If you are learning English from scratch, be prepared to get acquainted with a radically different verb system. The system of tenses of the English language and the rules of reading are very different from Russian. Quite often, newcomers to learning, faced with the first difficulties, give up. Nevertheless, the rules of English grammar are quite easy to understand.
Modal verbs
Modal verb is a special unit in English that obeys a separate rule. There are several types of verbs in English: regular, irregular, modal. The list of irregular verbs is separate, you need to know it by heart. Regular and irregular verbs differ from each other in the way they form the past tense. Regular verbs form past tense forms by adding the ending -ed, irregular verbs change their form completely. In addition, verbs are divided into main and auxiliary. The main ones have a lexical function, they denote a specific action. Such verbs are translated into Russian. Auxiliary verbs exist only in tandem with the main ones, they carry a grammatical function. These verbs do not have a translation into Russian. modal verbs in englishlanguage have an additional function in relation to the main verbs, which equates them in function to auxiliary ones. They denote the relationship of the subject to the main action: obligation, need or ability to do something. That is, I must know or know how to swim, I can tell and so on.
Modal verbs: rules and examples
For comfortable language skills, you need to know the following list of modal verbs: can, must, may, need, ought to, should, have to, to be able to, manage to. As for the rules for using modal verbs, the basic principles are:
1) we do not add endings to modal verbs (with the exception of the modal verb manage to);
2) we do not put to after modal verbs (except need, have to, ought to)
3) the main verb after the modal is put in the infinitive form (initial form)
For example:
I need to go, it's late. I have to go, it's getting late.
You have to do this task till tomorrow evening. You must complete this task by tomorrow evening.
You ought to find another way. You should find another way out.
Students must follow university rules. Students must follow the rules of the university.
My mother is very clever, she can speak five languages. My mother is very smart, she speaks five languages.
| Modal verbs: table | |||
| Modal verb | Translation | Negativeform | Past tense form |
| can | be able | can not=can't | could |
| must | should | must not=mustn't | had to |
| may | can | may not | might |
| ought to | should | ought not to | ought to have done |
| should | should | should not=shouldn't | should |
| have to | have to | do/does not have to=don't/doesn't have to | had to |
| need | need |
do/does/did not need=don't/doesn't/didn't need or needn't |
needed |
| to be able to | be able | am/is/are not able to | was/were able to |
| manage to | be able | do/does/did not manage=don't/doesn't/didn't manage to | managed to |
Modal verbs are similar in meaning, but there are still some differences. Let's take a closer look.
Modal verbcan/could
This modal verb translates as "I can, I can", it can mean a skill or ability to do something. Can is the present tense form, could is the past tense form. If you use modal verbs according to the rule in the future tense, use the modal verb form to be able to - will be able to. For example:
I can swim very well, because I had very good teacher. I can swim very well because I had a good teacher.
I could see much better several years ago. A few years ago I saw much better.
We will be able to help you, explain the situation. We can help you, explain the situation.
The negative form of modal verbs is formed according to the rules by adding the negative particle not - can not, short form can't. For example:
I can't find my book in this mess. I can't find my book in this mess.
Could not, shortened form of couldn't. For example:
Students and pupils could be ready for this competition. Pupils and students could not prepare for this competition.
To formulate an interrogative sentence with the modal verb can/could, you need to use the reverse word order in the sentence, that is, put the modal verb first, not the subject. For example:
Can Mike take your shirt, his is dirty? Can Mike take your shirt, its dirty?
In the interrogative form, the verb could has a polite connotation, you can use it to ask permission. For example:
Could youborrow me some s alt? Can you lend me some s alt?
Modal verbs to be able to/manage to
Another modal verb meaning "to be able to" to be able to. But if could has more general boundaries, then be able to is used in private, specific situations. For example:
The fire spread very quickly, but everybody was able to escape. The fire spread very quickly, but everyone managed to escape.
We didn't know where is my cat, but finally we managed to find him. We didn't know where my cat was, but we were able to find him eventually.
Past form of the verb to be able to - was/were able to. The past form of the verb manage to - managed to.
To create an interrogative sentence, you need to put an auxiliary or modal verb in the first place. For example:
Was she able to get out of the room without your help? Was she able to get out of the room without your help?
Who manage to beat the best player? Who can beat the best player?
To form a negative sentence, use not or an auxiliary verb. For example:
I didn't manage to do this work without instruction. I couldn't do this job without instructions.
Modal verb must
The modal verb must expresses an obligation of extreme degree. If you are learning English from scratch, you should know that you need to be more careful with this verb, since it has an orderly meaning. When you want to giverecommendation rather than a command, another verb should be chosen. For example:
Pupils of our school must follow the Regulation. The students of our school must follow the Bylaws.
The modal verb must in its negative form means "not required". Formed by adding a negative particle not for example:
Your family must not move in another town if they don't want to. Your family should not move to another city if they don't want to.
To form an interrogative sentence, put must first in the sentence.
Must the animals be kept in the cages? Should animals be kept in cages?
Besides, the verb must has one more meaning. We say must be in the sense of "must be, probably." For example:
You must be very hungry because you have missed the dinner. You must be very hungry because you missed lunch.
It must be very noisy to live in the center of such big city. It must be very noisy to live in the middle of such a big city.
Modal verb may/might
May and might, like all modal verbs, usually complement the main verb. The translation of this verb is "can, can". May is the present tense form, might is the past tense form. For example:
I may be one of the best students in this college. I can be the best student in college.
Where is my bag? It might be in your room. Where is my bag? She could be in your room.
He might be having lunch. He,maybe had lunch.
It is a very strange explanation, but may be true. This is a very strange explanation, but it may be true.
To make a negative sentence, use the negative particle not - may not, might not.
It may not be truth! This can't be true!
An interrogative sentence is formed according to the general rule: put the modal verb first. For example:
May I open the windows, it is very hot? May I open the window, it's very hot in here?
Modal verb have to
The modal verb have to has the meaning "have to, should, should". It has three forms in the present, past and future tenses: have/has to, had to, will have to. For example:
You will have to stay in this flat till next summer. You will have to stay in this apartment until next summer.
She has to cook the dinner immediately. She has to cook dinner urgently.
We have to go away, there is no place for us anymore. We have to leave, we don't belong here anymore.
My friends had to finish the work, but they failed. My friends had to do the work. but they couldn't.
To form a negative sentence with the modal verb have to, you need to add the auxiliary verb do/does/did and the negative particle not. For example:
You don't have to watch the film till the end. You don't have to watch the movie until the end.
These people didn't have to fix your car free. These people didn't have to fix your car for free.
Mary doesn't have to buy all the food for you. Marie doesn't have to buy food for you.
To write an interrogative sentence with modal verbs according to the rule, have to, you need to put the auxiliary verb do, does or did in the first place in the sentence. This is called reverse word order in a sentence. If necessary, add a question word before the auxiliary verb. For example:
Do you have to stay at work till the evening? Do you have to stay at work until the evening?
How long did you have to wait for her? How long did you have to wait for her?
Modal verb ought to
This modal verb is similar in meaning to the previous one, it is synonymous. The modal verb ought to means "should have". For example:
Girls ought to be more careful in the dark time. Girls should be more careful at night.
In a negative sentence, we add the negative particle not to the verb. For example:
They ought not to miss all the lessons. They shouldn't have missed all the lessons.
To build an interrogative sentence, place the modal verb ought at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
Ought I to follow his instructions? Should I follow his instructions?
Or with a question word:
When ought I to come to you ? When should I come to you?
Modal verb should
This modal verb also has the meaning of obligation, translated as "should, must", has a softer anda polite value than must. The modal verb should is a past tense verb. For example:
I should stay with him when he is ill. I must stay with him while he is sick.
You should be more careful with your he alth. You should take better care of your he alth.
It rains every day, you should have an umbrella. It rains every day, you should carry an umbrella with you.
The negative form of the verb is formed with the negative particle not - should not, the abbreviated form is shouldn't. For example:
You shouldn't spent so much time with this men. You shouldn't be spending so much time with this man.
The low shouldn't allow bad people do what they want. The law should not allow rascals to do what they want.
Interrogative sentences with the modal verb should are formed by rearranging the members of the sentence. The modal verb comes first. For example:
Should I close the door? Should I close the door?
Should these young people behave not so noisy? Should these young people be quieter?
Possible options with a question word:
Who should take care about your dog when you are on holydays? Who should take care of your dog while you are on vacation?
W here should I put these boxes? Where should I put these boxes?
Modal verb need
This verb is one of the most frequently used in English speech. The modal verb need is translated "need". WeWe use it in various situations. For example:
I need to see my doctor as soon as possible. I need to see my doctor ASAP.
Kate need your help, call her just now! Kate needs your help, call her now!
The negative form of this verb can be formed in two ways. By adding the negative particle not to the modal verb - need not, in the abbreviated form needn't, or, by adding the auxiliary verb do/does/did and the negative particle not - don't need, doesn't need, didn't need. The meaning of the negative form is "no need", that is, there is no need, but if you want, you can do it. For example:
You needn't read all these books, choose one. You don't have to read all these books, choose one.
I don't need to listen to you anymore, I can made decision myself. I no longer need to listen to you, I can make my own decision.
Form an interrogative sentence in the same way: put the auxiliary verb do/does/did first. For example:
Do you need to have some time to prepare? Do you need time to prepare?
Does my sister need to draw pictures? Does my sister need to draw pictures?
