Modal verbs and their equivalents are an important tool for constructing sentences and expressing ideas in English. It’s difficult with them, but even more difficult without them. One has to put up with atypical grammar, the absence of prepositions to infinitives, the ending -ing and the tenses of the categories "long", "perfect" and "perfect long". In this article, the most commonly used modal verbs will be considered and their synonyms as close as possible in meaning.
Why do we need equivalents?
The synonym, or equivalent, of a modal verb is a nice bonus for those who find it difficult to get used to some kind of grammar rules again. Many beginners find these equivalents quite convenient. And no wonder: they just got acquainted with the complex structure of English sentences and auxiliary verbs, when it suddenly turns out that some specific words do not obey this structure at all! For such surprised beginners, in the first place, there are equivalents.
Another compelling reason to learn equivalents is to expand your vocabulary. In addition, synonyms not only exactly repeat a certain meaning of a word, but can also add something new to it, some kind of emotional connotation, formal or, conversely, familiar tone.
And finally, the last reason people learn modal verbs and their equivalents is ordinary human curiosity and pleasure. Probably all Russian speakers will happily and proudly agree that the Russian language is beautiful and rich. However, sometimes much more effort and interest is needed to find something beautiful and pleasant not in the native, but in a foreign language. There are few enthusiasts, but some are still located.
What is the difference between modal verbs and their equivalents in English?
Of course, this difference is quite large. At the same time, it is difficult to catch it right away. The table below shows the most important, significant differences.
| Modal verbs | Equivalents of modal verbs |
| No preposition is used after them. | After them can, and sometimes even a pretext should be used |
| Auxiliary verbs are never used with them. | Auxiliary verbs are used with most of them in the same way as with ordinary verbs |
| They are not used in the tenses of the category "perfect", "continuous" and "perfect continuous" | They are used in all times and types of temporary forms. |
| They have no form with -ing ending. | They may take the form of gerund and the participles of the present and / or past tense. |
Equivalent to verb to have - to get
From the school bench or from dictionaries and textbooks, most Russian speakers know the main meaning of the verb to get - "receive". However, very often many forget that this word also has a lot of alternative meanings.
Specifically, in this case, only one of them is most remarkable: to get in the past tense form can easily replace to have in the present tense.
| Option to have | Option to get | Transfer |
| I have a new car. | I got a new car. | I have a new car. |
| My sister has a new job. | My sister has got a new job. | My sister has a new job. / My sister got a new job. |
| I have never had any girlfriend. | I have never got any girlfriend. | I have never had a girlfriend. |
The equivalents of modal verbs in English are very useful when you need to formulate a question or negation, because they obey the standard rules: add the appropriate auxiliary verb, change the order of words or add the corresponding particle not.
Equivalent to verb can - to be able to
Modal verbs and their equivalents can vary greatly. So, the familiar verb can is very different from the construction to be able to. The verb dispenses with the preposition, and the construction requires it; the verb is very concise, and the design seems overloaded; the verb sounds simple, and the design is formal. However, they are completely interchangeable.
| Option with can | Variant with to be able to | Transfer |
| He can run very fast without getting tired. | He is able to run very fast without getting tired. | He can (capable) run very fast and not get tired. |
| Can we use this tool to fix the machine? | Are we able to use this tool to fix the machine? | Can we (able) use this tool to repair a car? |
| They can not live together. | They are not able to live together. | They cannot (are not able) to live together. |
As the examples show, to be able to is almost identical to can in its lexical meaning.
The equivalent of the verb to must - to have to
All modal verbs and their equivalents are somewhat similar. To have to in its structure resembles a little to be able to, with the only difference being that the second sounds more formal, and the first - more softly and loyally. Has to is usually translated as "necessary." Nevertheless, in many cases, it quite successfully replaces must.
| Variant with to must | Option to have to | Transfer |
| I must not go to work now. | I have not to go to work now. | I should not go to work now. / I will not have to go to work now. |
| Her fathers says that my friend must marry her. | Her father says that my friend has to marry her. | Her father says that my friend should / my friend will have to marry her. |
| Must we help him? | Have we to help him? | Should we / should we help him? |
As examples of sentences with the equivalent of the modal verb to must show, to have to is almost completely able to replace it.
The equivalent of the verb to may - to be allowed to
In this case, you will have to pay attention to the polysemy of the verb to may. It can mean both mental ability (for example, "I can quickly count in my mind"), and permission for something. It is the second meaning that is replaced by the phrase to be able to.
| Variant with to may | Variant with to be allowed to | Transfer |
| If I may say so, sir. | If I am allowed to say so, sir. | If I can / If I may say so, sir. |
| My mother always says I may visit her at any time. | My mother always says I am allowed to visit her at any time. | My mother always says that I can pay her visits at any time. |
| May I ask you a question? | Am I allowed to ask you a question? | May I ask you a question? |
To summarize
Modal verbs and their equivalents in the English language are a complex but interesting section. Of course, you cannot completely replace all modal verbs, excluding them from everyday speech, and after that it is possible to explain freely and simply. However, it is still very useful to know the equivalents: they will allow you not to get confused in the grammar, expand the vocabulary and sound more confident in any situation, whether it is an informal conversation with friends or an official conversation.