Grammar Training

1. Study Grammar Reference p … and analyze the following examples. Point out the difference in meaning of the modal verbs and infinitives. Translate the sentences into Russian.

a.

1) The editor may assign Gerald to cover the events in Palestine.

2) The editor might assign Gerald to cover the events in Palestine.

b.

1) Gerald may be carrying out an assignment in the Middle East.

2) Gerald may have completed his assignment in the Middle East.

c.

1) This journalist might not be privy to classified information.

2) This journalist can’t be privy to classified information.

d.

1) Why hasn’t flight BA123 left yet? – It might be delayed due to bad weather.

2) Why hasn’t flight BA123 left yet? – It can only be delayed due to bad weather.

e.

1) You shouldn’t have taken part in the clashes. You could have got hurt.

2) Look! Max is very pale. He might have got hurt.

f.

1) George is much too persistent in his investigation of this case. He must be looking for trouble.

2) If he wants a quiet life, he mustn’t look for trouble.

h.

1) This politician had to resign. He must have been implicated in some shady business.

2) This politician had to resign. He will have been implicated in some shady business.

i.

1) The police have much evidence, they can’t have failed to get to the bottom of the plot.

2) The authorities can’t have been unaware of the danger.

2. Make up sentences according to the given example. Use the appropriate modal verbs and infinitives. Translate the sentences into Russian.

E.g. It’s possible that Jane was right.

- Jane might have been right.

1. It’s possible that the president will give this famous reporter an exclusive interview.

2. Our best staff reporters are nowhere to be reached. – It’s possible that they are carrying out some high-profile assignment somewhere.

3. It’s possible that some of our reporters will be assigned to cover the events in the Middle East.

4. Perhaps the editor is thinking of giving Kate Adams the sack. She isn’t meticulous enough.

5. Is it possible that Kate will be accused of plagiarism if she lifts quotes again? – Yes, naturally.

6. The information you are going to include in this report is dubious. Perhaps it isn’t even true. It is possible that the editor won’t allow you to say such things on the air.

7. The latest report on the corrupt political elite was quite a revelation. Is it possible that they will do something in retaliation for it?

8. Where did your reporters get the figures on civilian casualties during the latest military conflict? – Perhaps there was a leak of information at the Department of Defence.

9. Why did the head of the company have to resign? – Nobody knows anything for sure, but it is quite possible that he has been implicated in some shady business.

10. Michael’s work will probably come under the scrutiny of the editorial board. Perhaps he will be accused of sloppy reporting. – That’s ridiculous. Michael is quite meticulous. It is impossible that he should have fabricated anything.

11. Maggie is going to the Middle East. – Oh, no! It’s impossible that she should have been assigned to carry out such a dangerous task.

12. Eric is going to make a program about the breakdown in the rule of law in Haiti. Is it possible that he has found out something about the corrupt political elite? – Yes, I’m sure he is privy to some confidential information.

13. Have you read Blair’s latest article? It’s impossible that all those things should have happened. I’m quite certain he has concocted some scenes.

14. If we publish this information the situation in the conflict area won’t look good. – Well, in all likelihood, our editors are looking for trouble.

15. The theft at the art museum has been investigated. Everybody is certain that the police have got to the bottom of it. It’s possible that they will soon arrest the prime suspect. – I doubt it. I’m absolutely confident that he has fled the country.

16. The situation in the country remains tense. Everybody is sure that the ruling party hasn’t reached any political accord with the opposition.

17. These two companies are going to have a serious conflict over new markets. – Yes, I’m quite confident they are going to trade accusations soon.

18. What is written in this article is plagiarism. I’ve seen practically the same material in the ‘Times’. Is it possible that the editor didn’t notice it?

19. It was clear from the start who the assassin was. It’s impossible that the police didn’t get to the bottom of the case.

20. There is no news about the conflict in today’s paper. Is it possible that our reporter didn’t get any information about it? – Well, I don’t believe that he didn’t carry out his assignment. I’m positive something went wrong.