6.3.6. Incredulity (in negative sentences)

He can't (couldn't) know this.

He can't (couldn't) be working now.

They can't (couldn't) have arrived.

They can't (couldn't) have been waiting so long.

They can't (couldn't) have been quarrelling when you came.

Note. In this meaning can't / couldn't is not followed by the negative form of the infinitive. To express negation we must use either lexical means or the phrase it can't be:

He can't (couldn't) have failed to come.

It can't be that they don't know the truth.

6.3.7. can / could may be used in special questions for the sake of emotional colouring

What can (could) he mean?

Where can (could) they have gone?

6.3.8. can't but do… means "ничего другого не остается, как …"

I can't but leave this house.

6.3.9. can't possibly do … means "просто не могу …"

I can't possibly tell them everything.

Exercises

Exercise 1. Analyse the meanings of can. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. She tried to think of ways she could economise. (N.I.) 2. I could not but understand her to refer to Mr. Quale, the young gentleman who had appeared after dinner yesterday. (Ch.D.) 3. "Even in the old days you could never count on his being where you expected him to be." (S.M.) 4. He could never have foreseen how unfortunate his choice would become. (K.B.P.) 5. But at no stage did he ever approach the status of a great butler. I could have told you this at the height of his reputation, just as could have predicted his downfall after a few short years in the limelight. (K.I.) 6. Every woman has to judge for herself just how far she can show her independence before her life becomes more miserable or more unsafe that before. (N.I.) 7. "I wish I'd taken along a pad of paper and some watercolours," he (Alan Bean) says. "I could have been the first artist on the moon." (People) 8. "In fact, I hardly imagine that you could forget her." (K.I.) 9. I can well imagine how he must have looked that day. (K.I.) 10. "How calm you are, Philip! How can you be so calm? Don't you realize we can leave this awful house now?" (A.Chr.) 11. "Death was due to eserine, Mrs. Leonides." "So that makes it murder. It couldn't have been an accident of any kind, could it?" (A.Chr.) 12. Certainly the writing of novels could not be recognized as a ladylike occupation. (E.Z.) 13. I could well imagine the blow the news would be to her… (K.I.) 14. She dreaded the thought of facing him, but she could think of no excuse. (S.M.) 15. His house was simple with that simplicity that could only have been achieved at great expense. (S.M.) 16. Elliott could thus flatter himself that he was making the best of both worlds… (S.M.)

Exercise 2. Instructions as for 1.

1. "Could I have these photo-copied please?" (F.F.) 2. Where could he possibly have met his friend Marx? He knew there was something missing but he could not put his finger on it. (F.F.) 3. It couldn't have been the letters someone was looking for in Josephine's room." (A.Chr.) 4. "How can you want to have a wife you can't trust?" (M.P.) 5. Not Mr. Cust! He could never have committed these murders! (A.Chr.) 6. "Oh, it can't be true!" she thought. … she could not endure the suspense another moment. (M.M.) 7. Why had she telephoned to him? Could she possibly have guessed? (A.Chr.) 8. After that she was pretty quiet. Could we have run out of conversation so quickly? 9. Of course, Miss Kenton cannot hope by returning at this stage ever to retrieve those lost years. (K.I.) 10. "I'm getting chilled to the bone. What can Freddy be doing all this time?" (B.Sh.) 11. "You have never mentioned Mr Wetherell to me, have you, Lucille?" "I don't remember." "You can't have done. The name is strange to me." (D.H.L.) 12. "I hope to help." She nodded. "We could do with some help." (A.Chr.) 13. Couldn't the signatures have been erased?" Roger demanded. "No, Mr. Leonides … I could swear to this being the original document." (A.Chr.) 14. "The whole thing's impossible," said Roger. "We were all there. It simply couldn't have happened." (A,Chr.) 15. The car wouldn't start, and could she drive him to the station in the Buick? (J.Ch.) 16.. "No matter how much power or fame or money one has," he (Charles Duke) says, "it can never satisfy without a deep personal relationship with God." (People)

Exercise 3. Use can, could or both and the appropriate form of the infinitive.

1. Since my plan is at fault, blame … (to be laid) at no one's door but my own. 2. I … never (to be sure) what was required of me on these occasions. 3. You look as if you … (to make) good use of a break. 4. "She must be carried. She … not (to walk). 5. With curiosity in his voice Mr. Taylor said: "Hello, now who … this (to be)?" 6. He had touched his cap and asked if he … (to be) of any assistance to me. 7. "Oh, dear," said Mr Spenser. "So you … not (to help) us here either." 8. "But it's nonsense! I … not (to write) such nonsense!" 9. I knew he had taken a fancy to me, but I … not (to imagine) why. 10. By the time they got into Germany he … (to ask) for the things he wanted. 11. I coughed again and set my voice into as impersonal a tone as I … (to manage). 12. Who … (to express) this view better than you did? 13. The success they met with was greater than anyone … (to hope for). 14. I don't believe it! He … (to tell) such an awful lie! 15. I … (to do) anything to save his life. If only I had known he was ruined! 16. I assure you nothing … (to be) further from the truth than these allegations. 17. … I (to smoke) here? 18. … you (to wait) a moment, sir? 19. Within seconds I … (to see) that she was not listening to me. 20. When the news came nobody simply … not (to believe) it. 21. He was sorry she had left him. With his income of twenty-eight hundred a year they … (to manage) perfectly well.

Exercise 4. Change the actions into imaginary unreal using subjunctive II of the modal verb can. Refer them both to the present and to the past.

1. I can't sleep in this stuffy room. 2. She cannot tell lies. 3. You can see everything quite clearly. 4. They can wait a little longer. 5. She can't possibly marry this old man! 6. We can go to the river and bathe. 7. I can't buy such an expensive car! 8. He can't give a definite answer at once. 9. Can you walk a bit quicker? 10. We can't find this book anywhere. 11. I can understand everything. 12. This question can be discussed now. 13. We can stay here till Monday. 14. Can you paint my portrait? 15. I can't promise you anything. 16. I don't know what can comfort them.

Exercise 5. Use can where possible instead of to be able.

1. You've never been able to understand me! 2. She was not able to meet us at the station this morning. 3. Are you not able to understand such simple things? 4. I won't be able to come to your party tomorrow. 5. All the passengers were able to escape from the sinking ship. 6. Who might be able to help us in this situation? 7. My heart was so full, both by what he said, and by his affecting manner of saying it, that I was not able to speak. (Ch.D.) 8. The wonder is … that she was able, physically and mentally, to continue living there. (K.B.P.) 9. His eyes were blue and because he hadn't been able to wash the coal dust off his eyebrows and eyelashes he looked as if he was made up. (S.M.) 10. Isabel's brothers were unable to leave their distant posts. (S.M.) 11. Since this allegation falls very directly into my own realm, I am able to refute it with absolute authority. (K.I.) 12. I am very sorry, sir, but I am unable to be of assistance on this matter. (K.I.) 13. Her elder son, a diplomatist, … had been unable to leave his post. (S.M.) 14. He had bought on margin a number of sound securities for dear Louisa Bradley and was glad to be able to tell Elliott that she now had a profit of twenty thousand dollars. (S.M.) 15. Of course, the whole thing was a strain to her, but now it's all over she'll be able to rest up." (S.M.) 16. … after one has been in the profession as long as one has, one is able to judge intuitively the depth of a man's professionalism without having to see it under pressure. (K.I.) 17. It was thanks to uncle Jay-Jay that I was able to bear the operation, as he was in the habit of testing my nerves in this way. (M.F.)

Exercise 6. A. Make the sentences negative. Use lexical means of negation where can expresses astonishment.

1. Can we trust him? 2. Could you help me to carry the bags? 3. She can speak English quite fluently. 4. Can he have passed all the exams? 5. Can she have understood everything? 6. I think I could translate the text without a dictionary. 7. He can lift this heavy box. 8. Can he have stopped smoking? 9. Can he believe what you are telling him? 10. Can she have done the work alone? 11. I can see something in the distance. 12. She can write with her left hand.

B. Use lexical means of negation in the following sentences where can't expresses incredulity.

1. He can't have translated the text. 2. They couldn't have arrived. 3. She can't have fallen ill. 4. He couldn't have understood what we were talking about. 5. They can't believe these facts! 6. She can't trust them! 7. He couldn't have passed this exam. 8. They can't have done the work in time. 9. She can't have learned the truth. 10. Their team can't have won the game.

Exercise 7. Translate the sentences into English using can in different meanings, to be able, to succeed, to manage.

1. Я могу подтвердить, что эти сведения достоверны. 2. Разве он не может понять, что его обманывают? 3. Он шел так быстро, что мы никак не могли догнать его. 4. Вы не могли бы помочь мне разобрать, что здесь написано? 5. Неужели ты не заметила его вчера в театре? 6. Не может быть, чтобы она снова нам солгала! 7. Пуаро уверен, он мог бы совершить это преступление и без сообщников. 8. Ах, если бы только она могла понять его чувства. 9. Им удалось быстро потушить пожар, никто не пострадал. 10. Неужели вам задали этот вопрос? 11. Боюсь, я никогда не смогу бросить курить. 12. В прошлом году ему удалось бросить курить. 13. Они говорили так тихо, что ему ничего не было слышно. 14. Ему удалось заставить вас изменить свое решение? 15. Куда же я могла положить этот словарь? Неужели я его потеряла? 16. Вы могли бы прочитать об этом инциденте во всех вчерашних газетах. 17. Вы могли бы нарисовать мой портрет? 18. Когда-то она могла прекрасно петь. 19. Не могли бы вы одолжить мне ручку на минуту? 20. В этом кафе мы можем не плохо пообедать. 21. Уже в детском возрасте Моцарт мог сочинять прекрасную музыку. 22. Как удалось ему сочинить эту прекрасную симфонию за такой короткий срок.

Exercise 8. Instructions as for 7.

1. Он не мог продолжать работу, так как чувствовал себя очень плохо. 2. Не может быть, чтобы вы не вмещались в этот спор! 3. Я не могу дать вам определенного ответа, так как не знаю всех обстоятельств этого дела. 4. Куда же он мог спрятать эти деньги? 5. Я не могла их понять, они говорили по-немецки. 6. Никто не может отрицать, что он очень порядочный человек. 7. Мне не удалось убедить ее в том, что она неправа. 8. Неужели она все еще разговаривает по телефону? 9. В то время я не смог бы позволить себе тратить время и деньги на такие развлечения. 10. Он смог описать человека, напавшего на него, прежде чем потерять сознание. 11. Разве вы не могли рассказать о своих подозрениях кому-либо из своих друзей? 12. Не может быть, чтобы он верил в эти небылицы! 13. Никто в целом свете не мог бы быть добрее и внимательнее его! 14. Он был прекрасным пловцом и, конечно, мог переплыть Ла-Манш. 15. Он был прекрасным пловцом, поэтому он смог переплыть Ла-Манш. 16. Я мог бы предложить вам более интересную работу. 17. Я просто не могу поверить, что вы разошлись! 18. Хотя было еще светло, в небе я увидела несколько звездочек. 19. Не могу сказать, что концерт мне очень понравился. 20. Где мы могли бы найти хоть какую-нибудь работу? 21. Не может быть, чтобы они все еще спорили о таких пустяках! 22. Неужели они все знают?

May

6.4. The modal verb may has the following meanings:

6.4.1. permission

You may take my dictionary.

May I come in?

Might I have a look at this book?

6.4.2. prohibition

You may not smoke here!

6.4.3. possibility due to circumstances (only in affirmative sentences)

You may find the explanation in some text-book.

Note. An imaginary or unreal action is expressed by the form might (subjunctive II of may):

You might find the explanation in some text-book.

He might have been arrested if he hadn't left the country.

6.4.4. supposition implying doubt (in affirmative and negative sentences, rarely in questions)

He may (might) be at home now.

They may (might) arrive tomorrow.

He may (might) be still working.

He may (might) not have finished the work yet.

May (might) he have been waiting long? (L.G.Alexander)

6.4.5. disapproval, reproach (only the form might is used in this meaning)

You might help me.

You might have helped me.

Exercises

Exercise 9. Analyse the meanings of may. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. "Sir David has his funny side. You may have noticed it yourself." (K.I.) 2. "Miss Kenton, I wonder if I may draw your attention to the fact that the bed linen for the upper floor will need to be ready by the day after tomorrow." (K.I.) 3. He went about his work with such youthful vigour that a stranger might have believed there were not one but several such figures pushing trolleys about the corridors of Darlington Hall. (K.I.) 4. … she was a malevolent creature and I didn't know what lies she mightn't invent and pour into old Becker's ears. (S.M.) 5. She was a good-natured old soul and I thought it might be just motherliness on her part. (S.M.) 6. I may take this opportunity to say that Larry spoke without haste… (S.M.) 7. "Excuse me, Mrs. Benn. But the fact is we may not meet again for a long time." (K.I.) 8. We don't know whether he [G.Chaucer] received his education at Oxford or at Cambridge. There is some reason to suppose it may have been at both. (F.A.L.) 9. However that may be, he [W.Shakespeare] obtained employment at the Blackfriars theatre … (F.A.L.) 10. "Don't you remember, he never liked telling people where he lived. He may walk in at any moment." (S.M.) 11. His composure had on the others the effect he may have intended. 12. … on the corner outside the petrol station stood a young girl smiling at him invitingly, her mini skirt so short it might have been better described as a handkerchief. (D.Biber) 13. … if they had understood each other's point of view better in the beginning, they might have compromised. (A.H.) 14. "May I come in?" she shortly and unexpectedly asked me in the same sulky way. (Ch.D.) 15. I may mention that Miss Jellyby had relapsed into her sulky manner … (Ch.D.) 16. I may as well say here that having re-read her letter again tonight, I am inclined to believe I may well have read more into certain of her lines than perhaps was wise. (K.I.) 17. If we may judge from his writing he [G.Chaucer] seems to have spent much of his time in reading… (F.A.L.)

Exercise10. Instructions as for 9.

1. Those questions may possibly show some kind of spatial as well as temporal adaptation. (E.Z.) 2. While this may be true in some cases it is certainly not in others. (E.Z.) 3. It could be supposed that Shakespeare had so poor opinion of "Titus" that anyone might print it without hindrance. (E.Z.) 4. "Come on, Taverner. I bet you know who did it. We are not in court, man." "No, and we never may be." "You mean he may not have been murdered?" (A.Chr.) 5. "It's just his death – you see, I think, Charles, that he didn't just die. I think he may have been killed…" (A.Chr.) 6. "Listen, Jen, I may not call you for a few months." (E.S.) 7. He might have realized that you were pulling his leg. (B.D.Graver) 8. "I think he took it because it came from me. He might maybe have hit Jenny." (E.S.) 9. Sir Pitt might have said, "he and his family" to be sure… (W.Th.) 10. That she might, when on her knees, have been thinking of something better than Miss Horrock's ribbons, has possibly struck both of us. (W.Th.) 11. "The ghost!" a rather week voice gulped. "It may have been a flash from a car headlight," a man said firmly. (A.Hit.) 12. As he never spoke a word, he might have been a native, but for his complexion. (Ch.D.) 13. "May I ask you a question?" said I, when we had sat before the fire. (Ch.D.) 14. I do not mind making the admission, however damaging it may be. (S.L.)

Exercise 11. Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the infinitive. Pay attention to the meanings of may.

1. May I (to ask) you to repeat the question? 2. You may (to amaze) to learn what has happened. 3. As it might (to expect) he never came! 4. You might (to meet) him there someday. 5. It may well (to be) that they will offer you more money for the picture. 6. This expedition may (to keep) me away from home for as much as five or six days. 7. She didn't answer at once. She may (to puzzle) a little by my words. 8. He was no gentleman. He may (to have) a lot of money, but he was never a gentleman. 9. "It was so foolish of her to leave the job! She might (to have) a real career in front of her. She had ability." 10. I have not seen him in recent years. He may (to change) a lot. 11. What has happened now might (to happen) long ago! 12. Might I (to know) what you are doing here? 13. Really you might (to do) something to ease her burden a little. 14. However, you may (to have) difficulty in finding the appropriate moment to convey such information. 15. You must come now, or else you may deeply (to regret) it later. 16. "Well, since everyone is giving speeches, I may as well (to take) a turn. 17. You may (to ask) yourself at the moment whether these words impressed the audience. 18. He paused again, looking rather stern. One might even (to think) he was angry. 19. He may not (to be aware) of the existence of this society.

Exercise 12. Make up sentences of your own using the following phrases.

1. to express permission and prohibition: may I …? might we …? you may …; he said we might …; she says they may …; I said you might …; you may not …; she says I may not …; he said we might not…

2. to express supposition implying doubt and reproach: he may have…; they might have…; she might be …; they might have been …; he may (might) +simple infinitive; they may not have …; she might not have been…; we may (might) not + simple infinitive; you might + simple infinitive; you might have …

Exercise 13. Translate the sentences into English using may in different meanings.

1. Возможно, они все еще ждут от нас ответа. 2. Может быть, она еще не проснулась, поэтому и не берет трубку. 3. Ты могла бы позвонить и предупредить нас, что не придешь! 4. Возможно, он не сделал этого из-за страха быть наказанным. 5. Вы можете принести статью завтра. 6. Возможно, он тебя просто не заметил. 7. Чемодан тяжелый. Можно, я помогу тебе нести его? 8. Не трогай мои вещи без разрешения! 9. Может быть, он тебя не понимает (не понял). 10. Возможно, мы получим эту информацию завтра. 11. Может быть, он уже слышал об этом. 12. Вы можете позвонить мне в любое время. 13. Они, возможно, скоро вернутся (уже вернулись). 14. Зачем ты так торопился? Ты мог бы упасть! 15. Мы, возможно, больше не увидимся. 16. Я, пожалуй, подожду еще немного. (may as well) 17. Они, возможно, уже давно находятся дома. 18. Можно, я немного убавлю радио? 19. Возможно, он опять не сдал экзамен. 20. Не волнуйся, он скоро поправится; все могло быть и хуже! 21. "Обещаю, что помогу тебе завтра." "Тогда вообще можешь мне не помогать!" (may just as well not…).