The English language cannot be imagined without modal verbs. Should, ought to, must, can and others like them - that integral part of the language that is taught in schools, analyzed in courses and worked out in every possible way. However, many, especially those who have just begun to immerse themselves in English, still have many questions - not only in terms of grammar, but also in terms of meaning. Let's figure it out together.
We can speak English
If speak about "can"(“be able”), then we usually use it to denote the physical (im)possibility of doing something ( physical ability of doing something), designations of the potential (im)possibility of something ( possibility/impossibility), as well as requests ( requests), bounce ( refusals) and offers of help ( the offer).
For example:
- He can swim as well as a professional sportsman("He can swim as well as a professional athlete") - physical ability of doing something;
- She can't pass the salt to you right now("Right now she can't pass you the salt") - physical disability of doing something;
- Chinese can be really difficult if you haven't learned any Eastern language before(“Chinese may seem difficult if you have not studied any oriental language before”) - possibility;
- It can't be Ruth, she is on the islands now(“This cannot be Ruth, she is now on the islands) - impossibility;
- Can you please give me some bread?(“Can you pass me the bread?”) - request;
- No, you can't do this("No, you can't do it") - refusals;
- Can I help you?(“How can I help?”) - offer.
Not to mention that when we use "can" in negatives, although we mean that someone cannot do something, this is not a strict prohibition, which, for example, is embedded in the meaning of "must not". So, it would be wrong to translate "No, you can't do this" like "No, you are not allowed to do that" - the correct translation would be "No you can't do it". Such semantic and stylistic nuances are extremely important when using modal verbs, otherwise, choosing the wrong verb can completely distort the meaning of the entire sentence.
Can in past tense
Modal verb "can" can also be used in the past tense - as "could" And "could have". The first, in addition to the standard use cases (we can express through could everything that we discussed above - from describing the possibility of something to failure; the main difference will be that we will talk about the past), we often use to do our request more polite (especially if we are addressing to a stranger or just have a formal, very polite dialogue): "Could you please show me the way?"("Could you show me the way?"). The second we can use if we want to talk about something that is possible now or was so in the past: "He could have been in your office now"("He could be in your office right now") or "He could have run away even yesterday"("He could have escaped yesterday").
We order in English
"Must", unlike "can", it is precisely "should" that matters, which is why it is used in rules and orders ( obligations) - when we want to convey that doing something is strictly prohibited, or vice versa, it must be done:
- You must be quiet on the lessons(“You must be quiet in class”);
- You must not smoke here("It is forbidden to smoke here") = It is strictly forbidden to smoke here.
Also, if you have "can" is a past tense form "could", then "must" it is not, this verb is most often used in the present tense. If you still need to talk about the past, then the past form is formed with the help of "have" and the third form of the semantic verb. Usually, "must have" implies something that should have happened, according to logic and deduction: "His bed is still warm, he must have been here"(“His bed is still warm, he should have been here”) or "If he had gone to Mexico, he must have met Pablo and given it to him"("If he was in Mexico, he should have met Pablo and passed it on to him").
Ask permission in English
Modal verb "may" also translates as “to be able”, but, unlike “can”, it does not imply a physical ability and ability to do something, but an abstract one, and is used when we ask permission ( asking for permission), formulate a polite request ( request), speak out about the possibility of something (possibility of something) or do not allow someone to do something ( refusal):
- May I ask Sir?(“May I ask a question, sir?”) - asking for permission;
- He may pay you a visit tomorrow(“Maybe he will come to you tomorrow”) - possibility of something;
- May I offer you a seat?(“May I invite you to sit down?”) - request;
- You may not take my clothes without my permission, Sarah!(“You can’t take my things without permission, Sarah!” – refusal.
It is also important to understand that "may not" does not imply such a strong prohibition, which is embedded in "must not"- if we need to make it clear that something is strictly prohibited, we need to use “must not”.
"Might", in addition to being used as the past form of "may", can be used, again, in polite requests or saying that something can happen: "Might I ask you a question, Sir?" or "It might be raining tomorrow».
If everything could happen...
We can also use "may have" And "might have" to denote an action that might have happened now or might have happened some time ago:
- Three hours before midnight. She may have gone to her favorite club now("Three hours to midnight. Maybe she's gone to her favorite club") - it is implied that she may have left now;
- She may have gone to her favorite club an hour ago("Maybe an hour ago she left for her favorite club") - it is implied that she could have left some time ago.
Despite their nuances of use and stylistic nuances, modal verbs are very important for the language - they will help you formulate the message that you want to convey to the interlocutor as accurately and expressively as possible, and also give you the opportunity to understand the semantic coloring of the phrases in which they appear.
Modal verbs are a new concept for a Russian speaker and, starting to study them, you should clarify for yourself what kind of words they are and how they differ from ordinary verbs:
This is a small group of words that do not denote an action, but only the possibility, admissibility, probability or necessity of performing any action.
Action:
She writes poetry. — She writes poems.
Probability of action:
She can write poetry. — She can write poems. Modal verbs do not express action, but the possibility of action
- The modal verb stands before the semantic one and together with it form a complex verbal predicate.
- He must work a lot if he wants to become a good specialist. — He must work hard if he wants to become a good specialist
- The verb after the modal is always in the infinitive form, but in most cases without the infinitive particle -to
- You may take my laptop. — You can take my laptop
- They don't need negative and interrogative sentence types in the auxiliary verb. Negation and question are built with the help of the modal words themselves.
- May I take your copybook? — Can I take your notebook?
Yes, you may. Yes you can - I can't translate these quotes into English. — I can't translate these expressions into English
- May I take your copybook? — Can I take your notebook?
- IN present simple tense (present simple tense) in the third person they do not have the typical -s ending.
- She must make a choice. -
- She has to make a choice
What to choose - may or can?
The topic of modal verbs cannot be called difficult, but among them there are pairs of words with the “same” translation into Russian. Such pairs of words, of course, have English language certain semantic shades that determine their use. Today we will consider one of these difficult pairs of verbs:
may-can — be able
Use can or May very often a difficulty for beginners, although their translation, it would seem, is no different. However, I think after studying this table, you will understand that there are clear differences between them, which are not so difficult to remember. Why is it so important to deal with this? Because exactly can And May are among the most frequently used in the English language.
The modal verb can expresses mental or physical ability. Indicates that the actor has the power to perform the action
- I can read in Russian, Bulgarian and French. — I can read Russian, Bulgarian and French
- I can work 10 hours a day, but I am very tried at the end of the working day. - I can work 10 hours a day, but I get very tired by the end of the working day.
The modal verb may expresses someone's approval or permission to perform an action. Indicates that the subject has been given the opportunity to do something.
The modal verbs can and may have different connotations. - He may use this desk when he prepares his homework. — He can use this table when he does his homework.
- Granny, you got a letter. May I read it to you? — Grandma, you received a letter. May I read it to you?
The use of can and may in informal speech
What was said above is the "unbreakable" rule of using can And May in standard English. But what we observe in informal, colloquial English is somewhat different - the modal verb can displaces May out of use.
So, asking permission, the child does not use May, as it should:
Mom, can I play in the yard? — Mom, can I play in the yard?
Yes, you can. — Yes.
At the same time, even adults, knowing the rules and semantic subtleties of these words, still neglect them, considering the modal verb May too prim. Having talked about this phenomenon in modern colloquial English, I by no means urge you to speak the same way - on the contrary, my advice would still be the correct use of these words in appropriate situations.
Video: What is the difference between Can and May?
Do not obey general rules on which other verbs act. They are not used separately and have no independent meaning. Modal verbs "can", "could", "must", "may" express the attitude of the speaker to the main action. What does it mean? Some verbs express the degree of possibility, others - the obligation. After modal verbs, the particle "-to" is not used, with the exception of the verbs "to be able to" and "manage to". Examples:
I can swim. (I can swim).
She must obey her parents. (She must obey her parents).
Who could see my cat? (Who could see my cat?).
Workers are not able to finish this building. (The workers are unable to complete the construction of this building).
She managed to find her mobile phone immidiately when we went away. (She was able to find her mobile phone right after we left).
Rules for the use of modal verbs
As mentioned above, modal verbs have their own rules. But they are not difficult to remember, since the list of such verbs is small:
To be able to - I can;
Manage to - I can;
Can / could - I can, could;
Must - must;
May - maybe.
As you can see, some of them are synonymous. There is a common misconception that the modal verbs "can", "could", "must" and "may" change in person and number, tense. Actually, it is not. That is, we do not add any endings to these verbs and do not change them. The exception is the verb "manage" - we can put it in the past tense by adding - "managed". And also, the verb "to be able to" - here the auxiliary verb "to be" changes according to the general rules.
Verbs "to be able to" and "manage to"
The verb "to be able to" is translated as "to be able, capable, able." For example:
These people are able to do the work in time. (These people are able to complete the work on time).
The verb changes as follows:
The meaning of the verb "manage to" is "I can". It changes according to the following scheme:
In a word, nothing complicated. The main thing is to understand these simple rules.
The verbs "can" and "could"
The next rule is more difficult, but not by much. The modal verbs "can" and "could" are translated as "I can, I can", have a common meaning. While "manage to" and "to be able to" are used mainly in special cases. Although, only in the main. In principle, the verbs "can", "could", "managed", "be able to" act according to similar rules.
* Worth a look. There is no future tense form. Therefore, it is appropriate to use an analogue - "manage to" or "to be able to".
Verbs "must" and "may"
Next moment. The verbs "can", "could", "must", "may" have separate forms in different times. This makes them easier to use. The verb "must" has the sharpest degree of obligation. For example:
You must go home now, it won "t be discussed! (You must go home and this is not discussed!).
If you want to use a milder degree of obligation, give advice or recommendation, then the verb "should" should be used. For example:
You shouldn't eat so much sweet, if you wont to be fit. (You shouldn't eat so much sweets if you want to be slim).
The verb "may" is translated as "I can" and, usually. used in polite requests. For example:
I "m sorry, may I take your pen for a minute? (Sorry, can I take your pen for a minute?).
The verb "must" has no forms in tenses other than the present. Therefore, we substitute similar in value. In this case, it is appropriate to use "to" - "must, forced".
The main thing is to understand everything. Actually, nothing complicated.
The use of modal verbs in negative and interrogative sentences
Word order in English sentences strictly fixed. This means that, regardless of the context, in an affirmative sentence, the subject will come first, then the predicate, then the additional members of the sentence. In a negative sentence - everything is the same. Only after the predicate does "not" appear. This word order is called direct. The order of words in an interrogative sentence is called reverse. Here, at the beginning of the sentence is the predicate, then the subject, then the additional members of the sentence. In the case of modal verbs "can", "could", "may" and others, everything is according to the rules. They function as ancillaries. For example:
I can not (can "t) swim. (I can't swim).
She must not (mustn "t) do it, if she doesn't wont. (She shouldn't do it if she doesn't want to).
They will not (won "t) be able to cook the dinner without the light. (She will not be able to cook dinner without the light).
Can you help me with the dinner? (Can you help me with dinner?).
Shall I go with her? (Should I go with her?).
May I go for a walk, I "m tired. (Can I go for a walk, I'm tired.).
In special interrogative sentences, interrogative words are at the beginning of the sentence:
Who can speak English? (Who can speak English?).
Examples of the use of modal verbs
Consider a few short dialogues:
one). - I want to be a dentist in a future.
So, you should study hard in the school.
I want to become a dentist in the future.
Then you should study hard at school.
2). - You must be gentle with your younger sister.
I will try, but she is too noisy.
You must be gentle with your little sister.
I'll try, but it's very noisy.
3). - What abilities do you have?
I can play guitar and piano.
What are you good at?
I can play guitar and piano.
Practical part
Try to translate the following sentences into English. Use modal verbs for this:
one). Can I open a window?
2). My parents should pay more attention to each other.
3). She couldn't have decorated this room better.
4). I was happy and able to do absolutely everything!
five). Were you able to find the keys?
2) My parents should put more attention to each other.
3) She wasn't able to decorate this room better.
4) I was happy and able to do absolutely everything!
5) Did you manage to find the keys?
In English, they differ from other verbs in that they are not used on their own and do not denote a specific action or
states, they reflect its modality, that is, the attitude of the speaker towards him. Together, the modal verb and the infinitive of the signifying verb form a compound modal predicate.
I can swim. I can swim.
The speaker can evaluate the action as possible, necessary, permitted, requested, forbidden, commanded, unlikely, very likely, etc.
Can or May?
The use of the verbs can and may in modern English is often difficult. Once by strict rules English grammar
can
expressed physical or mental capacity, but
May
– permission and approval. It was considered incorrect to use can in the permission value.
Today the rules of the language are not so definite. Since the second half of the 19th century
can used in informal permission speech. IN
formal and official
situations of communication should use the verb May
to request permission.
For example, in a conversation with a restaurant waiter, it would be more profitable to sound
May I have more salt, please?
As for prohibitions/denials , then the use mayn't extremely NOT recommended. This applies to all styles.
Use May in such cases, although formal and permissible, it sounds unnatural. Educated people are more likely to say
Can't I? not "Mayn't I?" or "May I not?" And even by the strict rules of English grammar, the question “Why mayn’t I go to the disco?” sounds
wrong, you can say "not
in English".
When is what used? Can or сould, May or might?
CAN is used:
1.
When expressed capabilities
or opportunities
do something. (Indefinite Infinitive)
I can swim. You can play. / I can swim. You can play.
2. When do something.
I cannot swim. He cannot see / I can't swim. He cannot see.
3.
When the possibility is denied that the action could
come true in reality. (Perfect Infinitive)
You can't have done it. / You can't possibly do that.
COULD is used:
1.
When expression ability or ability
in past
. (Indefinite Infinitive)
They could swim. / They couldn't swim.
2.
When expression denial of opportunity or ability
taking any action in past
.
She couldn't swim. / She couldn't swim.
3. When used indirect speech , depending from verb in past tense . (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive)
I said that you couldn't have done that. / I said you couldn't do it.
4. In the main part of conditional sentences.
In conditional sentences of the second type and the third type (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive).
If he tried, he could do
If he had tried, he could have done it. / If he had tried, he could have done it.
MAY is used:
1. To express the permission of any action (Indefinite Infinitive)
You may go home now. / Now you can go home.
2. To express an assumption: relating to the present and future (Indefinite Infinitive) or to the past (Perfect Infinitive)
It may rain today. / It might rain today.
She may have returned to Moscow. / She may have returned to Moscow.
MIGHT is used:
1. When using indirect speech, depending on the verb in the past tense.
for expressing permission (Indefinite Infinitive) or expressing conjecture (Indefinite Infinitive and Perfect Infinitive)
She said that he might take her cellphone. / She said that he could take her phone.
He said that she might know their address. / He said that she might know their address.
2. In the main part of conditional sentences: in conditional sentences of the second (Indefinite Infinitive) and third type (Perfect Infinitive)
Use of turnover to BE ABLE TO
As you probably already noticed when considering the verb can
, it has only two forms, these are - can and could
, i.e. when expressed in the present or past tense. But how to betray the meaning of this modal verb in other tenses
forms? For this, it has a synonym expressed by the combination "to be able to"
. This turnover, like the verb can, denotes ability, skill.
I can swim = I am able to swim - I can (able) swim.
BUT it wouldn't be that easy! When using this turnover, it is necessary
consider the difference between modal verb can and the expression itself
to be able to.
The point is that if we use to be able to in the present or past tense as a direct replacement can or could, then the very meaning of the whole sentence changes! In such a case, the combination indicates that a person can or cannot do something in a particular case in question, in certain moment time. Let's try to figure it out with an example, say, with the same verb swim. Let's say I can swim. And this morning, going down the stairs, I twisted my leg, and therefore today, I cannot swim. But from the fact that I sprained my leg, my ability to swim, in general, has not gone away.
I can swim. But I'm not able to swim today. / I can swim. But today I can't swim.
What about other temporary forms? For example, how we will do something in the future.
I will be able to go to you tomorrow. / I can visit you tomorrow.
To give denial
, particle is used not
by joining.
I am not able to… I will not (won’t) be able to… I was not (wasn’t) able to… etc.
It must be remembered
- With all personal pronouns, the modal verb does not change.
I,WE,YOU,THEY,HE,SHE,IT - can (cannot / can't), could (couldn't) - verb "ability" (do, play, see, come ..)
- Between the modal verb and the verb "ability"
missing
TO!
Statement of a question
In an interrogative sentence, in the first place is
, followed by 2. Modal verb, then 3. Acting person and finally 4. Action verb.
(1)When (2)can (3)you (4)get home? / When can you come home?
Will you be able to give me your book? – Can you give me your book? (As you can see, in the case of be able to, the phrasing of the question remains unchanged, as with a regular verb.)
In English, there is a group of verbs that do not denote an action, but only express an attitude towards it. These are modal verbs.
Features of modal verbs are easy to remember:
- They have only one form.
- The semantic verb is put without the particle to.
- They are also called "insufficient" due to the lack of a number of forms.
- They do not have an infinitive or participle form.
The most common verbs are: MAY (MIGHT), CAN (COULD) , MUST.
Consider the verbs MAY (MIGHT), CAN (COULD) and using examples we will see all the features of modal verbs. If you find it difficult to choose the correct verb CAN or MAY, remember just one little hint:
- CAN (I CAN do "physically", I can write, say, do, look, etc.
- MAY (this is a request, opportunity, permission).
She can do it. She can do it. ( Action)
You may take the book. You can take the book. ( Permission).
CAN
We use the verb can when we talk about the ability to do something, or someone can do something (opportunity, ability):
- We can see the lake from our window. We can see the lake from our window.
- I can come in time. I can come on time.
- I can write. I can write.
A sentence with the Perfect Infinitive in the affirmative sentence is translated by the word "maybe". In this case, the semantic verb is translated by the past tense verb:
She can have done it. She may have done it.
In interrogative and negative sentences can in combination with Infinitive or Perfect Infinitive is translated by the words really, it can’t be:
- Can she do it? Is she doing this?
- Can she done it? Did she do it?
4. In negative sentences, the form can't (cannot) is used. I'm afraid I can't come to the party on Friday. I'm afraid I won't be able to come to Friday night.
COULD
Sould is the past form of the verb can. Especially could is used with such verbs:, hear, smell, see taste, feel, remember, undersrand. She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said.
She spoke in a very quiet voice, but I could understand what she said.
We use could to say something that might be happening now or in the future. The phone is ringing. It could be Tim. The phone rings. Maybe it's Tim calling.
I don't know when they'll be here. They could arrive at any time. I don't know when they will be here. They can come at any time.
Sometimes could means "would be able to ..." (.... in a state of ...). We could go away if we had enough money. - We could go away if we had enough money. OR We would be able to go away ... - We are able to leave ...
The missing past and future forms are replaced by the equivalent:
- to be able to (be able).
- She will be able to do it. She can do it.
MAY, MIGHT
Request in interrogative sentences:
May I take it? Can I take?
Resolution in affirmative sentences:
You may take the pen. You can take a pen.
Assumption, possibility with Infinitive or Perfect Infinitive and is translated into words perhaps, maybe.
- She may do it. She might be doing it.
- She may have done it. She may have done it.
- It may be true (This may be true) or It might be true (Perhaps this is true).
May, might are used to talk about possible upcoming actions in the future:
Take an umbrella with you, when you go out. It might rain later. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. Maybe it will rain later.
Usually, in situations that have not yet happened, it is possible to use both the verbs may, might.
- I may go to London. I can go to London.
- I might go to London. I could go to London.
Negative form of may not and might not (mightn't) : It might not be true. Perhaps this is not true.
We only use might when the situation is not real.
Example: If I knew them better, I might invite them to dinner. - If I knew them better, I could invite them to dinner. (The meaning of the phrase: The situation is not real, because I do not know them well, so I am not going to invite them).
The missing past and future forms of the modal verb may are replaced by the equivalent: to be allowed to, to be permitted to. He is permitted to go there. He can go there.
