- •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:
- •Have to can be used together with the modal verb may:
- •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:
- •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:
May (might)
CONCRETE |
IMPERATIVE |
SUPPOSITIONAL |
May/might + Indefinite Infinitive Let’s meet at the cinema at 5 o’clock. We may get there by bus. He said he might get to work on foot.
May + Indefinite Infinitive You may find all the books you want in the National Library.
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May + Indefinite Infinitive You may go now. Might + Indefinite Infinitive (a polite permission) Might I use your telephone, please?
May + Indefinite Infinitive You may not go swimming. Might + Indefinite Infinitive (in reported speech) I said you mightn’t do that.
Might + Indefinite Infinitive You might leave me alone.
Might + Indefinite Infinitive You might at least offer to help! Might + Perfect Infinitive (expresses irritation/annoyance) You might have come earlier!
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Might + Perfect Infinitive If he had arrived an hour earlier, he might have had a good night’s rest.
May/Might + Indefinite/Continuous Infinitive (the action refers to the present or future) He may come or he may not. They might be answering now. May/Might + Perfect/Perfect Continuous Infinitive (the action refers to the past) Why hasn’t he come? He may have been hurt. She might have been staying in bed for a week.
May/Might + Indefinite Infinitive He died so that others might live.
May/Might + Indefinite Infinitive Try as he may he will never be top of his class. 5. Object, predicative and appositive clauses after verbs or nouns expressing fear, hope, wish May/Might + Indefinite Infinitive The doctor has fears that she may not live much longer.
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NOTE:
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 ...?:
Is Mary likely to arrive tonight? Do you think he has already done that?
Remember set-expressions:
I may as well take you with me. You might as well give him a letter
I’ll do it at six. – You might just as well not do it at all.
MUST
CONCRETE |
IMPERATIVE |
SUPPOSITIONAL |
Must + Indefinite Infinitive He must move the furniture himself. I can’t help him. Must you really go so soon?
Must + Indefinite Infinitive You must call me SIR. James said we must invite the Stuarts to dinner.
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Must + Indefinite Infinitive You must come and see us some time. You mustn’t miss this film.
Must + Indefinite Infinitive The girl mustn’t go home alone.
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Must + Indefinite/Continuous Infinitive (the action refers to the present or future) He must be lonely. Jane is busy. She must be packing for the trip. Must + Perfect/Perfect Continuous Infinitive (the action refers to the past) She must have got used to their traditions. It must have been raining when you left.
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NOTE: