Modal verbs and their equivalents are an important tool for constructing sentences and expressing ideas in English. It's hard with them, but even harder without them. We have to put up with atypical grammar, the absence of prepositions before infinitives, the ending -ing and the tenses of the category "continuous", "perfect" and "perfect continuous". This article will consider the most commonly used modal verbs and give their synonyms as close as possible in meaning.
Why do we need equivalents?
A synonym or equivalent of a modal verb is a nice bonus for those who find it hard to get used to some grammar rules again. Many beginners find these equivalents quite handy. And no wonder: after all, they had just got acquainted with the complex structure of English sentences and auxiliary verbs, when it suddenly turns out that some certain words do not obey this structure at all! For such surprised beginners, first of all, 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 introduce something new into it, some kind of emotional connotation, a formal or, conversely, a familiar tone.
And finally, the last reason why 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 language, but in a foreign language. There are few enthusiasts, but some still exist.
What is the difference between modal verbs and their English equivalents?
Of course, this difference is quite large. At the same time, it is difficult to catch immediately. The table below shows the most important, significant differences.
| Modal verbs | Modal verb equivalents |
| The preposition is not used after them | After them, a preposition can, and sometimes even should be used |
| Auxiliary verbs are never used with them | Auxiliary verbs are used with most of them in the same way as with regular verbs |
| They are not used in tenses of the category "perfect", "continuous" and "perfectlong" | They are used in all tenses and temporal forms |
| They don't have the -ing form. | They can take the form of a gerund and a present and/or past participle |
Equivalent to the verb to have - to get
From the school bench or from dictionaries and textbooks, most Russian speakers know the basic meaning of the verb to get - "to receive". However, very often many people forget that this word also has a lot of alternative meanings.
In this particular case, only one of them is most remarkable: to get in the past tense form can easily replace to have in the present form.
| Option with to have | Option with to get | Translation |
| 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've never had a girlfriend. |
The English equivalents of modal verbs are very useful when you need to formulate a question or a negative, because they follow the standard rules: add the appropriate auxiliary verb, change the word order, or add the appropriate particle not.
Equivalent of the verb can – to be able to
Modal verbs and their equivalents can be very different. So, the verb can, familiar to many, is very different from the construction to be able to. The verb does without a preposition, but the construction requires it; the verb is very concise, and the construction seems overloaded; the verb sounds simple, but the construction is formal. However, they are quite interchangeable.
| Option with can | Option with to be able to | Translation |
| He can run very fast without getting tired. | He is able to run very fast without getting tired. | He can (is able) to 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 use this tool to fix the car? |
| They can't live together. | They are not able to live together. | They cannot (are not able) to live together. |
As you can see from the examples, to be able to is almost identical to can in its lexical meaning.
Equivalent to the verb to must – to have to
All modal verbs and their equivalents are somewhat similar. To have to in its structure is a bit like to be able to, with the only difference that the second one sounds more formal, and the first one is softer and more loyal. Has to is usually translated as "have to". However, in many cases it is quite successful.replaces must.
| Option with to must | Option with to have to | Translation |
| I must not go to work now. | I have not to go to work now. | I don't have to go to work now./I don't 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 my friend should/my friend will have to marry her. |
| Must we help him? | Have we to help him? | Should/we have to help him? |
As the examples of sentences with the equivalent of the modal verb to must show, to have to can almost completely replace it.
Equivalent to the verb to may - to be allowed to
In this case, you have to pay attention to the polysemy of the verb to may. It can mean both mental ability (for example, "I can quickly calculate in my mind"), and permission to do something. It is the second meaning that is replaced by the phrase to be able to.
| Option with to may | Option with to be allowed to | Translation |
| 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 saysthat I can visit her at any time. |
| May I ask you a question? | Am I allowed to ask you a question? | Can I ask you a question? |
Summing up
Modal verbs and their equivalents in English is a difficult but interesting section. Of course, one cannot completely replace all modal verbs by excluding them from everyday speech, and then explain themselves freely and simply. However, knowing the equivalents is still very useful: they will allow you not to get confused in grammar, expand your vocabulary and sound more confident in any situation, whether it's an informal conversation with friends or a formal conversation.
