6. Прошедшее время модальных глаголов

can be able	could was/were able
must have to	had to
may	might

I can swim very well. — Я очень хорошо умею плавать.

I could swim very well when I studied at school. — Я очень хорошо умел плавать, когда учился в школе.

I have to read this text today. — Я должен прочитать этот текст сегодня.

I had to read this text yesterday. — Я должен был прочитать этот текст вчера.

Прошедшее время модального глагола may образуется следующим образом:

I	might	have	done	it yesterday.
You	might	have	visited	your mother last week.
She	might	have	bought	some bread yesterday morning.
We	might	have	gone	to school last Monday.
They	might	have	left	to Kiev the day before yesterday.

I may go ashore today. — Сегодня я могу пойти на берег.

I might have gone ashore yesterday. — Вчера я мог пойти на берег.

Вопросы и отрицания с модальными глаголами в прошедшем времени образуются следующим образом:

We	could		not	play chess	last year.
	Could	we		play chess	last year?

They	might		not	have gone	yesterday.
	Might	they		have gone	yesterday?

You may not take my dress. — Тебе нельзя брать мое платье.

You mightn’t take my dress. — Тебе нельзя было брать это платье.

I may not come in this room. — Мне нельзя входить в эту комнату.

I mightn’t come in this room. — Мне нельзя было входить в эту комнату.

could not = couldn’t

might not = mightn’t

Конструкции have to и be able to не являются модальными глаголами, поэтому вопросы и отрицания образуются так:

I	have to	study English.
I	was able to	swim.
We	were able to	play cards.

Did	you	have to	work every day?
Was	she	able to	read English?
Were	they	able to	speak Italian?

TEXT 1

 What is your name?

 My name is Ann Smith.

 How old are you?

 I am twenty-six years old.

 What education do you have?

 I graduated from the Odessa Maritime College. I have worked as a stewardess for three years. I have taken an updating course once.

 Have you been on any long voyages?

 Yes, I have. My last voyage lasted for one month. But I have been on long voyages before. I endure them well enough. Anyway it's my profession.

 Are you married?

 I am divorced.

 Have you got any children?

 Yes, I have. I have a daughter.

 How old is she?

 She is five years old.

 Are you ready to complete all the papers?

 Yes, I am. I am ready to join the ship. I can start my work any time you like.

TEXT 2

 What's the trouble?

 I've got a cough and a headache.

 Have you taken your temperature?

 Yes, it's 38.

 Strip to the waist. I'd like to sound you.

 Is it serious, doctor?

 I think it's the flu.

 When should I take the medicine?

 You should take the pills three times a day before meals.

 Thank you, doctor.