English is one of the most widely spoken languages in our modern society. If our parents started to get acquainted with it in middle school, then most of us learned the language of the British Isles already in kindergarten. Like any other language, English has its own grammatical, lexical, grammatical, syntactic and other difficulties.
One of the distinguishing properties of the English language is the existence and use of modal verbs, which, as a linguistic phenomenon, are in principle absent in the Russian language, which is why they cause difficulty. Therefore, let's deal with them - what they are, how and why they are used, and whether it is possible to do without them.
Meaning of Modal Verbs in English
Modal verbs can (could), may (might), must, ought, need form a special group. They do not have independent use, but only together with the form of the subsequent infinitive. Opportunities, abilities, probabilities, the need to commit anyactions - all this is expressed by modality in combination with a verb in meaning. Together they form a grammatical structure - a compound verb predicate, an example with the modal verb can:
"She can write a novel" - "She can write a novel".
An example of another modal verb:
"He may arrive tonight" - "He may arrive tonight".
Modal verbs can (could), may (might), must, ought, need do not denote a specific process or action. They can only show the attitude of the speaker regarding a certain action, his assessment of this action. Modal verbs are not "full" verbs because they don't have all the forms that other verbs have. For example, the modal verbs can and may have the past tense of could and might. In turn, must, ought, need have only a form in the present tense.
Distinguishing characteristics of Modal Verbs of English
As a linguistic phenomenon, they have their own characteristics. On the Internet, you can find a lot of examples of tables of English modal verbs, which describe their specific features in as much detail as possible. Therefore, we will not dwell on this in detail, but will say about it briefly.
1) Modal Verbs is missing the 3rd person singular present ending ("She can swim", "He may come").
2) There are no impersonal forms - infinitive, gerund, participle.
3) Not used in the forma simple verbal predicate, but only as a compound one ("Kate need some fruits", "I must be there").
4) The interrogative and negative forms of the modal verb are formed without an auxiliary verb. Interrogative sentence - the modal verb comes before the subject, the negative - after the Modal Verb the negation is put not ("Can you send it?", "They need not go there").
5) In addition to the modal verb could and might, there is no past tense, as well as future, perfect and passive voice.
Characteristic of the modal verb must
Modal Verb "must" has its own translation features and distinctive features and shades of meaning.
- The action is inevitable for objective reasons. Example: "She must listen to this". - She should listen to this.
- The action is forced for objective reasons. Example: "They must not go there". - They shouldn't go there.
- The performance of the action is necessary in the subjective opinion of the speaker. Example: "I must leave as soon as I can". - I have to leave this place as soon as I can.
Characteristic of the modal verb could/can
This Modal Verb also has its own special shades of meaning when used. Let's look into them.
- An action can be performed due to the presence of conditions for itcommitted in the present as well as in the future. Example: "She can be there". - She might be there.
- Action can be done by permission or permission. Example: "Can I see the doctor?" - Can I see a doctor?
- The modal verb could/can can help convey the meaning of the ability to perform an action. Example: "He can speak Spanish". - He can speak Spanish.
Expressing a guess with modal verbs
One of the hardest things about using them is expressing a guess. Each modal verb has its own shade.
- Must. This Modal Verb is used when indicating an assumption that is based on fact, knowledge, almost complete certainty of veracity. Example: "John must ba at school". - John is probably at school.
- Should. In this case, the assumption is based on the fact. Example: "This balls should be of equal volume". - These balls are probably the same size.
- Ought. When using this modal verb, the assumption is also based on the fact. Example: "It ought to be easy to find this book". - This book will probably be easy to find.
- Will/would. When using will and would, the subjective opinion of the speaker comes to the fore. Example: "You`ll have read of it?" - You must have read about it?
- Can/could. Modal verbs are usually used in negative sentences, where the improbability of an action is expressed. This is a simple case. The modal verb could is one of the most commonly used. Example: "You can`t really fly to Spain or you wouldn`t have hesitation". - You can't really fly to Spain or you have no doubts.
- May. There is no certainty that the action will definitely occur. It may or may not happen. Example: "He may have come there". - He could have come there (but didn't).
- Might is used when the speaker is unsure of a fact. Example: "He might have been to Moscow". - He may have been in Moscow.
- Need. The use is typical for negative sentences and when the action is optional. Example: "It need not take much time". - It won't take you long.
It's worth taking a little time to understand all the intricacies of using modal verbs, and you will have one less English difficulty!
