “need” may be followed by a noun or pronoun, but in this case it is not a modal verb, it is a notional verb:
She needs a new dictionary.
Does he need my help?
SHALL
is not purely the modal verb. It always combines its modal meaning obligation with the function of the auxiliary verb in the future tense. As a modal verb “shall” is not translated into Ukrainian, usually its meaning is rendered by emphatic intonation. “Shall” is combined only with the Indefinite Infinitive and expresses:
1. PROMISE (in affirmative and negative sentences, with the 2nd or 3rd person)
Don’t worry, you shall have a minute’s rest before the meeting.
2. THREAT OR WARNING (in affirmative and negative sentences, with the 2nd and 3rd person)
She shall pay for it, she shall.
Anyone found guilt shall be shot at once.
3. COMPULSION OR STRICT ORDER (in affirmative and negative sentences, with the 2nd or 3rd person)
Y ou shall stop reading fiction books at your lectures.
4. INTENTION, DETERMINATION (in affirmative and negative sentences, with the 1st person)
I want that prize and I shall win it.
5. SUGGESTION, ASKING FOR INSTRUCTIONS, MAKING AN O FFER (in interrogative sentences, with the 1st and 3rd person)
Shall I make you a cup of coffee?
Shall I start speaking on the topic?
Note: the above-mentioned meanings are closely connected with the meaning of obligation which is at present not common in spoken English and which is normally confined to formal or archaic style (official regulations or other documents) and is mainly found in subordinate clauses:
It has been decided that the second reading shall not be opposed.
The fine shall not exceed 100 dollars.
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