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Equivalent: to be able, to be capable и другие.
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120. The modal verb “may”
The modal verb “may” expresses the possibility of an event (action or state) which depends upon the circumstances (or proceeds from some outside influence), or supposition that the event really takes, took or will take place.
May we smoke in here? (Are we allowed to smoke in here?)
It is 9 o’clock. The library may be open now. (Possibly the library is open at this hour.)
The modal verb “may” has tense and mood.
Indicative Subjunctive
present tense past tense
may might might
The verb “may” (“might”) may be followed by different forms of the infinitive. The forms of the infinitive express the meaning of voice, order or aspect.
“May” — Indicative:
He may do it. (Possibly he will do it now or in general.) He may be doing it. (Possibly he is doing it now.)
He may be asked to do it. (Possibly somebody will ask him to do it.)
He may have done it. (Possibly he did/has done it.) He may have been doing it for a very long time. (Possibly he has been doing it for a very long time.) He said he might come. (He said that he would possibly come. — in past time contexts, mostly in the indirect speech)
“May” — Subjunctive:
He might do it. (It is doubtful but possible that he will do it.)
He might have done it. (It is doubtful but possible that he did it.)
Эквивалент: to be allowed (to), to be permitted to.
121. The modal verb “must”
The modal verb “must” is generally used to express absolutenecessity for the event to take place or the assurance of the speaker that it really takes or took place.
He must go there at once. (It is absolutely necessary, obligatory for him to go there at once.)
He must have gone there at once. (I am sure that he went there at once.)
The verb “must” has one unchangeable form. It may be followed by different forms of the infinitive. The meanings of voice, order and aspect are expressed by the infinitive which follows the modal verb “must”.
He must read this book. (It is absolutely necessary for him to do it now or in general.)
He must be working in the library now. (I am sure he is working in the library now.)
Such books must be read by everybody. (It is absolutely necessary for everybody to read such books.)
He must have read this book. (I am sure he has read this book.)
He must have been reading this book for a long time now. (I am sure he has been reading this book for a long time now.)
Эквивалент: to be obliged (to) (используется редко).
122. The verb “need”
“Need” used as a modal verb indicates the necessity of the event without specifying the cause of the necessity.
You need to go there at once. (It is necessary for you to go there at once.)
Need I return the book to the library before the end of the term? (Do you think it necessary for me to return the book to the library before the end of the term?)
The verb “need” may be used as a regular or as an irregular (defective) verb. As an irregular defective verb it has only one form — “need”. The forms of the infinitive which follow “need” express the meaning of order, aspect and voice. The infinitive is used in this case without the particle “to”. As a defective verb “need” is mainly found in interrogative or negative sentences.
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Need I help him? (Do you think it necessary for me to help him?)
You need not speak so loudly. (There is no necessity to speak so loudly. Don’t do it, please.)
You needn’t have done it. (There was no necessity to do it. It was pointless or even wrong to do it.)
You needn’t be saying the same thing all over again. (Stop saying the same thing all over again.)
When used as a regular verb “need” has ail the forms of one, including the verbals. The infinitive is used here with the particle “to”. “Need” as a regular verb is found in affirmative, negative or interrogative sentences.
I need to type the article. (It is necessary for me to type the article.)
The article needs to be re-written. (It is necessary to re-write the article.)
Did you need to return on Monday? (Was it necessary for you to return on Monday?)
I don’t need to tell you how important it is. (It is not necessary for me to tell you how important it is.)
I did not need to tell him how important it was. (It was not necessary for me to tell him that. He knew it himself.)
The verb “dare”
The verb “dare” expresses the courage or impertinence of the doer to perform the action.
How dared he say such things in her presence? (Was he brave or impertinent enough to say such things in her presence?)
He didn’t dare to say another word. (He did not have enough courage or impertinence to say another word.)
“Dare” may be used as an irregular (defective) or as a regular verb. When used as an irregular (defective) verb it has two forms: “dare” — present, “dared” — past. The infinitive following the verb “dare” is used without the particle “to”. “Dare” as a defective verb is found in negative or interrogative sentences.
How dare you show your temper to me? (Are you impertinent enough to show your temper to me?)
He dared not return. (He did not have enough courage or impertinence to return.)
When used as a regular verb “dare” has all the forms including the verbals. The infinitive is used here with the particle “to”. “Dare” as a regular verb is mainly found in negative sentences.
He does not dare to oppose her. (He does not have courage enough to oppose her:)
He did not dare to say such things to his elders. (He was not impertinent enough to say such things to his elders.)
123. The verb “shall”
“Shall” when used as a modal verb generally denotes the desirability, willingness of somebody, not the doer, that the event should be performed by the doer.
She shall go there. (The speaker is willing to see to it that she goes there.)
You shall regret it. (The speaker is willing to see to it that you regret it.)
You shall pay a fine. (The “law” wants it.)
Shall I read? (Do you want me to read?)
The verb “shall” has one unchangeable form and is used only with reference to the future. It is always followed by the non-perfect infinitive.
The verbs “should” and “ought”
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The verbs “should” and “ought” are very close in their meaning. They generally express the necessity of the event as the opinion of the speaker (writer) or the speaker’s (writer’s) expectation that the event takes or will take place. The speaker (writer) approves of the event denoted by the notional verb.
You should (ought to) go there. (The speaker considers it necessary for the doer, “you”, to go there, and he approves of it.)
The library should (ought to) be open now. It is not seven o’clock yet. (The speaker considers the event necessary, and he expects that the library is open. He approves of the fact.)
Each of the verbs “should” and “ought” has one unchangeable form. They may be followed by different forms of the infinitive. The meanings of voice, order and aspect are expressed by the infinitive which follows the modal verbs “should” and “ought”.
She should (ought to) visit them more often. (It is necessary for her to do it.)
She should (ought to) still be waiting at the station. (It is expected that she is waiting at the station now.) She should* (ought to) be told about it. (The speaker considers it necessary for her to be told about it.)
She should (ought to) have waited for you a bit longer. (It was necessary for her to wait a bit longer.)
Note:
The perfect infinitive after the verbs “should” and “ought” often indicates that the event, though necessary, was not carried out.
He should (ought to) have helped her. (It was necessary, in the speaker’s opinion, to do so, but it did not happen, contrary to his expectations, and the speaker doesn’t approve of the fact.)
124. The verb “will”
“Will” used as a modal verb generally indicates the desirability of the event, the doer’s willingness or strong determination to perform the action. The verb “will” may also indicate that the event is naturally expected under the circumstances.
I will go there whatever the obstacles. (I am determined to go there.)
I won’t do it. (Do not ask me to do it, it’s useless. I am quite determined not to do it.)
I knew her as a pretty child. She will be a beautiful woman now. (She was pretty as a child and I expect that she is now a beautiful woman.)
He will be there by now. (That is the only thing to be expected under the circumstances as a result of the natural course of events.)
The verb “will” has tense and mood.
Indicative Subjunctive
present tense past tense
will would would
The verb “will” is followed by different forms of the infinitive. The forms of the infinitive express the meaning of voice and order.
I will help you by all means. (I am determined to help you.)
She will have returned by now. (I think she has returned. It is to be expected.)
He was too stubborn and he would do everything the way he wanted. (He was determined to do everything the way he wanted.)
I’d be very glad if you would help me. (I’d be very glad if, by chance, you were willing to help me.)
Look #123.
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