In English there is a group of verbs that do not denote an action, but only express an attitude towards it. These are modal verbs.
Features of modal verbs are easy to remember:
- They have only one form.
- The semantic verb is placed without the particle to.
- They are also called “insufficient” due to the absence of a number of forms.
- They do not have an infinitive or participle form.
The most common verbs are: MAY (MIGHT), CAN (COULD) , MUST.
Let's look at the verbs MAY (MIGHT), CAN (COULD) and use examples to see all the features of modal verbs. If you find it difficult to choose the correct verb CAN or MAY, remember just one little hint:
- CAN (I CAN do it “physically”, I can write, say, do, look, etc.
- MAY (this is a request, opportunity, permission).
She can do it. She can do it. ( Action)
You may take the book. You can take the book. ( Permission).
CAN
We use the verb can when we talk about the opportunity to do something, or someone can do something (opportunity, skill):
- We can see the lake from our window. We can see the lake from our window.
- I can come in time. I can be on time.
- I can write. I can write.
A sentence with the Perfect Infinitive in an affirmative sentence is translated by the word “possibly.” In this case, the semantic verb is translated by a past tense verb:
She can have done it. She may have done it.
In interrogative and negative sentences, can in combination with Infinitive or Perfect Infinitive is translated by the words really, cannot be:
- Can she do it? Is she really doing this?
- Can she done it? Did she really do this?
4. Negative sentences use the form can’t (cannot). I’m afraid I can’t come to the party on Friday. I'm afraid I won't be able to come to Friday evening.
COULD
Could is the past form of the verb can. Especially could is used with the following verbs: see, hear, smell, taste, feel, remember, undersrand. She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said.
She spoke in a very quiet voice, but I was able to understand what she said.
We use could to talk about something that is possibly happening now or will happen in the future. The phone is ringing. It could be Tim. The phone rings. It might be Tim calling.
I don’t know when they’ll be here. They could arrive at any time. I don't know when they will be here. They can come at any time.
Sometimes could means “would be able to...” (... able to...). We could go away if we had enough money. - We could go away if we had enough money. OR We would be able to go away... - We are able to leave...
The missing forms of past and future tense are replaced by the equivalent:
- to be able to (to be able to).
- She will be able to do it. She can do it.
MAY, MIGHT
Request in interrogative sentences:
May I take it? Can I take it?
Resolution in affirmative sentences:
You may take the pen. You can take a pen.
Assumption, possibility with Infinitive or Perfect Infinitive and is translated by the words perhaps, maybe.
- She may do it. She might be doing it.
- She may have done it. She may have done it.
- It may be true (This may be true) or It might be true (Perhaps this is true).
May, might are used when talking about possible upcoming actions in the future:
Take an umbrella with you, when you go out. It might rain later. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It might rain later.
Usually in situations that have not yet happened, it is possible to use both verbs may, might.
- I may go to London. I can go to London.
- I might go to London. I could go to London.
Negative form may not and might not (mightn’t): It might not be true. Perhaps this is not true.
We only use might, when the situation is not real.
Example: If I knew them better, I might invite them to dinner. - If I knew them better, I could invite them to dinner. (Meaning of the phrase: The situation is not real because I don’t know them well, so I’m not going to invite them).
The missing forms of the past and future tenses of the modal verb may are replaced by the equivalent: to be allowed to, to be permitted to. He is permitted to go there. He can go there.
Use of verbs can And may is often problematic in modern English. It is sometimes difficult to immediately say which sentence will be correct: “May we expect you tomorrow?” or “Can we expect you tomorrow?”
Once upon a time, according to the strict rules of English grammar can expressed physical or mental ability, A may– permission And OK. It was considered wrong to use can in the meaning of permission. There was a verb for this may:
- May I accompany you to the concert, Miss Smith
- Why of course you may, honey.
And this young lady could ask about her dancing abilities like this:
- Can you do the tango?
And get, for example, such a positive answer:
- Why of course I can, Miss Smith.
Today the rules of language are not so defined. Already from the second half of the 19th century can used in informal speech to express permission. For example, you might hear the following:
Can I go to the party? -Can I go for the evening?
And these days, can also used in informal context for expressing permission. Primary school teachers often hear
Can I go to the garden?
and his parents are being persecuted
Can I have a doll?
Children repeat what they hear from adults, and the latter, as can be seen, are increasingly moving away from may, which sometimes sounds too prim.
Linguist Weichman also separates these verbs, noting that the question with may“sounds more polite.”
Therefore, we can conclude that only in formal and official communication situations should this verb be used to request permission. For example, in a conversation with a restaurant waiter it would be more advantageous to sound
May I have more salt, please?
than
Can I have more salt, please?
And if you knock on the door, it’s better to ask
May I come in?
As for prohibitions, then use may not highly not recommended. This applies to all styles.
You can't go to the disco.
Use may in such cases, although formally acceptable, it sounds unnatural. Educated people are more likely to say “Can’t I?” not “Mayn’t I?” or “May I not?” And even according to the strict rules of English grammar, the question “Why mayn’t I go to the disco?” sounds wrong, you can say “not in English” So, in the near future the verb may not, most likely, will become archaic, if it hasn’t already.
Now let's return to the question asked at the beginning of the article. Which option would be correct: “Can or may we see you tomorrow?” First you need to understand what the speaker means: ability or permission. To do this, you can replace the verb, for example, with its equivalent:
Are we allowed to see you tomorrow?
It is immediately clear that the resolution value is not appropriate.
But the ability in this case is also not implied:
Are we mentally able to see you tomorrow?
If you think about it a little, you come to the conclusion that in this case the best option would be might:
Might we see you tomorrow?
For the difference in the use of may and might, see.
Meanwhile, “Are you coming tomorrow?” may also be suitable in this case. But if you had to choose between can And may, then it is still advisable to give preference to the first:
Can we see you tomorrow?
So, in an informal setting, the use can instead of may allowed and widely used in speech, while in formal style it is recommended to use may.
Modal verbs are widely used in the English language, so if you want to speak English easily and fluently, there is no way to avoid studying this topic. True, at first it may seem somewhat confusing. Many modal verbs have very similar meanings, so they are difficult to distinguish and very easy to confuse. To prevent this from happening, in this article we will study the features of using the modal verbs can, may, must and should.
Definition
First, let's figure out what modal verbs are. Firstly, they are not used independently. In a sentence, they are necessarily combined with a semantic verb, i.e. the modal verb itself cannot denote any specific actions, it can only indicate the possibility, probability, necessity of an action expressed by a semantic one. In addition, it expresses the speaker’s attitude towards any action.
Modal verbs may (might)
These verbs are often difficult to use. They can be either interchangeable or multifunctional. The first and most important meaning that both of these verbs express is probability and uncertainty. However, it is worth remembering that may will still express a greater degree of confidence than might.
With the help of modal verbs we can express any assumptions with a degree of uncertainty about their accuracy.
Example: He may be at the concert - He may be at the concert.
The verbs may/might can be used when talking about some plans and intentions.
Example: I may be going to the cinema - Maybe I’ll go to the cinema.
In interrogative sentences, the verbs may/might can mean a polite form of address.
Example: May I show you my painting? - Can I show you my paintings?
Although in everyday colloquial speech, the verbs may/might in this function are increasingly being replaced by the verb can.
The enable or disable function uses may.
Example: You may eat only one candy at a time - You can eat only one candy at a time.
May can also be used when expressing any wishes. It is worth giving preference to might if we are talking about polite advice.
Example: You might like to try this dish - You might want to try this dish.
Might is also used when talking about some very unlikely situation.
Must
In no case should the modal verbs may/might and must be confused, since must expresses necessity, obligation, obligation, i.e. it has a much stronger meaning.
Example: We must finish this work by autumn - We must finish this work before autumn.
Must can also express some conscious necessity, which is caused not by external circumstances, but by an internal understanding of one’s duty.
Example: We must take care of parents - We must take care of our parents.
You can also use must to express a prohibition or an order.
Can
Like the modal verbs may and must, can is also very often used in speech, so it is important to know the features of its use.
Can is used when you need to talk about the physical or mental ability to do something, i.e. this verb is used when they say that they can do something.
Examples: I can swim - I can swim.
I can run fast - I can run fast.
I can drive a car - I can drive a car.
This verb can also denote theoretical and general possibilities.
Example: She can do anything right now - She can do anything right now.
Can indicates the legal possibility of doing something.
In interrogative sentences, can can mean a request to do something or surprise. Also, this verb in some functions indicates prohibition, distrust or permission.
Example: She cannot be so young! - She can't be that young! (An example of a sentence expressing distrust).
Should
This modal verb most often acts as an advice or recommendation that does not have to be followed.
Should can be used when talking about moral duty.
Example: We should think about our environment more often - We should think about the surrounding nature more often.
This modal verb can express regret about something or even reproach for some action or inaction.
Example: You should solve this problem - You should solve this problem.
Temporal forms of modal verbs
Modal verbs are called insufficient verbs. They received this name because they do not have ordinary verb forms, including tense forms. But how then to construct sentences? The main semantic verb takes on the entire load.
Let's look at a few examples. The present tense is formed quite simply. You just need to follow the formula “modal verb + semantic infinitive”: I can swim.
Some modal verbs have the past tense form (can – could), but in the future tense, can is replaced by the construction will be able to.
For comparison, consider the modal verb must. It has only the present tense form. The formation of all other forms is taken over by the semantic verb. Let's look at examples.
He must send this letter - He must send this letter.
He had to send this letter - He had to send this letter.
He will have to send this letter - He will have to send this letter.
Interrogative and negative sentences
In interrogative sentences, the modal verb is placed either first, if it is a general question, or before the question word, if a special question is used.
Example: Can I see the boss? -Can I see the boss?
There is no question word here, so the modal verb comes first.
When can he go to the cinema? - When can he go to the cinema?
In this example there is a question word “when”, so the modal verb comes after it, i.e. in second place.
Negation and modal verbs
Negation of modal verbs is formed using the negative particle not.
Example: You should not watch this film - You should not watch this film.
However, not all so simple. Some modal verbs can merge with the particle not (cannot) or form a contraction (should not = shouldn’t). But some verbs cannot form a short form or merge with a particle, for example, may is such a verb. The negative form of this verb will look like may not.
Exercises
To test yourself, do exercises on the modal verbs may, might, can, must, should.
Fill in the gaps with suitable modal verbs and translate the sentences.
1. Take your umbrella. It... rain.
Take your umbrella. It can start raining.
This sentence expresses some assumption (it may rain). Therefore we can use may.
2. You ... finish your project as soon as possible.
You must finish your project as soon as possible.
Answer: must
This phrase can be heard, for example, from a boss. This is practically an order (a call to do your job, your duties). Therefore, you can use must.
3. I...swim very well! But unfortinately, I... play the guitar.
I can swim very well. But, unfortunately, I can't play the guitar.
Answer: can / cannot
We are talking about some skills here. That's why can is used.
4. Don't wait for us. We... be late.
Don't wait for us. We might be late.
Answer: might
An assumption made with some uncertainty. You can use might.
5. You are so tired. You ... stay at home and have a rest.
You're so tired. You should stay home and rest.
Answer: Should
Polite advice that does not require mandatory and unconditional execution.
Modal verbs are used very often, so it is extremely important to pay enough attention to them and work out the features of their use in practice. You should definitely pay attention to the meaning of the sentence; it will tell you which verb will be appropriate in a given situation.
Modal verbs are verbs that characterize the responsibilities, capabilities, desires and necessity of action. They directly convey the speaker’s attitude to what is happening.
Despite the fact that modal verbs are strong and do not require the use of an auxiliary verb, when constructing interrogative and negative sentences, they cannot be used independently without a semantic verb:
I cannot fly. - I can not fly.
You may go. - You can go.
In English, modal verbs are used independently only when they form a short answer, or the meaning of the statement is clear from the previous context in which semantic (weak) verbs are used:
- Can you read this?
- I can.
Most people cannot run as fast as animals, but some can.
In English for expression possibilities/impossibility or abilities/inabilities to do something, two modal verbs are most often used - can And may.
They do not change in persons and numbers, as evidenced by the absence of an ending -s- in the present simple tense, do not have all the usual forms for weak verbs (for example, the ending -ing) and do not require the help of an auxiliary verb do/ does/ did.
Can vs. May
Can And may have a meaning in Russian be able/ be able/ allow. It is immediately worth noting that in most cases they are not interchangeable. In the image accompanying the illustration of the article there is a saying:
Do as you may if you can’t do as you could.
This aphorism uses three modal verbs at once and all three will have different shades of meaning. The sentence itself is translated as follows:
Do as you are allowed, if you are prohibited from doing as you could.
There are certain criteria when choosing a particular verb.
Can has two forms in English - the present tense form and the past tense form could, which will also be used in the subjunctive mood.
However, in English it is possible to use a modal verb can in the future tense. In this case, it will be replaced by an equivalent verb to be able to do smth.
I can read English.- Present Simple
He thought he could do it alone.- Past Simple
I wish I could see it.
He told me he could have seen it earlier.- Perfect
She will be able to finish the painting in Summer.- Future
May used in English in the form of present and past tense might, which can also be found in sentences in the subjunctive mood.
May I come in?- Present Simple
They might come yesterday.- Past Simple
He might be at home.- Subjunctive mood (subjunctive mood)
Use of Can and May
Modal verb can has a wider range of applications compared to the verb may.
1. For expression ability or ability to do something use can:
I can swim. Can you?
2. Can also used to indicate possibilities(theoretical or according to some rules):
You can find it in any dictionary.
Russian Railways can change the fares seasonally.- Russian Railways may change tariffs depending on the season.
3. When prohibited used for something cannot (can't). You can also find prohibitions with may, but they will sound too “soft”:
You cannot talk too loud in the library.- You can't speak loudly in the library.
You may not talk loudly in the library.- You are not allowed to speak loudly in the library.
4. Request can be expressed through can or could. The latter in this case will have emphatically polite treatment:
Can you pass me some butter?
Could you pass me some butter?
5. When expressing surprise in interrogative sentences or reproach the narrative often uses a modal verb can. Its shape could will reflect the extreme degree of the condition:
How can you be so rude?- How can you be so rude?
You could tell me in the end.- In the end, you could have told me!
6. Cannot (can't) used to denote strong mistrust:
She can't work there.- Yes, she can’t work there.
They couldn't have done it.- They just couldn't do it.
Please note that in almost all cases of use could, verb emphasizes exaggerated attitude speaking to current events.
In situations where you ask permission to do something can be used both modal verbs. Offers with may at the same time they will sound more formally:
You can come in.- You can come in.
You may come in.- Come in./ You can come in.
Modal verbs may/might contain character speaker's uncertainty regarding the events described. As with could, past form might transmits greater degree of uncertainty:
Somebody's calling. It may be Mary.- Someone is calling. Perhaps it's Mary.
It may rain. Take an umbrella.- It can start raining. Take an umbrella.
Modal verb may most often used when especially polite treatment:
May I sit down?- Can I sit down? / Let me sit down?
Can I sit down? would rather be translated “Can I sit down?”
Often might used when expressing reproach. The sentence sounds especially caustic:
You might have told me beforehand.- I could have warned you in advance.
In this article we started a big important topic on modal verbs and talked about two of them. In future publications we will definitely try to highlight the remaining representatives of this category.
We wish you to be able to master this grammar material! May success be with you!
Victoria Tetkina
InformationI
Modal verbs do not denote the action itself, but indicate the speaker’s attitude towards it. The main features of modal verbs are that they:
1) require after themselves the infinitive of the semantic verb without the particle “to”: I can do this;
2) form an interrogative and a negative form without an auxiliary verb: Can you help me? – No, I cannot (I can’t);
3) the verbs “can” and “may” have only present and past tense forms, the verb “must” has only the present tense form. Modal verbs do not form complex verb forms;
4) do not change either by person or by number: He can speak English;
5) do not have impersonal forms (infinitive, gerund, participle).
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with verbs "can», « may», « must"and check your friend
1. All the students… go home because there will be no meeting after classes.
2. He can help you as he is not busy now.
3. My son... skate well.
5. I am sorry, I... leave. At 5 o'clock I shall have a lecture.
6. When must you come to the lessons? We must come to the lessons at 8.
7. I… don’t go to the club today. I have no time.
8. There are children in this room. You must not smoke here.
9. ...I open the window? Yes, you….
10. You are free and may go home.
InformationII
The verb "can" (past tense "could") expresses the physical or mental ability to perform the action expressed by the infinitive. “Can” is translated into Russian by forms of the verbs “to be able” and “to be able to”:
In the meaning of the verb “can”, as well as in place of its missing forms, the combination “to be able” + an infinitive with the particle “to” can be used:
I shall be able to come to see you tomorrow.
I can come to you tomorrow.
I was able (= could) to do this.
I was able to do it.
I am able (= can) to do this.
I can do it.
Exercise 1
Complete the sentences according to this model and check with your friend:
Model: I can’t help you now, but I’ll be able to do it tomorrow.
1. I cannot come today, but….
2. They can’t swim now, but they’ll be able to do it next month.
3. I can’t talk to her tonight, but….
4. You can’t take my book today, but you’ll be able to do it tomorrow.
5. She can’t cook dinner today, but….
6. I can’t lend you any money this month, but I’ll be able to do it next month.
7. He can’t go to the country this Sunday, but….
8. We can’t help you with the text today, but we’ll be able to do it tomorrow.
Exercise 2
Translate these sentences into English and check your friend
1. I couldn't help you yesterday.
2. Can you believe this story?
3. He will be able to come to the meeting tomorrow.
4. She will be able to see you tomorrow.
6. They could go to the country last month.
7. You can help us tomorrow.
8. Can your sister play the piano?
9. What languages can you speak?
10. He will be able to finish the work tomorrow.
InformationIII
The verb may (past tense might only for indirect speech) expresses:
1) resolution:
May I come in? Can I come in?
2) possibility or assumption:
It may rain today. Maybe it will rain today.
In the meaning of the verb “may”, as well as in place of its missing forms, the combination “to be allowed” + an infinitive with the particle “to” can be used.
He was allowed to stay here. He was allowed to stay here.
Exercise 1
Use the modal verb "may"at the specified time and check your friend
1. The students (may) leave the room in half an hour. (Future Indefinite).
2. She was allowed to play the piano yesterday.
3. You (may) look some words up in the dictionary at the examination. (Future Indefinite).
4. You will be allowed to stay away from classes tomorrow.
5. She (may) swim in the morning. (Past Indefinite).
6. We were allowed to go to the theater yesterday.
8. Ann is still weak. She will not be allowed to go out tomorrow.
9. You (may) use my dictionary in an hour. (Future Indefinite).
10. Shall I be allowed to bring my friend with me tomorrow?
InformationIV
The verb "must" expresses necessity or moral obligation. The verb “must” is translated into Russian with the words “should”, “need”, “must”:
I must get up early every day. I need to get up early every day.
The verb "must" has no past tense.
To express the past tense, its equivalents “to have to...” and “to be to...” are used. To express the future tense, only the equivalent “to have to...” is used.
The verb “to have” followed by the infinitive of another verb with the particle “to” expresses an obligation arising from external conditions, and is often translated into Russian by the verb “have to”.
I had to wait for the tram for 10 minutes yesterday.
Yesterday I had to wait 10 minutes for the tram.
The verb “to be to...” means an obligation arising from a preliminary agreement or plan.
Mister N. is to make a report at the next me ting.
Mr. N has to make a report at the next meeting.
Exercise 1
Translate the following sentences into Russian and check your friend
1. She had to ask for directions to the station.
2. The students will have to stay after their classes.
3. I have to do my homework today.
4. We were to meet at the station at 6.
5. You will have to repeat the lecture material before the exam.
6. When are we to visit the laboratories of the Institute?
7. I will have to answer a lot of letters tomorrow.
8. You will have to leave at 6 to catch the train.
9. Mom has to cook dinner after work.
10. The girl had to take care of her younger sisters and brothers.
11. I was supposed to arrive by the ten o'clock train, but I couldn't get a ticket for it.
12. We shall have to speak to him about it.
13. We must be with him no later than 8 o’clock.
14. He was to leave last night.
Exercise 2
Translate the following sentences using examples and check with your friend
(I) had to... (I) shall have to …
1. I had to get up early.
2. You will have to do this today.
3. We shall have to meet them.
4. He had to come at 8 o'clock.
Did (you) have to? … Will (you) have to? ...
5. Did you have to wait for a long time?
6. Will I have to make a report?
7. Did he have to do this work?
8. Do we have to go there?
(I) didn't have to... (I) shall not have to…
9. I didn’t have to write to him.
10. We won't need to call them.
11. They will not have to go there.
12. They shouldn't have gone to the station.