Modal verbs "can", "could", "must", "may"

Modal verbs in English do not obey the general rules by which other verbs act. They are not used separately and do not have independent significance. The modal verbs "can", "could", "must", "may" express the speaker's attitude to the main action. What does it mean? Some verbs express the degree of possibility, others express duty. After modal verbs, the -to particle is not used, with the exception of the verbs "to be able to" and "manage to". Examples:

I can swim. (I can swim).

She must obey her parents. (She must obey her parents).

Who could see my cat? (Who could see my cat?).

Workers are not able to finish this building. (Workers are not able to finish the construction of this building).

She managed to find her mobile phone immidiately when we went away. (She was able to find her cell phone right after we left).

Rules for using modal verbs

As mentioned above, modal verbs exist by their own rules. But they are easy to remember, since the list of such verbs is small:

- to be able to - I can;

- manage to - I can;

- can / could - I could;

- must - must;

- may - may.

As you can see, some of them have a synonymous meaning. There is a common misconception that the modal verbs "can", "could", "must" and "may" vary in persons and numbers, time. In fact, this is not so. That is, we do not add any endings to these verbs and do not change them. The exception is the verb "manage" - we can put it in the past tense by adding the ending "-ed" - "managed". And also, the verb "to be able to" - here the auxiliary verb "to be" changes according to the general rules.

The verbs "to be able to" and "manage to"

The verb "to be able to" translates as "to be able, able, able." For instance:

These people are able to do the work in time. (These people are able to complete the work on time).

The verb changes as follows:

The meaning of the verb "manage to" is "can." It changes according to the following scheme:

In a word, nothing complicated. The main thing is to understand these simple rules.

The verbs "can" and "could"

The next rule is harder, but not by much. The modal verbs "can" and "could" are translated as "can, I can," have a common meaning. While "manage to" and "to be able to" are used mainly in special cases. Although, only mostly. In principle, the verbs "can", "could", "managed", "be able to" act according to similar rules.

* It is worth paying attention. The modal verb "can" has no future tense form. Therefore, it is appropriate to use an analogue - "manage to" or "to be able to".

The verbs must and may

The next moment. The verbs "can", "could", "must", "may" have separate forms at different times. This simplifies their use. The verb "must" has the sharpest degree of obligation. For instance:

You must go home now, it won't be discussed! (You have to go home and this is not discussed!).

If you want to use a milder degree of obligation, give advice or recommendations, then the verb "should" should be used. For instance:

You shouldn't eat so much sweet, if you wont to be fit. (You should not eat so much sweet if you want to be slim).

The verb may is translated as can and usually. used in polite requests. For instance:

I'm sorry, may I take your pen for a minute? (Sorry, can I take your pen for a minute?).

The verb "must" has no forms at other times than the present. Therefore, we substitute similar in value. In this case, it is appropriate to use the modal verb "have to" - "must, forced."

The main thing is to figure it out. In fact, nothing complicated.

Use of modal verbs in negative and interrogative sentences

The word order in English sentences is strictly fixed. This means that, regardless of the context, in the affirmative sentence, the subject will come first, then the predicate, and then the additional members of the sentence. In a negative sentence, everything is the same. Only after the predicate does the negative particle "not" appear. This word order is called direct. The word order in an interrogative sentence is called the reverse. Here, at the beginning of the sentence there is a predicate, then - a subject, further - additional members of the sentence. In the case of the modal verbs "can", "could", "may" and others, everything is in accordance with the rules. They function as auxiliary. For instance:

I can not (can't) swim. (I can not swim).

She must not (mustn't) do it, if she doesn't wont. (She should not do this if she does not want to).

They will not (won't) be able to cook the dinner without the light. (She cannot cook dinner without light).

Can you help me with the dinner? (Can you help me with dinner?).

Shall I go with her? (Should I go with her?).

May I go for a walk, I'm tired. (May I go for a walk, I'm tired.).

In special interrogative sentences, interrogative words are at the beginning of the sentence:

Who can speak English? (Who can speak English?).

Examples of the use of modal verbs

Consider a few short dialogs:

1). - I want to be a dentist in a future.

- So, you should study hard in the school.

- I want to become a dentist in the future.

“Then you have to study hard at school.”

2). - You must be gentle with your younger sister.

- I will try, but she is too noisy.

“You have to be gentle with your little sister.”

“I will try, but she is very noisy.”

3). - What abilities do have?

- I can play guitar and piano.

- What do you know?

- I can play the guitar and the piano.

Practical part

Try translating the following sentences into English. Use modal verbs:

1). Can i open the window?

2). My parents should pay more attention to each other.

3). She could not have designed this room better.

4). I was happy and able to do absolutely everything!

5). Could you find the keys?

Keys:

1) May I open the window?

2) My paretnts should put more attention to each other.

3) She wasn't able to decorate this room better.

4) I was happy and able to do absolutely everything!

5) Did you manage to find the keys?