- •General characteristics of modal verbs can (could)
- •May (might)
- •May/Might in the sense of supposition or uncertainty is not used in questions, instead other means are used: Is it likely ...?Do you think ...?:
- •Remember set-expressions:
- •Must expressing probability is not used with reference to the future, instead probably, evidently or to be likely are used:
- •Must expressing probability is not used in negative and interrogative sentences, the verb to fail or negative words (nobody, never) or negative prefixes (dis-, mis-, un- etc.) are used:
- •Must may be used for emphasis, in this case it isn’t translated into Russian.
- •Have to (have got to)
- •Have to replaces must to express past necessity or obligation or to express future obligation which makes it more precise:
- •Have to can be used together with the modal verb may:
- •Remember set-expressions:
- •The difference between the two forms of need in negative sentences with the reference to the past is as follows:
- •Ought to
- •The modal verb should can be used to express emotional colouring in questions like:
- •Will (would)
- •Remember set-expressions:
- •To venture, to have the courage or impudence
- •Remember set-expressions:
Will (would)
CONCRETE |
IMPERATIVE |
SUPPOSITIONAL |
Will + Indefinite Infinitive I will write as soon as I can. If you will help me we can finish by six. Would + Indefinite Infinitive When he was young, he was so poor that he would do anything to earn some money.
Will/would + Indefinite Infinitive The door won’t open. She wouldn’t talk to anyone, even her parents.
Will + Indefinite Infinitive Accidents will happen. Boys will be boys.
Would + Indefinite Infinitive You would be late!
Would + Indefinite Infinitive He would fish for hours without catching anything.
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Will + Indefinite Infinitive Will you pass the salt, please? Would + Indefinite Infinitive (more polite request) Would you please lend me your pencil?
Will + Indefinite Infinitive You will do exactly as I say. Don’t be late, will you?
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Will/would + Indefinite/Perfect Infinitive This would be our train. John will have arrived by now.
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NOTE:
Remember set-expressions:
You would, would you?
I would rather do it myself. He would sooner die than do it.
DARE
CONCRETE |
IMPERATIVE |
SUPPOSITIONAL |
Dare + Indefinite Infinitive How dare he speak to you like that? He daren’t write anything in case it isn’t good.
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_________ |
_________ |
NOTE:
The modal verb dare may be defective or regular. As a defective verb it has two forms dare for the present and dared for the past. It is used chiefly in interrogative and negative sentences. As a regular verb it has a limited usage and no verbals. It has two meanings:
To venture, to have the courage or impudence
He didn’t dare to stop me.
She doesn’t dare to answer.
to challenge, to defy
I dared him to jump.
Remember set-expressions:
I dare say.