Grammar: Modal verbs (can, may and their equivalents).

• Modal verbs are used to show the speaker’s attitude towards the action. We use them with other verbs. Modal verbs are not “complete” verbs. We don’t use “to”-infinitives after modals: You mustn’t phone now. It’s late.

Modal verb Equivalent	Present	Past	Future
can to be able to ... may to be allowed to...	сan am/is/are able to may am/is/are allowed to	Сould was/were able to might was/were allowed to	will be able to - will be allowed to

In its first meaning “can” expresses:

1.Mental,phisycal,circumstantial ability

2.Permission можете + инф.

3.Request

4.Prohibition нельзя + инф.

We use may/ might:

1. To ask permission/ to give permission (можно)

6. to talk about possible happenings in the Future (возможно, может быть)

7. to talk about possible plans (могу ,возможно)

8. reproach (мог бы)

We also use can/could to ask or refuse permission. Can I make myself a cup of tea?

Could is more politely than can: Could I make a phone call, please.

Ex.6.Analyse the meaning of the verb “may”. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1.I said to Mrs. Micawber :” May I ask what you and Mr. Micawber intend to do, now that Mr. Micawber is out of his difficulties? Have you settled yet?” 2. He said I might come to him any day I liked. 3.I asked if I might bring my wife down next Saturday.4. If he walks from the station, he may arrive in the course of the next half-hour.5. It was some special occasion. I don’t remember what. It may have been my birthday.6. He may not have learned the news, that’s why he looks as if nothing had happened. 7.

Ex.7. Explain the meaning of "can" (ability, permission, request,

prohibition, possible action) in the following sentences.

1. She is unwell, she can't leave her room. 2. Can I smoke here, Mrs. Right? 3. The teacher said they could all go home. 4. A policeman arrived and told him he couldn't park there. 5. My son is not in town; but he'll be here before long. - Can I give him any message? 6. We can discuss it now. 7. I could never understand what made her behave as she did. 8. If you are tired you can lie on the sofa for a bit. 9."Life," the old man said, "can only be understood when you are old. Now I see all the mistakes I could have avoided.” 10. We are in charge of this great business. We cannot leave our responsibility to others. 11. He was surprised that she could paint so well. 12. She is not married though she could marry anybody she chose.

Ex.8.Fill in the spaces with "will be able to" or "will not (won't) be able to".

1. When her arm is better, she ... play the piano again. 2. I'm sorry, but I ...come to your birthday party next week. 3. He ... eat everything when the doctor allows him. 4. My sister ...go out to dances until she is seventeen. 5. Why do you sit at the back of the class if you can't hear well? You ... hear better if you sit in the front. 6. I'm too busy to have a holiday this year, but I hope I ... have a long holiday next year. 7. The train leaves at five o'clock tomorrow morning. We ... catch it if we don't get up very early. 8. He was working very hard before he fell ill. He ...work so hard when he comes out of hospital. 9. Perhaps one day we ... travel to the Moon.

Ex.9.Complete the following sentences using "could" or "was/were able to".

It was a fine day yesterday, so we ....have a picnic, and we enjoyed it very much. 2. He suddenly felt ill, but he.... finish his speech, although at the end he could hardly stand. 3. He spoke very little French when he left school, but he ... understand the language. 4. I got to the station at 9.50 a.m. and ...catch the 9.55 a.m. train. I was very pleased I didn't have to wait for the next train. 5. He has always been good at Math's. But even he ....solve this difficult problem. 6. The town was full of visitors, and we didn't know where we would spend the night, but at last we ... find two vacant rooms in a small hotel. 7. Before his illness, he...work fourteen hours a day if he had to.

Ex.10. Translate the words in brackets.

1. Of course, I (могу) translate this article.

2. I think I (мог бы) show you how to do it.

3. You (можно) go and tell her about it.

4. (можно) I see the doctor now?

5. He (мог бы помочь) you but he didn't want to bother.

6. You (можете) easily get there in 20 minutes.

7. You (сможете) do it directly on return.

8. You (нельзя) discuss the subject with your friends.

9. She was in a hurry, she (He могла) wait for us.

10.There is a sign. You (нельзя) take pictures here.

11.The swimmer was very tired but he (смог) reach the shore.

Ex.11. Translate the sentences into English.

1.Вы, возможно, встретите его на станции. 2.Может быть, он оставил нам записку.3. Вы, возможно, забыли свои перчатки дома.4.Она,возможно,поймет это позже.5. Она, возможно, все уже забыла.6. Он сможет говорить по-французски свободно (fluently), когда вернется из Парижа. 7. Можно мне взять твою ручку? - Да, пожалуйста. 8. Вы умеете кататься на коньках? 9. Когда он был молодым, он мог пройти 20 километров в день. 10. Никто не мог мне помочь. 11. Ты сможешь сделать эту работу завтра? 12. Я умел плавать, когда мне было пять лет. 13. Ты мог бы перевести этот текст? 14. Эту книгу можно купить в любом магазине. 15. Мы сможем поехать в горы в следующем году.

Задания на СРО:

Read the three texts “In the right place …but at the wrong time” and ex. a, b, c, p. 16 (CliveOxenden, Christina Latham-Koenig,New English File,Pre-Intermediate, Oxford University Press 2006)