podgornaya n v modal verbs english grammar practice

THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 5For Study The modal verb can is used both in the Indicative Mood and in the Subjunctive Mood.. When used in the Indicative Mood the modal verb can is followed b

Н В Подгорная

Практическая грамматика: МОДАЛЬНЫЕ ГЛАГОЛЫ

English Grammar Practice:

2015

Пособие предназначено для студентов второго курса лингвистических университетов и факультетов иностранных языков.

УДК 811.111'367(075.8) ББК 81.2Англ-923

© О ф орм ление О О О «Л ексис», 2012

ВВЕДЕНИЕ

Данное учебное пособие подготовлено в соответствии с программными требованиями по дис­циплине "Практическая грамматика английского языка" и предназначено для студентов второго курса лингвистических университетов и факультетов иностранных языков других учебных заве­дений, в которых английский язык изучается как основная специальность

В лингвистической науке, пожалуй, нет другой категории, о языковой природе и составе частных значений которой высказывалось бы столько противоречивых точек зрения, как о категории модальности Большинством авторов в ее состав включаются значения, самые разнородные

по своей сущности, функциональному назначению и принадлежности к уровням языковой структуры, так что при этом категория модальности лишается какой-либо определенности,

а толкование значений отдельных модальных глаголов приобретает многоплановость

Цель пособия - помочь студентам эффективно усвоить не только правила, основанные на функциональных особенностях различных модальных глаголов, но и сформировать устойчивые практические навыки их употребления

Пособие состоит из 10 разделов: The Modal Verb Can / Could; The Modal Verb May / Might; The Modal Verb Must; The Modal Verb Have to / Have Got to; The Modal Verb Need; The Modal Verb Be to; The Modal Verb Should / Ought to; The Modal Verb Shall; The Modal Verb Will / Would; The Modal Verb Dare.

Каждый раздел пособия включает вводную часть (For Study) - объяснение формы, значения и употребления одного из модальных глаголов и практическую часть, пред­ставляющую собой комплекс упражнений, которые делятся на первичные (PRACTICE ACTIVITIES) и вторичные (COMPARED ТО ), тем самым, обеспечивая повторение преды­дущего раздела

Упражнения разделов MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE предназначены, главным образом, для аудиторного повторения предыдущего блока материала или контролируемой ра­боты студентов

К пособию прилагаются таблицы, в которых систематизируются все значения опре­деленного модального глагола по его основным признакам, а также комментарий, который поможет студенту правильно выбрать его форму и определить значение.Языковой материал упражнений отобран из современных аутентичных источников, приведенных в списке использованной литературы Предлагаемая система упражнений направлена на развитие и закрепление грамматических знаний, умений и навыков студентов, а именно: дифференциацию значений модальных глаголов и овладение особенностями их употребления в различных речевых ситуациях, а также на соотнесение

их лексических эквивалентов в английском и русском языках Предпочтение отдавалось упражнениям с ситуативной направленностью, позволяющим студенту активно исполь­зовать изучаемые грамматические структуры в речи

Автор будет признателен всем, кто сочтет возможным высказать свои предложения по улучшению содержания и структуры данного пособия

4 English Grammar Practice

M O D A L V ER B S

Modal verbs, unlike other verbs, do not denote actions or states, but only show the attitude of the speaker towards the action expressed by the infinitive in combination with which they form

compound verbal modal predicates

Compound verbal modal predicate = modal verb + infinitive

Thus they may show that the action (or state, or process) is viewed by the speaker as possible, obligatory, doubtful, certain, advisable, etc Modal verbs occur with the infinitive

There are 12 modal verbs in English They are:

Ten of them (except for be to and have (got) to) lack some features characteristic of other verbs,

that is:

1 most modal verbs have only one form, they have no aspect, voice and mood with the exception

of can, may, will;

2 they do not take - s in the third person singular;

3 they have no non-finite forms: no infinitives and participles;

4 they are followed (except for ought to, have to) by a bare infinitive (the infinitive without the

marker to);

5 they need no auxiliary to build the interrogative and negative forms

Forms of the Infinitive

1 The action was not carried out:

- with the modal verbs: ought to should, might could.

2 The planned action was not carried out:

- with the modal verb: to be to.

(to) have done (to) have

-Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 5

For Study

The modal verb can is used both in the Indicative Mood and in the Subjunctive Mood It has two forms

in the Indicative Mood: can- Present Indefinite and could- Past Indefinite In the Subjunctive Mood this modal verb has the form could The Indicative Mood presupposes the speaker's attitude towards

the action as true to fact, as real In the Subjunctive Mood the modal meaning may be considered as

contrary to reality

When used in the Indicative Mood the modal verb can is followed by the non-perfect infinitive and

expresses time reference by itself

Compare: She can play the piano (present time reference) / Она умеет играть на пианино

She could play the piano (past time reference) / Она умела играть на пианино.

In the Indicative Mood the modal verb can performs two functions:

a) it expresses the attitude of the speaker towards the action or state, denoted by the infinitive, which follows it;

b) it expresses time reference

In the Subjunctive Mood the modal verb can expresses only the attitude of the speaker Time reference

is denoted by the form of the infinitive which follows it:

Compare: Could you open the door for me, please? (present time reference) /В ы бы не могли

открыть мне дверь?

We could go to a concert tonight (present or future time reference) /М ы бы могли

сходить на концерт сегодня вечером.

Не could have been fired (past time reference) / Возможно, его уволили.

Can has the following meanings:

1 Ability (physical, mental), capability.

Can is used to describe an ability (a lack of ability) or capability and occurs in all kinds of sentences It

is the Indicative Mood form which is followed by the non-perfect infinitive However, if it is necessary

to stress that the action refers to the future, will be able to is used.

1 Present time reference:

She can speak two foreign languages /Она говорит на двух иностранных языках

Can you write with your left hand?/ Вы можете писать левой рукой?

I can't promise you anything / Я ничего не могу вам обещать.

2 Past time reference:

Mozart could play the piano at the age of five / Моцарт умел играть на пианино

6 English Grammar Practice

3 Future time reference:

He will be able to write to us from Portugal / Он сможет написать нам

из Португалии.

I will be able to earn my own living soon / Скоро я смогу себе сам

зарабатывать на жизнь.

NOTE 1: To describe the successful completion of a specific action or to talk about a specific

achievement (particularly if it is difficult, requiring some effort or involves overcoming

some difficulty) was (were) able to, managed or succeeded (in ing) are used:

He has now recovered from his injury and is able to drive again.

Jenny was able to leave the hospital only six hours after the baby was born How many documents were you able to sign?

I managed to find a really nice dress in the sale.

Do you think she'll manage to get a visa?

After six months climbing, we succeeded in getting to the top of the mountain.

However, to describe general ability in the past or a specific action not successfully

completed, both could and was/were able are used:

She could / was able to read when she was four.

We couldn't / weren't able to get tickets for the match yesterday.

Can or could are commonly used when we are talking about specific occasions with verbs of sense perception (feel, hear, see, smell, taste) and verbs of mental activity

(believe, decide, remember, understand):

She could hear a noise coming from the dining-room.

I can't decide where to go for my holidays.

2 Possibility due to circumstances

In this meaning can is found in all kinds of sentences It is used in its Indicative Mood form and is

followed by the non-perfect infinitive.

Anybody can make a mistake / Любой человек может ошибаться.

I couldn't go to the theatre yesterday because I was busy / Я не мог пойти вчера

в театр, так как я был занят.

Can I buy this book at any book store?/ Эту книгу можно купить в любом магазине?

3 Permission

Can is used in its Indicative Mood form to give permission only in affirmative sentences or in reported

speech (in accordance with the rules of the sequence of tenses):

You can go now if you want to /В ы можете идти, если хотите.

Не said that I could use his car / Он сказал что я могу взять его машину.

Could in the Subjunctive Mood is not used to give permission as it suggests respect, so it is more

natural in asking for permission than in giving it

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 7

4 Request.

Can is used in its Indicative Mood form to ask for permission or to request people to do things

in interrogative sentences and reported questions (in accordance with the rules of the sequence of

tenses):

Can I have some more cake?/ Можно мне взять еще кусочек пирога?

Can you put the children to bed?/Ты бы не могла уложить детей спать?

Do you think I can go now? Можно мне уже идти?

Не asked те if he could use my car /О н спросил меня, может ли он взять мою

машину.

It is also possible to use could in the Subjunctive Mood combined with the non-perfect infinitive

to sound more polite, more formal or less definite:

Could I ask you something if you are not too busy? / Можно мне у тебя что-то

N0TE2: Very polite ways of asking permission and requesting:

Could you possibly do me a favour?

Do you think you could help me with a problem I've got?

I was wondering if you could lend me some money for a few days.

You couldn't possibly lend me 20 pounds, could you?

Could I possibly interrupt you?

Do you think I could speak to you f o r a few minutes?

I was wondering if I could ask you for a favour.

I couldn't possibly have another day to finish that work, could I?

Can't or couldn't can be used where the answer is expected to be 'no', or where permission has been

refused before:

Can't/Couldn't we stay just a little bit longer? Please?

5 Prohibition

In this meaning can is found only with the negative form of the modal verb can, as it may be understood

as the negation of permission (not to be allowed to ) It is used in its Indicative Mood form and

corresponds to the Russian нельзя; не надо:

You can't cross the street here / Здесь нельзя переходить улицу.

You can't touch the exhibits in a museum /Нельзя трогать экспонаты в музее

She said that we couldn't stay there /О на сказала, что нам здесь нельзя

оставаться.

8 English Grammar Practice

6 Unreality.

This meaning is found with the Subjunctive Mood form of can in clauses of unreal condition in which

the time reference is expressed by the infinitive:

It could be quite frightening if you were alone in our big old house / Вам было бы

страшно, если бы Вы остались одни в нашем большом старом доме.

You could have seen his face if it had not been so dark / Ты бы смогла увидеть

его лицо, если бы не было так темно.

7 Surprise, astonishment.

In this meaning can is found only in interrogative sentences (in general questions) Could in its

Subjunctive Mood form is also used in this way implying more uncertainty Besides, sentences of

this kind are often emotionally coloured and so their application is rather restricted In Russian both

variants, with can and could, are rendered in the same way: неужели; может ли быть, чтобы; возможно ли, чтобы.

Depending on the time reference, can /could in this meaning are used in combination with different

forms of the infinitive:

Can / Could he really be at work?/Неужели он все еще на работе?

Can /Could she be telling lies?/ Может ли быть, что она говорит неправду? Can/Could he have said it?/Неужели он это сказал?

Can /Could she have been waiting for us so long?/Может ли быть, что она нас так долго ждет ?

The Russian negative questions of the type — неужели он(а) не are expressed in English in different

b) by different lexical means:

Can / Could you have misunderstood what I said? (negative prefixes)/Неужели

In this meaning can is found only in negative sentences, which are often emotionally coloured Could

in its Subjunctive Mood form is also used in this way making the statement less categorical Depending

on the time reference, in this meaning can/could are also used with different forms of the infinitive In

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 9

Russian both variants, with can and could, are rendered in the same way: не может быть, чтобы; невероятно, чтобы.

They can't/couldn't be married (= I am sure they are not married) / He может

English in different ways:

9 Supposition implying uncertainty, doubt.

The use of could in affirmative sentences may also acquire the meaning of supposition implying

uncertainty, doubt It is the form of the Subjunctive Mood In Russian this meaning is generally

rendered by means of the modal words возможно and может быть In English it may also be rendered by means of the modal words maybe, perhaps, possibly, it's possible The time reference is

indicated by the form of the infinitive:

'Where is Sarah?' 'She could be at Joe's place' /Возможно, она гостит у Джо.

I don't know where she works She could do odd jobs /Может быть, она

10 English Grammar Practice

10 Criticism (reproach)

Only could in its Subjunctive Mood form can be used to criticise people for not doing things The time

reference is shown by the form of the infinitive:

You could ask me before you borrow ту car / Ты мог бы спрашивать моего

разрешения каждый раз, когда берешь мою машину (present time reference)

You could have told me you were getting married / Ты могла бы сказать мне,

что выходишь замуж (past time reference)

11 Emotional colouring.

Сап/could followed by different forms of the infinitive are found in special questions where they are

used to express puzzlement, impatience etc

What can/could he m ean?/И что, собственно, он имеет ввиду?

What can /could he be doing?/ И что это он может делать?

Where can/could he have gone to?/ И куда бы это он мог уйти?

How can /could you have been away for such a long time? / И как это ты могла

отсутствовать так долго все это время?

Note the following set phrases with can:

a) Cannot (can't) help doing smth — He могу не делать что-либо.

She's a selfish woman but somehow you can't help liking her / Она эгоистичная

женщина, но, так или иначе, ее нельзя не любить.

Excuse те - I couldn't help overhearing what you said /Извините, я не мог не

подслушать ваш разговор.

b) Cannot (can't) but do smth — Мне ничего другого не остается, как

I can't but wonder what I should do next /М не ничего другого не остается, как

гадать, что делать дальше.

They couldn't but refuse him /И м ничего другого не оставалось, как отказать

ему.

11PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD

Ex 1 Complete the following chart containing the sentences with the modal verb can/

could Identify its meaning and the synonymous expression as in the model Then

translate the sentences into Russian.

Modal Verb Can / Could Use (Meaning) Synonymous

Expression

1 1 speak three languages but can't spell in any of

them

Inability (lack of ability)

I am unable to spell

in any of them.

2 Drinks in restaurants can be very expensive.

3 Could you stop the car, please, for a moment?

4 What is not done today, can be done tomorrow.

5 You can't live other people's lives for them.

6 A policeman arrived and told him he couldn't park

there

7 You and I are in charge of a great business; we

cannot leave our great responsibilities to others.

8 Helen can read well, even though she's only three.

9 Can I help you with your luggage?

10 There was nothing he could do about it at the

moment

11 Jim says that we can borrow his house as long as

we leave it clean and tidy

12 No, you can't have another chocolate.

13 That's a question nobody can answer.

14 You can find everything necessary in this store.

Ex 2 Choose a suitable form of can, could, be able to or managed to (or negative forms) to

complete these sentences If two answers are possible write them both and underline

the more likely one (see Note 1)

Model: A good 1500-metre runner can run the race in under four minutes.

The fire spread quickly but every one was able to escape.

1 Peter has a computer that fit into his jacket pocket

2 Did you buy any fresh fish in the market? - No, I get any

12 English Grammar Practice

3 It took a long time, but in the end Tony save enough to buy his own hi-fi

4 When she screams, yo u hear her all over the house

5 Until y o u repay some of your present debt, we cannot lend you any moremoney

6 When I was younger, I speak Italian much better than I _ now

7 He _ draw or paint at all when he was a boy, but now he's a famous artist

8 After weeks of training, I swim a length of the baths underwater

9 I'm sorry, you're in my light I see what I'm doing

10 It was a huge hall and we were at the back, so we hear very well

11 He had hurt his leg, so h e walk very well

12 She wasn't at home when I phoned but I contact her at her office

13 I looked very carefully and I see a figure in the distance

14 The boy fell into the river but fortunately w e rescue him

15 She tried to think of other things but sh e put that awful memory out ofher mind

16 The manager of the shop was a bit reluctant but in the end I get a refund

17 It was really annoying; I _ get on to any of the websites you recommended

18 Although Stephanie is deaf and mute sh e communicate with the aid of aspecial computer

19 They finish the new motorway next month so we _ get to the coast muchmore quickly

20 Most of the big hotels were full, but we _ _ find a room in one of those smallguesthouses near the station

21 When I was younger I was hopeless at sports I throw or kick a ball properly

22 Would you speak more slowly? I follow what you are saying

Ex 3 Respond to the following statements using the prompts in the brackets and the modal

verb can/could to express possibility.

1 This hotel has a number of facilities, (play billiards in the evenings)

You can play billiards in the evenings.

2 It's not far from here ( get there in a few minutes)

3 He was always at home at 8 o'clock (visit him in the evenings after 8 o'clock)

4 Few people want to live in that place (buy a house very cheaply there)

5 That store used to have all sorts of things on sale (find everything necessary there)

6 He will gladly answer your questions (phone him at home any time)

7 They accept all kinds of payment (pay by credit card here)

8 That travel agency offered you a number of places to go (even visit Africa)

9 I choose this restaurant to have my birthday party (even taste a lobster here)

10 I recommend you this service station (have your car serviced cheaply here)

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 13

Ex 4 Ask permission in these situations Then answer according to the model Be careful

how you use the pronouns my, you, your and we in your answers (see Note 2)

You want

1 another drink

Can I have another drink?

Yes, you can have another drink.

Sorry but you can't have another drink as we are closing.

2 to leave your books with me (be particularly polite)

3 to call your brother from my phone

4 to talk to me about your job application (be particularly polite)

5 to park your car on my drive (I've already refused once)

6 to ask me exactly what my job is

7 to pick some of the apples off the tree in my garden (I've already refused once)

8 to come with me to my summer house (I've already refused once)

9 to have the last piece of my birthday cake (be particularly polite)

Ex 5 Ask permission in these situations, using polite and tentative ways (see Note 2) Then

answer according to the model.

1 Mr Wilson asks his boss if he can leave the office an hour earlier than usual

Could I possibly leave the office an hour earlier than usual?

Yes, you can leave the office an hour earlier as there isn't much work to do today

No, you can't leave the office earlier as I need your help.

2 Stephen asks his guitar teacher to lend him his guitar for the evening

3 Mr Wilson wants his neighbour to help him carry a cupboard upstairs

4 You ask someone to move his car, as it's blocking the entrance to your garage

5 Julie and two of her friends ask their teacher for permission to leave early

6 Mrs Wilson would like Julie to do some shopping for her, if she has time

7 You ask a stranger next to you in a train if you can look at his newspaper

8 You ask your host for permission to use his phone

9 You ask someone you hardly know for a lift into town

10 You are checking out of a hotel, and want to pay your bill

Ex 6 Make up sentences with the modal verb can to denote rules and regulations which

forbid things

1 park here (The sign forbids it) You can't park here.

2 buy drinks after closing time (The law forbids it)

3 come late to work (The regulations forbid it)

4 sit on the grass there (The regulations forbid it)

5 vote for more than one candidate (The law forbids it)

14 English Grammar Practice

6 turn right here (The sign forbids it)

7 smoke on the airplane (The regulations forbid it)

8 enter this door if you are not a member of the staff (The regulations forbid it)

Вы не могли бы привести свой пример? Нельзя давать примеры только из учебника

Ех 8 Read the following sentences, then identify the use (meaning) of the modal verb can/

could.

1 You could have told me about the sale of those shoes!

2 She could have paid by credit card but she preferred to use cash.

3 Where can/could that noise be coming from?

4 He always wears smart suits He could be a businessman.

5 She could learn much more quickly if she paid attention.

6 Lora can't have fixed the computer; it's still not working properly.

7 The rash could be a symptom of something more serious.

8 Can /could he have told nobody about his promotion?

9 The contract could have reached the office yesterday.

10 Who can/could have broken my camera?

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 15

Ex 9 Which of these things could you have done if you had lived a hundred years ago?

Which things couldn't you have done? Make up six sentences like this one.

Model: A hundred years ago I could have ridden a horse, but I couldn't have flown

learnt English played chess read Shakespeare watched television

She left her luggage unattended on a platform.

Someone could have stolen it if she hadn't picked it up in time.

She left the house and forgot to close the kitchen window

She left her purse in a shop

She left the house and forgot to turn off the iron

She drove the car after taking four sleeping pills

She left her umbrella in a restaurant

She wore high heeled shoes on the icy pavement

She ran outside without a coat on a very cold day

She jumped into a lake although she couldn't swim

She climbed up a high tree to rescue a cat

She parked her car in a no-parking zone

Ex 11 Rephrase the sections in bold using the modal verb can/could in the meaning of

surprise (astonishment) or incredulity (improbability).

Model: She looks so young I don't believe she's already thirty.

She can't/ couldn't be thirty yet.

1 It's still quite early It's hardly possible that it is ten o'clock.

2 She doesn't look at all like Liz Is it possible that she is her sister?

3 He's been very ill lately I doubt that he has already recovered.

4 This house has been on sale recently Do you believe that it has been sold out so soon?

5 If you live near Coventry, I don't believe you are very far from Birmingham.

6 He looks very pleased Is it possible that he is getting married?

7 She moved away from this place 2 years ago I refuse to believe that she disliked her

house

16 English Grammar Practice

8 My friend's house has been burgled recently Is it possible that nobody saw a burglar?

9 She comes home pretty late every evening Do you believe that she is working

He can't/couldn't have understood everything you said.

He can't/couldn't have misunderstood everything you said.

Can/could you have heard about her promotion?

They can't/couldn't be aware of his presence here.

Can/could the manager have given the instructions to his subordinate?

She can't/couldn't be experienced in dealing with children.

Can/could he have told them the truth?

She can't/couldn't have dominated the interview.

Can/could there be such a high rate of employment?

Can/could he have achieved a lot in his career?

The boss can't/couldn't have dismissed him for coming late.

Can/could he be capable of stealing a big sum of money?

She can't/couldn't have encouraged her children to go swimming.

Can/could you have applied for the job in this company?

Ex 13 Rephrase the sentences using the modal verb could in the meaning of supposition

implying uncertainty, doubt.

1 Do you know the person talking to Susan? - Perhaps, it is her manager.

2 I wonder where Andrew is It is possible that he is working in the garage.

3 Perhaps, you left your wallet on the bus I suppose.

4 Maybe, the flight has been delayed.

5 Possibly, he has been doing research on his own.

6 Perhaps, he is taking a shower now.

7 It is possible that the explosion has been caused by a gas leak.

8 Why did nobody answer the letter? - Maybe, you have forgotten to post it.

9 It is possible that they have been arguing for years.

10 Possibly, she goes to Mexico every summer, but am not sure.

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 17

Ex 14 Respond to the following sentences expressing criticism as shown in the model Use

the correct form of the infinitive.

Model: Tom got into an accident two days ago and you knew about it

You could have told me about the accident.

1 Liz did all the preparations for the party by herself and you didn't help her

2 Samantha goes out to her dancing class late in the evening and you don't accompany her

3 Adam drives very fast and you don't warn him

4 Lucy misses her classes at University regularly and you don't want to talk to her about it

5 John took his father's money without asking for permission and you didn't tell him anything when you discovered that

6 Bill broke his leg when climbing and you didn't even call him

7 Mary stayed away from home for two days and you didn't pay any attention to it

8 Bob broke your window when playing football and you didn't let his parents know about it

9 Ann failed her exams three times and you didn't talk to her teachers

10 Daniel receives anonymous phone calls every day and you are not doing anything about it

Ex 15 Respond to the following sentences expressing emotional colouring as shown in the

model Use the correct form of the infinitive.

Model: My sister isn't at home at such a late hour.

Where can / could she have gone to?

1 That woman is looking for something in the park

2 The baby has been crying for half an hour

3 My brother is at home but doesn't answer the phone

4 My friends went skiing without telling me about it

5 My dog has been barking all night

6 My neighbours packed their things and left their house unattended

7 My father came home dirty and tired last night

8 The cat is walking with a broken leg

9 The kids are not playing in the yard

10 The ambulance has just parked in front of our house

18 English Grammar Practice

Ex 16 Some of these sentences contain errors Find and correct them.

1 Why did you walk all the way from the station? You could phone for a lift.

2 I loved staying with my grandparents when I was a child They let me read all the books

in the house and told me I was able to go to bed as late as I wanted.

3 This carpet was priced at 500$, but I was able to get a discount because of this little

mark in the corner

4 I wasn't able to buy apricots, but I bought peaches instead.

5 As soon as she opened the door I was able to see from her face that something terrible

had happened

6 I've no idea where my brother is living now He could have been at the North Pole for

all I know

7 Could she take the bag full of money? By all means it's a good idea she told the police

about its loss

8 Why did I listen to you? I could go there by air instead of having this long journey by

train

9 Agnes left a couple of minutes ago and if you had come earlier you could have caught her.

10 How could you trusted this man who has already caused so much trouble to your family

by just his presence here?

Ex 17 Use the modal verb can in the correct form followed by the appropriate infinitive and

identify its meaning.

1 He (recite) long poems when he was six

2 You (not/take) the books out of the reading hall

3 If you had met him in the street you (pass) him without taking notice

4 He hated himself for his behaviour, but (do) nothing to alter it

5 I (come) in for a moment?

6 You (not/do it) I don't believe it

7 I wonder where she is She (not/stay) at her friend's all this time

8 I (help) him but I didn't know he needed help

9 Such problems (solve) easily

10 He (see) that everything in the house was in full order

11 How she (work) in the garden now? It is already dark

12 Of course, there were many things I (answer) to this But I kept silent

13 I simply (not/refuse) They would have been hurt

14 He wasn't old He (not/be) more than forty

15 you (work) all this time without any break?

16 She (not/forget) what had happened the day before It's hardly possible

17 The man was very impolite How you (talk) to him for so long?

18 I am not sure but h e (join) his friends and (go) to the countrywith them

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 19

19 I (not/bear) the heat here.

20 Now that the exams are over we (have) a good rest.

21 She is tall for her age already And she _ (grow) even taller.

22 Is there anything the matter with him? He looks so upset! H e (fail) the exam.

23 There (not/be) anything wrong with the tea I refuse to believe that.

24 What he (do) all this time? He has been gone for twenty minutes.

25 He (not/see) me I came when he had gone.

26 How you (make) such a mistake as to suppose that I was younger than you?

27 Surely you (do) it before What have you been doing all the morning?

28 Say what you like, but you (not/do) all this work by yourself I don't believe you.

29 he still (sleep)? It seems to me they simply don't want us to see him.

30 She has a university education and (make) a career for herself if she hadn't married.

31 You (not/forget) I don't believe you.

32 I would be very much obliged to you if you (lend) me your dictionary for a couple of days.

33 I don't believe him, he (not/drive) her to the airport, as his car had broken down the day before.

Ex 18 Rephrase each of the sentences in such a way that it is as similar in meaning as

possible to the sentence printed before it.

1 It's hardly likely that this is the place we are supposed to meet

This we are supposed to meet

2 You are not allowed to change your money here; you'll have to go to a bank

You your money here; you'll have to go to a bank

3 She was able to recognise the voices with a reasonable amount of accuracy

She the voices with a reasonable amount of accuracy

4 If she had shown her ID, she would have been able to get in

She ,if she had shown her ID

5 The guide was unable to give us an answer

The guide _ us an answer

6 It was possible to get flights much cheaper last year

You _ much cheaper last year

7 Will you be so kind as to give me the key to my room, please?

_ I have the key to my room, please?

8 Is it possible that the flight to Milan has been delayed?

the flight to Milan delayed?

20 English Grammar Practice

9 It can happen that they will make you pay if your luggage is overweight

They pay if your luggage is overweight

10 I wonder how she managed to learn so many foreign languages

How _ so many foreign languages?

11 It's unbelievable that he has been refused a visa to the USA

He a visa to the USA

12 I am so curious where she has taken the money to go on such an expensive cruise. _ she the money to go on such an expensive cruise?

Ex 19 Make up situations of your own using the following patterns:

Hе can't/couldn't be that foolish.

He can't/couldn't be moving into a new house.

He can't/couldn't have given up his job.

He can't/couldn't have been working abroad.

2 неужели он

Can/Could he be your brother?

Can/Could he be working so late?

Can/Could he have proposed to her?

Can/Could he have been looking for us?

3 и что (где, как, почему ) это он

What can/could he mean?

Where can/could he be working?

How can/could he have done it?

What can/could he have been doing there?

4 не могу не

I can't help thinking she has made such a mistake

I couldn't help seeing that she was unhappy.

I cannot but ask him for help.

I could not but put him up for the night.

Teaching Unit 1 THE MODAL VERB CAN/COULD 21

Ex 20 Translate the following sentences into English using can in all of its possible meanings.

1 Он сильный человек и сможет преодолеть все трудности

2 Она может говорить о театре часами Она очень любит театр

3 Она может петь прекрасно, но сегодня она не в состоянии, так как у нее болит горло

4 Доктор, вы можете прописать мне что-нибудь от головной боли?

5 Весь день была оттепель, но вечером подморозило, и мы могли пойти на каток

6 По дороге домой молодой человек не смог разглядеть города, в котором ему предстояло работать, так как уже наступили сумерки и к, тому же, лил сильный дождь

20 Льюис пристально смотрел на письмо «И откуда оно могло придти?»

21 Когда я увидел его, я не мог не засмеяться

22 Нам остается только надеяться, что он выполнит свое обещание

23 Ты мог бы и присмотреть за бабушкой в мое отсутствие Ты же знаешь, что она не может обходиться без помощи

22 English Grammar Practice

He told me that I might take his car.

b) in the Subjunctive Mood:

It might be true.

He might have fallen ill if he hadn't taken the pills.

May has the following meanings:

1 Permission

May is used in its Indicative Mood form to give permission in affirmative sentences where it is rather formal In an informal style can is more common In this meaning may is combined only with the

non-perfect infinitive.

The manager is in his office now So you may see him / Вы можете его увидеть

May I borrow your car?-Yes, of course, you may /Можно мне одолжить у тебя машину? — Конечно, можно.

2 Request.

May (Indicative Mood form) and Might (Subjunctive Mood form) in this meaning are found in

interrogative sentences They are more formal than can and could Might is very polite and formal;

it is not common, and is mostly used in indirect question structures In this meaning may/might is

combined only with the non-perfect infinitive.

May I turn the TV on? (I ask my father)./Можно мне включить телевизор?

I wonder if I might have a little more cheese? (More natural than Might I have ?)/ Можно мне немного сыра?

May I is used when the speaker is fairly confident that permission will be given I wonder / I was wondering if I might is used when the speaker is less confident or wants to sound particularly polite:

I was wondering if I might take a day off work / Могу ли я обратиться к Вам

с просьбой взять выходной?

Teaching Unit 2 THE MODAL VERB MAY/MIGHT 23

3 Prohibition.

May in its Indicative Mood form is used in negative sentences to forbid things In this meaning it is

combined only with the non-perfect infinitive.

Students may not use the staff car park / Студентам нельзя пользоваться

парковкой для персонала.

Не said I might not enter the room until he says so /О н сказал, что мне нельзя

входить в комнату, пока он не разрешит.

4 Possibility of the fact (factual possibility):

May (Indicative Mood form) in this meaning occurs only in affirmative sentences and is followed only

by the non-perfect infinitive.

You may order a taxi by telephone /М ож но заказать такси по телефону The form might is used in its Past Indefinite tense form in accordance with the rules of the sequence

of tenses

They said you might order a taxi by telephone / Они сказали, что такси можно

заказать по телефону.

May can be used to talk about typical occurrences - things that can happen in certain situations This

is common in scientific and academic language Might in its Past Indefinite tense form is only used in

this way to talk about the past

Children of divorced parents may have difficulty in forming stable relationships themselves./Дет и родителей в разводе могут иметь проблему

формирования устойчивых взаимоотношений.

In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep / В прежние времена

человека могли казнить за кражу овцы.

N O T E 1 : May is used to talk about the chances that something will happen or is happening

(=lt's possible that ) while can is used to talk about a more general or theoretical kind

of possibility (=It's possible to ).

Compare: The roads may be improved (It's possible that the roads will be improved) /

Возможно, дороги усовершенствуют.

The roads can be improved (It is possible for the roads to be improved)/Дороги

можно усовершенствовать.

24 English Grammar Practice

5 Unreality

Might in its Subjunctive Mood form can have a conditional meaning (= would perhaps) The time

reference is indicated by the form of the infinitive:

If you went to bed for an hour, you might feel better / .тебе бы стало лучше.

If she hadn't been so bad-tempered, I might have married her / я бы женился

She might have told me she was going to stay out all night / Она могла бы

сказать мне, что будет отсутствовать всю ночь (But she didn't tell me about her intention to stay out all night).

7 Supposition implying uncertainty, doubt:

In Russian this meaning is generally rendered by means of the modal words возможно and может быть.

In English this meaning may also be rendered by means of the modal words maybe, perhaps, possibly and it's possible.

In the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty, doubt the verb may occurs in affirmative and negative sentences.

She may phone us sometime today /М ож ет быть, она нам сегодня еще

She may be at the supermarket / Может быть, она в супермаркете.

Tim may come over today / Возможно, Тим сегодня к нам зайдет.

I never see him about now For all I know, he may be writing a book / Все, что я знаю, он, возможно, пишет книгу.

Polly is very late She may have missed her train /Возможно, она опоздала на поезд

Не may have been waiting for us for an hour / Возможно, он ждет нас уже целый час.

Teaching Unit 2 THE MODAL VERB MAY/MIGHT 25

In the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty, doubt the form might in its Subjunctive Mood form is also found It is mostly used as a less definite or more hesitant form of may, suggesting a

smaller chance:

He may go to London (perhaps a 50% chance)

Joe might come with me (perhaps a 30% chance)

She might be reading a magazine now.

He might have spoken to her yesterday (But I don't remember that he did.)

N O T E 2 : The difference between the meanings of the negative forms of can/could and may/

might:

a) He may/might not be at home (= It is possible that he isn't at home.)

He can't/couldn't be at home (= It is not possible that he is at home.)

b) He may/might not be working (= It is possible that he isn't working.)

He can't/couldn't be working (= It is impossible that he is working.)

Can/could followed by negation in these sentences denotes incredulity, improbability on the part

of the speaker, whereas may/might expresses supposition implying uncertainty, doubt.

Notice the following set phrases with may and might:

a) If I may say so — Если можно так сказать

If I may say so, I think you have treated him very badly / Если можно так

сказать, вы отнеслись к нему очень плохо, по-моему.

b) Strange as it may seem — Как бы странно ни казалось

Strange as it may seem, I always felt I belonged here /К а к бы странно ни казалось, я всегда чувствовал, что это мое место.

26 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

Ex 1 Go through the following sentences with the modal verb may/might and complete

the chart Identify the use of it, the synonymous expression as in the example and translate the sentences into Russian.

Expression (or Paraphrasing)

1 May I borrow your calculator for a moment? Asking for

permission

Am I allowed to

have a taxi called?

2 You are welcome to come with me; you may

notice things that I miss

3 I might have gone to university after leaving

school but I chose to get a job instead

4 The flowers may have five to six petals; colour

may range from light pink to dark red.

5 Visitors may not use the car park.

6 You may stay in this room till the end of the

business meeting

7 I might conceivably have been tempted to take

the job if it had been nearer home

8 She asked him if she might come the next day.

9 I think you might work harder!

10 You certainly may not watch TV till midnight, my

boy

11 I might have gone to drama school, but my

parents wouldn't let me

12 I wonder if I might have the pleasure of your

15 You might have answered the telephone call It

was an important one

Ex 2 Find the right question and ask for what you want Use different forms of may to be

particularly polite.

I was wondering if I might

Do you think I might

The speaker is less confident or else being very polite.

1 You're in your English class, and you've found a word you don't understand You want to look it up in a dictionary

May I borrow your dictionary please?

2 You're at a friend's house, and you want to phone your parents to tell them where you are

3 Someone is explaining something to you, but you don't understand very well, and you want to ask something

4 You're in your classroom with an open window, and you're rather cold

5 You have to go to the hospital at twelve o'clock, so you want to ask your boss forpermission to leave early

6 You've just arrived at a friend's house You had to change a tyre on your car, and your hands are very dirty

7 You would like to watch the news on TV, so you want to ask for permission to turn on the

TV set

8 You want to write a letter, so you need some writing paper and an envelope

9 It's rather stuffy in your room and you'd like to open the window

10 You have just arrived at a friend's house You have been driving your car the whole dayand would like to take a shower

Ex 3 Use the examples to help you change the sentences Then rephrase them so as to use

may with the same idea.

Model: The notice says you are allowed to fish there without a permit.

(The notice says) you can fish there without a permit.

(Your local council says) you may fish there without a permit.

1 The notice says people are allowed to bathe here

2 You are allowed to play the game with four to six players, according to the book of rules

3 There is a sign saying that people are permitted to sit on the grass here

4 The rules say that either team is permitted to ask for one minute's break

5 It is permitted for people to help themselves to the food

28 English Grammar Practice

Ex 4 Rephrase these notices to express permission or prohibition according to the model Model: Thank you for not smoking.

You may not (cannot, are not allowed, are not permitted to) smoke.

1 No camping or picnicking

2 Fishing strictly forbidden

3 Campers welcome

4 Private - Keep out

5 Do not lean out of the window

6 Leave your litter here

7 No stopping

Ex 5 Here is some advice that the travel agent gave Mr Wilson to show him the factual

possibility before he went to a foreign country Complete it with may and phrases

from the list.

Be a lot of traffic See brilliant pieces of art

Get into the rush hour Experience really nasty weather

1 You'd better leave for the airport early - yo u

2 Don't drink water from the taps - yo u _

3 You'd better take out medical insurance - you _ otherwise

4 Take your passport everywhere with you - the police

5 Some restaurants are really worth going to - yo u you've ever had

6 Mind how you cross the road when you're there - there _

7 Take some warm clothes and an umbrella with you - you there

8 There are some really good museums there - yo u _there

Ex 6 Rephrase the following sentences so as to express unreality with might:

A with the present /future time reference:

Model 1 (Present and Future): Perhaps he would help you, (if you asked him).

He might help you, if you asked him.

1 Perhaps she would be angry, (if you told her about it)

2 Maybe it would break, (if you dropped it)

3 Perhaps I would pay the man, (if he asked me)

4 Possibly the baby would cry, (if the mother smacked him)

5 It's possible things would change, (if the Government helped us)

6 Perhaps you would cut yourself, (if you played with that knife)

B with the past time reference

Model 2 (Past): Perhaps he would have done it, (if I hadn't stopped him).

He m ight have done it (But he didn't)

1 Perhaps your wife would have told you everything, (if you had asked her)

2 Maybe the thieves would have stolen it, (if the Police hadn't arrived in time)

3 Perhaps that boy would have married her, (if she hadn't left the country)

4 It's possible my grandmother would have hurt herself, (if she had fallen)

5 Perhaps the war would have ended, (if they had won that battle)

Tea c h in g Unit 2 THE M ODAL VERB MAY/MIGHT _

Ex 7 Rephrase the following sentences so as to express criticism using m ight and the

correct form of the infinitive.

1 You don't behave politely enough You m ight behave m ore politely!

2 The clerk isn't tidy enough

3 I wanted you to write more often but you didn't

4 I told your friend to leave me in peace but he didn't

5 You don't work quickly enough

6 Your report is not detailed enough

7 You had an exam but you didn't even go to it!

8 You saw that the old man needed help but you didn't help him

9 I expected my sister to call me as soon as she came back but she forgot

10 I wanted my friends to pay me a visit but they never came

Ex 8 Translate the following sentences into English using the modal verb m ay / might.

30 English Grammar Practice

I'm not sure if I'm available; I may/might be working that weekend.

She might have answered the phone if you hadn't been rude to her the previous night The shops may not/might not be open today; it's a bank holiday.

She may/might have done it; she had the opportunity and the motive.

I wonder if I might ask your advice.

You might have waited for me at the station! I wouldn't be so angry now.

The dentist may/might be free to see you immediately after lunch; I'll have to check the

diary

Hurry up! You may get into the rush hour.

You may not go to the beach alone The sea is rough today.

They may/might have been working abroad all this time, I guess.

You might help me with the preparations! I don't want to do everything alone You might have got us into trouble if you had mentioned his name.

Ex 10 Rephrase the following sentences so as to express supposition implying uncertainty,

doubt using may/might and the correct form of the infinitive.

A Present and Future time reference.

9 Perhaps that woman is telling a lie

10 Possibly your neighbours are building a larger house

11 Maybe my brother will tell you the details

12 Possibly she is meeting her brother for lunch

B Past time reference.

3 Possibly the man you were looking for had bought his ticket earlier

5 Possibly your aunt had written the letter before that

Teaching Unit 2 THE MODAL VERB MAY/MIGHT 31

8 It is possible that your friend has already left his job

9 Perhaps our neighbours have been gardening

10 Possibly it has been snowing

Ex 11 Della has invited some people to dinner at her home As she waits for them to arrive

she feels rather excited and anxious.

Read what she thinks below Then complete the sentences, using the words in the

brackets together with may/might and the correct form of the infinitive.

1 Linda should be here by now But she may/might have got stuck (get stuck) in a traffic

jam

2 I forgot how careful Aunt Sally is about what she eats She (not eat) spicy food.

3 I wonder what time Carol will arrive She said she (be late).

4 Daniel should be coming, but I haven't heard anything from him H e

(not receive) my invitation.

5 I wrote a letter to Frank, but perhaps he didn't get it One of his friends thought he _

(move) to a new house.

6 Betty said she'd be early, but she isn't here yet She (lose) the directions I

gave her

7 I left a message for Diana I wonder why she didn't phone back? S h e

(not want) to speak to me after our quarrel last year.

8 It's quite possible Denis will be late H e (not be able) to get away from the

office in time

9 I'd better go and check the soup It (boil over) by now.

10 Perhaps Guy won't be able to go back to London tonight H e (spend) the

night at a hotel

Ex 12 Answer the following questions, using may/ might and the words in brackets Pay

attention to the form of the infinitive.

1 Why is John wearing sunglasses? It's not sunny

(have some problems with his eyes) He mav/miaht have some problems with his eves.

2 Why didn't Jane come to the party last night?

(have a row with her boyfriend) She may/m ight have had a row with her boyfriend.

3 Why is Alan in such a bad mood today?

(sleep badly last night)

4 Why is Shelley looking under the desk?

(drop something) _

5 Where can I have put my bag?

(be under the bed)

6 Why hasn't anybody said 'Happy Birthday' to me?

(plan a surprise)

32 English Grammar Practice

7 W hy does Henry look so miserable?

(hear som e bad n e w s)

8 W hy isn't Sophie in the office today?

Не may/might come soon

He may/might have forgotten about it

He may/might have been enjoying him self in the football club

2 может быть (возможно), он не

Не may/might not be in now

He may/might not have recovered from his illness yet

13 М ожет быть, она не хотела Вас расстраивать и поэтому не рассказала всю правду

14 Вы могли бы предупредить меня, что этот фильм не стоит смотреть Я бы осталась дома и почитала интересную книгу

Teaching Unit 2 THE MODAL VERB MAY/MIGHT

CAN AND MAY COMPARED

Ex 15 Underline the word or words that are possible in each sentence.

1 'Do you know where Mark left the car keys?' 'He might/can have left them on the table.'

2 If Jerry hadn't grabbed my arm, I can/might have fallen off the bridge.

3 They might/could have chosen anyone for the job, but they picked me.

4 I could/may have stayed overnight with Don and Mary, but I thought I should get home

as soon as possible

5 In factories in the 19th century, a worker could/may be dismissed for being ill.

6 You can/might have cleaned the house by the time we came home.

7 He couldn't/might have sold his house as he was having a party in it the other day.

8 it can/could be possible one day to detect disease simply by looking at people's eyes.

Ex 16 Study the examples carefully, and then use them to help you change the sentences

Pay attention to the difference between the meanings of the negative forms of can/ could and may/might.

Model 1: It is possible that he doesn't like cheese

He may/might not like cheese.

Model 2: It is not (even) possible that he likes cheese.

He can't/couldn't possibly like cheese.

1 It is just possible that the secretary does not come by bus

2 It is not (even) possible that he likes his sister

3 It is just conceivable that those people do not go on holiday

4 It is not (even) conceivable that the girl has a boy-friend

5 It is possible that your friends do not know him

6 It is not thinkable that she hates her job

7 It is just possible to believe that the old man doesn't walk very far

8 It is not conceivable that he is seventy-five

Ex 17 Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar as possible in

the meaning to the sentence printed before it You must use a suitable form of can, could, may or might in each sentence.

Model: It is hardly possible that my sister's wedding took place when I was in Italy.

Mv sister's wedding can't/couldn't have taken place when I was in Italy.

1 I'm very angry with you - you knew I was having problems with the car and you didn't bother to help me!

You

2 Twenty years ago my neighbour offered me his apartment for $30,000 but I didn't buy it.Twenty years ago I

34 English Grammar Practice

3 It would be possible for us to issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card number

We

4 The service in British restaurants is sometimes quite surly

The service

5 Is it possible that the disparity in the figures is due to a computer error?

6 Don't worry, they'll possibly be on the next train

They _

7 I'm certain he isn't responsible for the error; he looks too experienced

He _

8 Perhaps the shuttle bus isn't working at the moment - it is the low season

The shuttle bus _

9 It's so annoying You knew their phone number but you didn't give it to me!

1 I think I saw her go out, so she mightn't be at home

2 It mightn't be true There is definitely some mistake

3 It's snowing heavily in Scotland so it can take Hugh a long time to get there

Teaching Unit 2 THE MODAL VERB MAY/M IGHT 35

4 If we don't get to the market soon they can't have any flowers left They will all have been sold

5 You can't be bringing drinks into the auditorium during the performance

6 May you be given the job permanently?

7 I thought they were on the holiday - but I can be wrong, of course

8 From afar this building can have been taken for a lighthouse It was so impressive

9 Children may enter only when accompanied by an adult

10 'I've had this birthday card, but it doesn't say who sent it.' 'May it be from Ron?'

Ex 19 Complete the following article by writing a suitable form of can, could, may, might,

be able to, manage to or succeed in and a form of the verbs in brackets The exercise

begins with an example (0).

A LUCKY ESCAPE

It was the worst experience of my life which I (0) can remember as if it were yesterday I was staying

a beautiful hotel on the coast My room was on the second floor It was about two o'clock on myfirst night when I suddenly woke up There was a very strong smell of burning but I (1) _ (not to

say) where it was coming from I jumped out of bed, ran to the door and opened it I (2 ) _(to

■ee) smoke coming from the staircase I suppose I (3 ) _(to try) to run down the stairs, but I knew

wouldn't have made it It was impossible, the smoke was too dense, I (4) (not to get) further

than the first landing before choking

went back into my room, slammed the door behind me and ran to the window I had to escape I (5) (to jump) out of the window but I felt too scared It was too high, I needed something to climbdown Suddenly I had a brainwave and ran over to the bed By tying the bedsheets together I (6) _

to make) a kind of ladder I tied one end of the sheets to the foot of the bed and I threw the otherend out of the opened window Despite my fear of heights I (7 ) _(to climb) out onto the windowedge A small group of people had gathered on the ground and were shouting encouragement to me.Come on,' they said, 'you (8 ) _ (to do) it!' I was shaking with fear, but by refusing to look down

and concentrating on the rope in my hands I eventually (9 ) _ lowering myself from the ledge.

Very slowly, putting one hand below the other, I (10) _ (to climb) down the bedsheet rope tosafety It was a lucky escape, I should say

Think of an accident that once happened to you or to som eone you know If you can't think of a true story, invent one Use can, could, may, might, be able

to, manage to or succeed in.

36 English Grammar Practice

For Study

The modal verb must has only one form The expressions to have to and to be obliged to with the same meaning can be used to supply the missing tense forms of the verb must In reported speech the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed with must.

Must has the following meanings:

1 Obligation with no freedom of choice or from the speaker's point of view

In different contexts must may acquire additional shades of meaning, such as duty or necessity In this sense the verb must corresponds to the Russian надо, нужно, необходимо, должен.

This meaning occurs in affirmative and interrogative sentences in which must is followed only by the

non-perfect infinitive:

A man must stand up for his rights / Человек должен отстаивать свои права.

I really must stop smoking /М не необходимо бросить курить.

Must he do it himself?/О н должен это делать сам?

Не said he must talk to his daughter about her future /О н сказал, что ему нужно

поговорить с дочерью о ее будущем.

2 Strict prohibition

Such sentences are sometimes negative commands, corresponding to the Russian sentences with

нельзя, не разрешается This meaning occurs in negative contexts, in which the non-perfect

N0TE1: Absence of necessity (in Russian не нужно, нет необходимости) is expressed by

other verbs (See: to have to and need).

— Must I go now? - No, you needn't, if you don't want to.

3 Emphatic advice, request or invitation

This use of must renders emphasis to the sentence, in which the verb must is stressed.

You must come and see us sometime /Вы обязательно должны навестить нас

как-нибудь.

You must stop worrying about your son /В ы должны перестать беспокоиться о

своем сыне.

You mustn't give another thought to what he said / Вы не должны придавать

значения тому, что он сказал.

You mustn't miss the film It is very good / Вы не должны пропустить этот фильм.

This meaning is found in affirmative and negative sentences with the non-perfect infinitive and is closelу connected with the two above mentioned meanings

4 Supposition implying strong probability, assurance.

It has the same meaning as the modal words probably, surely, obviously, evidently, no doubt, undoubtedly, in all probability In this sense must occurs only in affirmativesentences and corresponds

to the Russian modal words вероятно, очевидно, наверное, должно быть, по всей вероятности, без сомнения, по-видимому The opposite of must in this meaning is can't/couldn't.

Compare: They must like this place They come here every summer (Probably, they like this place.)

Must expressing supposition is not used:

a) with reference to the future Instead of must the modal words probably, surely, obviously, evidently,

no doubt, undoubtedly, in all probability and the expressions to be (un)likely, to be sure are used:

Probably, he will come tomorrow /Очевидно, он придет завтра.

Evidently, she will know all about it./Должно быть, она все узнает.

They are likely to come next week./Вероятно, они приедут на следующей неделе

We are unlikely to have a day off /Вряд ли (маловероятно, что) у нас будет

выходной.

b) in negative forms There are several ways of expressing the negative meaning of supposition

in such sentences: with the help of negative prefixes, negative words or pronouns and lexically:

38 English Grammar Practice

He must have misunderstood you /Наверное, он тебя не понял.

They must have been inattentive /Долж но быть, они были невнимательны The letter must have never reached them / Очевидно, они не получили письмо

No one must have told him about it /Вероятно, ему никто ничего не сказал

Не must have had no chance to warn you / Очевидно, у него не было шанса

предупредить тебя.

Evidently, she didn't know my address / Наверное, она не знала мой адрес.

N 0TE2: Both may and must serve to express supposition but their use is not parallel May

denotes supposition implying uncertainty, doubt whereas the supposition expressed

by must implies strong probability, assurance.

a) For all I know, he may/might be an actor His face seems so familiar.

He must be an actor His voice carries so well.

b) I saw him an hour ago He may/might still be in his office now.

He always comes at 10 sharp So he must be in his office now.

Note the following set phrases with must:

a) I must be g o in g /I must be off — Мне пора уходить.

b) I must tell you th a t / I must say — Я должен (должна) сказат ь

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

Teaching Unit 3 THE MODAL VERB MUST _ 39

Ex 1 A Read the following sentences containing the modal verb must and fill in the chart

Identify the use of it and the synonymous expression as in the example

(Meaning)

Synonymous Expression

1 You must leave the matter alone, if you don't want to be

arrested

Emphatic advice

I recommend you to leave the matter alone.

2 Let me order refreshment for you, Alex You must be cold and

hungry after your travels

3 If we want to get a good table at Willis's we really must go and

dress

4 You must be holding something back Don't be afraid of hurting

my feelings

5 You must tell me all about yourself if you want my assistance.

6 I am afraid I must go now The taxi must have come by this

time

7 Writing is a whole time job To write must be the main object

of the author's life

3 I have written a line to your dear mother, Henry, to tell her your

good news, and to say she really must come to dinner.

9 After the quarrel with John he must have gone upstairs to talk

to his wife

10 The information they gave us must have been incorrect.

11 Once a professional, one always must be a professional.

12 Passengers mustn't smoke in the non-smoking area of an

aircraft

13 I must have been sleeping for a long time as when I woke the

mist was gone

14 If you want to get any benefit from an experience you must

have an open mind.

15 You've said so much now that I must insist on your saying

everything