13. Модальные глаголы

(Modal Verbs)

К модальным глаголам относятся: can, may, must, should, ought to, need.

Особенности модальных глаголов

1. Модальные глаголы не употребляются самостоятельно, а только в сочетании с инфинитивом без частицы “to” смыслового глагола.

• I can swim.

2. В 3 л. ед. ч. настоящего времени модальные глаголы не имеют окончания -s.

• He may take it.

3. Вопросительные формы образуются без вспомогательных глаголов.

Общий вопрос:

• Can you do it?

• May I help you?

• Must he go there?

• Should we help them?

• Ought he to help him?

• Need he do it?

Разделительный вопрос:

• He can do it, can’t he?

• They may enter this room, mayn’t they?

• He must go there, mustn’t he?

• She should help them, shouldn’t she?

• He ought to help him, oughtn’t he?

• He needn’t do it, need he?

Специальный вопрос:

1) вопросительное слово;

2) модальный глагол;

3) подлежащее;

4) инфинитив.

• What must he do?

• Where may they go?

4. Отрицательная форма образуется при помощи частицы “not”, которая ставится непосредственно после модального глагола.

• He can’t translate this text.

• They mustn’t go there now.

5. Модальные глаголы являются недостаточными, так как они не имеют всех форм, которые имеют другие глаголы. Для недостающих форм используются эквиваленты модальных глаголов.

Модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты

Модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты	Настоящее (Present)	Прошедшее (Past)	Будущее (Future)
can to be able to	can am able to is able to are able to	could was able to were able to	-- will be able to
may to be allowed to	may am allowed to is allowed to are allowed to	-- (might) was allowed to were allowed to	-- will be allowed to
must to have to to be to	must have to has to am to is to are to	-- had to was to were to	-- will have to --

Модальные глаголы need, should, ought to имеют только одну форму и не имеют эквивалентов.

“Have to” – единственный модальный глагол, требующий вспомогательных глаголов для образования вопросительных и отрицательных форм. В настоящем времени – “do”, “does”, в прошедшем времени “did”.

a) My brother has to get up early every day.

• He doesn’t have to get up early every day.

• Does he have to get up early every day?

• My brother has to get up early every day, doesn’t he?

• When does my brother have to get up?

2. My brother had to get up early yesterday.

• He didn’t have to get up early yesterday.

• Did he have to get up early yesterday?

• My brother had to get up early yesterday, didn’t he?

• When did my brother have to get up?

Значение модальных глаголов и их эквивалентов

Модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты	Значение	Пример
can to be able to	Мочь, уметь (физическая, умственная возможность, возможность, вызванная обстоятельствами)	He can solve the most difficult problems. Can you lift this box? They can get there by bus
may to be allowed to	Мочь (выражает разрешение), возможно (выражает предположение), позволить, разрешить	You may enter this room. He may know her address
must to have to to be to	Должен, приходится, вынужден (в связи с обстоятельствами), должен (в связи с планом, расписанием, договоренностью)	You must do it. He has to get up early. I had to go there. We’ll have to invite them The train is to arrive at 10. We were to meet at the theatre
should ought to	Следует	We should help our parents. He ought to help them
need	нужно (употребляется в вопросительных и отрицательных предложениях)	Need he come here? You needn’t come so early

Примечание. “Could” может использоваться для того, чтобы выразить вежливую просьбу.

• Could you tell me the way to the station?

Exercises

Ex. 1. Translate the sentences into Russian, find the modal verbs and their equivalents.

1. I can’t find my pen anywhere. 2. Can you drive a car? 3. I couldn’t finish my work yesterday, but I hope I’ll be able to do it tomorrow. 4. May I use you telephone? 5. Were you allowed to do it? 6. You must tell her this news. 7. We have to stay at home. 8. Do you have to do your homework every day? 9. He had to leave for Moscow earlier. 10. Did they have to play with this team? 11. I’ll have to go to Italy. 12. We are to sign the contract. 13. The train was to arrive 10 minutes ago. 14. We won’t be able to give you this room.

Ex. 2. Put the sentences into the negative form, ask general, disjunctive and special questions.

1. His sister can cook very well. (who) 2. He was able to translate this text without a dictionary. (what) 3. She will be able to do this work in two days. (when) 4. The children may play here. (where) 5. They were allowed to take part in the competition. (where) 6. The students must work hard at their English. (who) 7. Kate had to stay at home yesterday. (when) 8. She has to clean the house every day. (what) 9. They will have to meet their relatives tomorrow. (whom) 10. They were to start on Monday. (when) 11. He is to come here at 4 o’clock. (who)

Ex. 3. A. Answer these questions about personal qualities.

Can you …

always tell people what you really think? relax with people you don’t know? usually get what you want? keep calm in stressful situations? keep your temper under control? laugh at yourself? ignore criticism easily? express your feelings easily?

B. Work in pairs. Tell each other what you can or can’t do. Are you similar or different? Expand your answers.

I can’t always tell people what I think. Can you? No, I can’t … .

Ex. 4. Tell what you could (or couldn’t) do when you were a small child.

To read well, to count well, to write, to swim, to run very quickly, to play the piano, to help mother about the house, to wash the dishes, … .

Ex. 5. Tell what you will (or won’t) be able to do in 15 years.

To buy an expensive car, to go on a cruise, to solve any problem, to help everyone, to run your own business, … .

Ex. 6. Tell what you were (not) allowed to do in your childhood.

To play computer games a lot, to watch TV late at night, to have a pet, to walk as much as you wish, to eat a lot of ice-cream, to invite a lot of friends, to have your own way, to express your opinion, to visit friends, … .

Ex. 7. Tell what your own children will (won’t) be allowed to do. Use your own ideas or the ideas from the previous exercise.

Ex. 8. Tell what you had to do to enter the university.

To study hard, to read a lot, to read additional literature, to attend preliminary courses, to prepare for all lessons, … .

Ex. 9. Tell what you will have to do to pass your session at the university successfully.

To attend all classes, to prepare for the classes, to go to the library, to do your homework, to write reports, to be attentive at the classes, to read additional literature, … .

Ex. 10. Give advice to your friend using “should”.

Example: He (she) has some problems with his (her) health. – He (she) should consult the doctor.

1. He (she) is a little pale. 2. He (she) may miss the train. 3. He (she) has a headache. 4. He (she) makes a lot of spelling mistakes. 5. He (she) wants to enter the university. 6. He (she) wants to find a well-paid job. 7. He (she) wants to earn a lot of money. 8. He (she) wants to go on a holiday, but don’t know where to go.

Ex. 11. Fill in the blanks “can / could” or “may” (or the negative forms).

1. … we leave the room? Is the lesson over? 2. … you stand on your head? – I … when I was at school but I … now. 3. … I smoke here? 4. … you type? – Yes, I … . 5. … I come in? – Please, do. 6. He … answer the teacher’s questions yesterday, but he … answer the same questions today. 7. When I first went to Spain I … read Spanish but I … speak it. 8. There was a lot of noise in the street last night, and I … sleep. 9. … I take your umbrella? 10. It’s very cold. … I shut the windows?

Ex. 12. Fill in the blanks with can, may, must, need.

1. I ... not go out today: it is too cold. 2. ... I take your pen? — Yes, please. 3. We ... not carry the bookcase upstairs: it is too heavy. 4. We ... not carry the bookcase upstairs ourselves: the workers will come and do it. 5. When ... you come to see us? — I ... come only on Sunday. 6. Shall I write a letter to him? — No, you ... not, it is not neces­sary. 7. ... you cut something without a knife? 8. Peter ... return the book to the library. We all want to read it. 9. Why ... not you understand it? It is so easy. 10. … we do the exercise at once? – Yes, you … do it at once. 11. … you pronounce this sound? 12. You … not have bought this meat: we have everything for dinner.

Ex. 13. Correct the sentences.

1. Fred doesn’t go to school so he has not to get up so early.

2. Horses can sleeping standing.

3. You needn’t to wait for me.

4. They won’t can to drive a car until they are eighteen.

5. You can to buy only second-hand books in that shop.

6. The bus came on time so we hadn’t to wait long at the bus stop.

7. You shouldn’t to try to crack nuts with your teeth.

8. You will may to phone them next week.

9. She had send a telegram because it was too late to send a letter.

10. You are learn all the new words for the next lesson.

Ex. 14. Translate into English.

1. Тебе следует быть более пунктуальным. 2. Мне придется взять такси. 3. Мне не пришлось делать этот перевод. 4. Я умел водить машину, когда мне было 15 лет. 5. Мне позволят навестить его в больнице в понедельник. 6. Я должна была передать ему часы его отца, но он не пришел. 7. Ей пришлось отправить телеграмму, не так ли? 8. Моя сестра не умеет кататься на коньках. 9. Ты сможешь сделать эту работу завтра? 10. Мы сможем поехать на юг в следующем году. 11. Вчера я не смог встретиться со своими друзьями. 12. Я думаю, мне разрешат поехать с тобой за город. 13. Ему не разрешили навестить ее. 14. Нам пришлось остаться дома. 15. Мне не придется писать сочинение. 16. Ей приходится ходить на работу пешком. 17. Поезд должен прибыть в 9.00. 18. Тебе не нужно идти в университет сегодня. 19. Ему следует поговорить с ними об этом. 20. Тебе не нужно беспокоиться об этом.

Ex. 15. Revision. Choose the right variant.

1. You will ... speak Spanish in another few months.

A can В have С be able to D ought

2. I … skate when I was 7 years old.

A can В am able to С may D could

3. … I wait here?

A May В Have to C Am to D must

4. To my mind, the government ... take care of old people. A ought В need to С must D may

5. I ... get up early on Mondays.

A am able В have to С must D may

6. It was so dark, we … see nothing.

A may B can C could D had to

7. As you... remember, I was always interested in scientific experiments.

A may В have to С must D ought to

8. Little children like books with large print. They ... read them more easily.

A should В must С can D have to

9. ... I speak to Jane, please?

A could В shall С must D ought

10. My dentist says I ... eat so many sweets.

A needn't В mustn't С ought not D shouldn't

11. Why hasn't Mr. Grill got in touch with us? – I don't quite know. It ... be that he has lost our phone number.

A may В ought to С must D should

12. It’s very late. You … phone them now.

A shouldn’t B haven’t to C can’t D aren’t able to

13. You … smoke here. It’s forbidden.

A. don’t have to B. needn’t C. mustn’t D. oughtn’t

14. It was decided that Peter would go there alone. His wife and children … join him a week later.

A. had to B. must C. ought D. were to

15. You … be more careful next time. That’s my advice.

A. can B. may C. ought to D. need

16. There is no one today to help you; so you … do the job by yourself.

A. will be able B. must to C. ought D. will have to

17. Why are you so late? – I … change the tyre.

A. must B. could C. had to D. was to

18. You … to visit your parents.

A should B ought C must D may

19. The train isn’t late. It … come on time.

A should B ought C is to D may

20. You … work hard at your English if you want to know it.

A must B may C ought D can

21. Somebody will … to meet her.

A ought B have C need D must

22. I … to help you tomorrow.

A can’t B couldn’t C won’t be able D needn’t

23. The sky is dark. It … rain soon.

A may B should C has to D is to

24. The weather … change tomorrow.

A may B must C should D is to