5
Основные значения модальных глаголов
и их эквивалентов
Глаголы Значение
Примеры
can
(could)
Способность, навыки,
умения
Kate can speak English well.
I could skate well when I was
little.
Просьбa,
разрешение
Could you help me? — I’m
afraid I can’t. I’m busy.
You can use my mobile if
you need it.
Объективная
возможность
You can always go to the
school library if you need a
book.
Неуверенность,
сомнение
Can she be so young?
She could have written this
letter.
Невероятность
He can’t have done it.
Упрек
He could be more generous
to his mother.
You could have called us.
may
(might)
Формальная просьба,
разрешение
May I come in? – Yes, you
may.
You
may take my pen.
Предположение
It may start raining soon.
Упрек, совет
(только might)
You might help us, you’re
quite free now.
You might have told us about
it.
must
Обязанность,
долг, необходимость
You must do it immediately.
Must we learn it by heart?
Строгий запрет
You mustn’t go there.
Уверенность
It must be cold outside. You
must have made a mistake.
6
should/
ought to
Совет, моральный долг You should go to the doctor.
You ought to help your
parents.
Упрек, совет
You should have done it long
ago.
have to
Вынужденная
необходимость в силу
обстоятельств
I had to take a taxi yesterday.
I’ll have to rewrite the test.
Отсутствие
необходимости
(отрицательная форма)
You don’t have to get up
early on Saturday.
be to
Обязанность по
предварительной
договоренности
He is to meet us at the
station.
We were to wait for them at
the door.
Приказ/запрет
You are to come here on
time.
You are not to leave without
permission.
Неизбежность,
предрешенность
He was to leave soon.
It was to happen.
be able
to
Возможность
совершения
действия в
определенной ситуации
I think I’ll be able to do it
myself.
need
Отсутствие
необходимости
(отрицательная форма)
You needn’t do this exercise
now.
You
needn’t have gone there.
1. Write a request for each situation using can, could,
may and the words in brackets. Use may when you need to be
very polite.
1. You are in a very expensive cafe. You want a coffee. (I /
have).
7
2. You are lost. You see an old man with a mobile phone. (I /
use).
3. Your computer won’t work. Your friend is good with com-
puters. (you / help).
4. You are late for class. You want to go into the room. (I /
come in).
5. You want to see your friend after school. (we / meet).
6. You have invited your friend to a party. You like his CD.
(you / bring).
7. It is cold. Your friend is in front of an open window. (you /
close).
8. You are going to play tennis with a friend. You have the
ball. (we / start).
2. Complete the sentences using the words in the box.
Sometimes two or three answers are possible.
Can could have may might must mustn’t ought should
1. When you travel by bus, you … have a ticket.
2. When I was a young man, I … run 10 kilometres, but now
I’m too old.
3. My mum says I … to come home before 10 O’clock.
4. … I go home early today, please?
5. You … to read this book – it’s very interesting.
6. I’m going to take an umbrella because it … rain later.
7. She … speak French and Spanish, but her English is terri-
ble.
8. What do you think? … I do the exam this year or next year?
9. You … watch television, but please keep it quiet.
10. Don’t worry. You don’t … to buy me a present.
11. … you give me some money, please? I’ve left my bag at
home.
8
12. At the zoo, you … give food to the animals. It’s very bad
for them.
3. Fill in the blanks with a modal form from the box:
can – can’t – could – couldn’t – didn’t need to –
must – mustn’t – needn’t
1. You’ve got plenty of time. You … hurry.
2. There’s a knock at the door. I’m expecting Paul. It … be
him.
3. I can’t get my phone to work. It … be out of order
4. … I ask you a question?
5. That was excellent work. But I … do it without you.
6. She … be 35. She looks older than that.
7. I … go to work on Saturdays. It’s my day off.
8. Tom has given me a letter to post. I … forget to post it.
9. Ann stayed in bed this morning because she … go to work.
10. He … play chess when he was young.
11. You … drive a car when you’re 18.
12. Jack spends the whole day just walking around. He …
have a job.
13. When I was in school I … do a hand stand, but now I’m
too old. I … do one any more.
14. My mother keeps telling me that we … wash our hands
before we sit down at the dinner table.
Достарыңызбен бөлісу: