- •The use of modal verbs
- •Indicates that the action was not carried out
- •Structurally dependent use of can
- •In subordinate clauses of purpose
- •One can’t but do something Ничего другого не остается, как...
- •Table 4
- •Structurally Dependent Use of May Table 6
- •Memorize
- •It might have been worse Могло бы быть и хуже
- •3) He/she might have been ...
- •Stereotyped phrases:
- •May I tell you that ...
- •Can and may Compared Table 7
- •Usage Table 8
- •Must and may Compared
- •Table 9
- •Structurally dependent use of be to
- •Usage Table 12
- •Will not (won’t) have smb do smth
- •Structurally dependent use of would after the verb wish
- •Shall Forms
- •Table 14
- •Meaning: necessity
- •To have the courage to do something
- •Revision
- •Oral exercises
- •In the tram
- •I shall Know it hasn’t been slept on.”
- •23. A) Read the text and comment on the meaning of the modal verbs.
- •170100, Г. Тверь, ул. Желябова, 33
Structurally Dependent Use of May Table 6
Type of subordinate clause |
Examples
|
of purpose |
She hurried (so) that she might see him sooner. |
of concession |
Whatever his invitation may mean, I am going to accept it. |
object after expressions of a) fear b) hope |
She is afraid (that) he may miss his chance. I hoped (that) she might like it. |
Memorize
the set-phrases
1) may/might (just) as well + infinitive
is used as a mild way to express
intention
e.g. I may as well take the child with me. Я, пожалуй, возьму ребенка с собой.
suggestion or recommendation
e.g. You may as well give him the letter. Будет, пожалуй, лучше, если ты отдашь ему письмо. You might just as well stay home tonight.
It might have been worse Могло бы быть и хуже
3) He/she might have been ...
Его/ее можно было принять за ...
e.g. He might have been a Scandinavian.
Stereotyped phrases:
If I may say so ...
May I tell you that ...
e.g. If I may say so, he is a dipsomaniac. Если можно так выразиться, он алкоголик. May I tell you that you’ve got an ideal husband. Позвольте мне сказать, что у вас идеальный муж.
? ? ?
In what ways can supposition implying uncertainty be expressed? Which of them is grammatical?
What meaning is conveyed only by the subjunctive form might?
Is the use of may sometimes structurally dependent? Prove it.
Can and may Compared Table 7
Meaning |
CAN |
MAY |
Possibility |
He can find the book there. Can he find the book there? He cannot find the book there. He could find the book there. I said he could find the book there. |
He may find the book at the library. - - - I said he might find the book there.
|
Request Permission |
Informal style Can I have a cup of tea? Yes, you can speak your native language after classes. |
Formal style May I speak to you, Professor? You may speak your native language after classes. |
Prohibition |
You cannot smoke here (according to certain regulations). |
You may not smoke here. (The usage is not common). |
? ? ?
Is the use of can in the meaning of possibility wider than that of may ? Prove it.
MUST
Note! In past-time contexts must is used only in reported speech.
E.g. I told him he must stop worrying about his son.
cf. We had/were to leave on Monday.
Usage Table 8
Meaning |
Type of the sentence |
The form of the infinitive |
Examples |
Obligation, duty, necessity |
Affirmative Interrogative |
Non-perfect |
I must talk to my daughter. Must he do it himself? |
Emphatic advice |
Affirmative Negative |
Non-perfect |
You must come and see us. You mustn’t turn it round |
Prohibition |
Negative |
Non-perfect |
He mustn’t leave this room. Ему нельзя выходить из комнаты. |
Strong probability (supposition bordering on assurance) = probably, evidently, obviously (вероятно, очевидно, должно быть) |
Affirmative |
to express simultaneousness with the moment of speaking or with the action of the verb in the main clause. b) perfect to express priority to the moment of speaking or to the action of the verb in the main clause. |
He must be ill. Должно быть, он болен. I thought that he must be writing a letter in his room.
She must have come home. Вероятно, она пришла домой. I realized that she must have seen it before. |
Inevitability |
|
Affirmative |
All experience shows that man must die. |
Note 1. In the meaning of probability must is not used with reference to the future.
Note 2. Negative supposition can be expressed by a) the combination fail + infinitive : He must have failed to read this article; b) negative prefixes: He must have misunderstood me; c) negative pronouns: Nobody must have told him about it. He must have read no book.