Possibility due to circumstances,

§ You may order a taxi by telephone.

§ He said he might order a taxi by telephone.

might + Perfect Inf. shows that the ac­tion was not carried out:

§ He might have fallen ill if he hadn't taken the medicine.

§ You might have broken the cup. (Ты чуть было не разбил чашку.)

3) request [?], permission [+], prohibition [-]

§ May/might I smoke in here? (might expresses a more polite request)

§ You may smoke in here.

§ You may not smoke in here. (usually can’t or mustn’t)

§ He told me that I might smoke in the room. (sequence of tenses)

4) disapproval or reproach (укор)

§ You might carry the parcel for me.

§ You might have helped me. (non-performed action – мог бы и помочь)

Set phrases with may and might:

a) may/might as well expresses intention.

§ I may as well take the child with me. (Я, пожалуй, возьму ребенка с собой. Пожалуй, будет лучше, если я возьму ребенка с собой.)

 

b) it might have been worse - могло бы быть и хуже, дела обстоят

не так уж плохо.

 

c) he might have been a... – можно было принять за

§ Roy was twenty-eight, large, heavy and blond. He might have been a Scandinavian sailor.

CAN and MAY compared

1) may is used only in [+] sentences, but can is used in all kinds of sentences.

§ He may find this book at the library.

§ He can find this book at the library.

§ Can he find this book at the library?

§ He cannot find this book at the library.

 

2) Cf. May (might) I speak to you for a moment, professor? (more formal)

Can (could) I have a cup of tea. Mother? (colloquial)

 

MUST

 

Must (is never changed in the sequence of tenses) has the following meanings:

 

1) obligation, duty or necessity

§ You must talk to your daughter about her future.

Prohibition,

§ He must not leave his room. (Он не должен /ему нельзя выходить из комнаты)

 

Emphatic advice

§ You must come and see us when you're in London.

§ You must stop worrying about your son.

§ You mustn't miss the film. It is very good.

 

4) supposition with strong probability only in [+] with any Infinitive:

§ He must be ill. He looks so pale. (вероятно, должно быть)

§ The book is not on the shelf. Jane must be reading it.

§ He must be over fifty.

§ He must have finished his work. It is already six o'clock.

§ It must have been raining all the night. There are big pud­dles.

Note: to express negative supposition the following means are used:

§ He must have failed to meet her.

§ He must have misunderstood you.

§ He must never have guessed the truth.

 

Set phrases with must:

a) must needs

§ He must needs go there. (Он непременно должен пойти туда.)

 

b) I must be going and I must be off - Мне пора уходить

 

MUST and MAY compared

1)	may	expresses supposition	with uncertainty
	must	expresses supposition	with strong probability

Cf. He may be an actor. His face seems so familiar.

He must be an actor. His voice carries so well.

 

2) prohibition in negative sentences:

§ " May I smoke here?" "No, you mustn't (you can't)."

 

EXERCISES:

 

Ex. 61. Make the following sentences containing may more polite or less categorical:

1. May I ask you a question? 2. She gave a shrug of impatience. "This affair may well fade into nothing." 3. I heard Arthur make a slight noise which may have been a sigh or a chuckle. 4. My main task is to find out why he killed himself. It may all be terribly simple. He may have done it because of his wife. 5. She may not find it all that easy to get a job. 6. May I have a taxi called? 7. You're welcome to come with me. You may notice things that I miss. 8. On the last evening my mother and I sat together in the draw­ing-room. It was our one formal room and I think my mother may have chosen it for its moral effect.

Ex. 62. Use the required form of the infinitive after may (might) in the following sentences:

1. On the whole there was less said than might (to expect). 2. Don't turn on the light. This fellow may (to lurk) outside the house door. 3. You've acquired a great-deal of experience. You might (to write) a book. 4. There was no sign of John in the street. Of course, I said to myself, he might (to detain) at his office. 5. "Who said Mr Sorrel had gone to America?" "He might (to tell) it himself." 6. Strickland is very ill. He may (to die). 7. Jack had the feeling that Maurice might one day (to break) down. 8. But what you tell me may not (to be) true. 9. I was deeply shocked and worried. "It is no easy matter to find the man," the doctor said to me. He might (to read) my thoughts. 10. He may not (to want) to become a publisher in the first place, but once he had taken it up the profession had appeared to absorb all his interests. 11. Mr Fox said something about it once, but I might not (to understand) him properly. 12. "Then why on earth all this secrecy?" "One never knows who may (to listen). "

 

Ex. 63. Translate the following sentences into English using may in all of its possible meanings:

1. Ты был не так уж сильно занят. Ты мог бы нам помочь. 2. Спроси его, можно ли нам осмотреть лабораторию. 3. Он мог бы сделать это для вас. Ему это совсем не трудно. 4. Он чуть не разбил окно. 5. Она, возможно, опоздает. 6. Они, возможно, работают над этой же проблемой. 7. К вечеру может пойти дождь. 8. Их, возможно, не было вчера в городе. 9. Я подумал, что если его часы были там, то и деньги могли оказаться там же. 10. Я согласен, что разрешить Питеру поехать за границу, воз­можно, было ошибкой. Но я думал, что это, может быть, вернет его к работе. 11. Я, может быть, не упоминал об этом в своих письмах, но я проделал там довольно большую работу. 12. Не увидев ни своего отца, ни мальчика, Мегги подумала, что они, быть может, переставляют книги на полках. 13. Вы, возможно, слышали его имя. 14. Мне пришло в голову, что он втайне гордился сыном, хотя он, быть может, и не осознавал этого. 15. У него большая семья. Я могу себе представить, что он, возможно, ищет себе работу получше. 16. Мне казалось, что гроза может разразиться в любой мо­мент. 17. Она не была шведкой, но ее можно было принять за шведку. 18. Может быть, он сейчас в гостинице и ждет меня. 19. Я чуть не опоздал на последний автобус. 20. Они, возможно, подумали, что мы не придем в такой дождь.

 

Ex. 64. То practise may, make up situations of your own using the following patterns:

1. может быть (возможно), он...

Не may come yet.

Не may be reading in his room.

He may have forgotten about it.

He may have been expecting a letter from them.

2. может быть (возможно), он не...

Не may not be in now.

He may not have heard from his family yet.

3. он чуть не...

He might have fallen.

4. я, пожалуй,...

I may as well give you a lift.

I might as well give you a lift.

5. пожалуй, лучше...

If your mother has made up her mind, my dear, you may (might) just as well give in without any fuss.

6. можно было бы принять за...

From afar the house might have been taken for a small inn.

7. могло бы быть и...

Charles came out of the examination room. "How did you get on?" I asked. "It might have been worse, I suppose," he said.

 

Ex. 65. Revision: fill in the blanks with can (could) or may (might):

1. When they told me I was cured and... go, I … tell you I was more afraid than glad. 2. His letter … have given them the idea. 3. His knee touched the bottom. He crawled further and at last lay full length on the pebbles. He now felt so tired he … not under­stand how a moment ago he... have been capable of swimming. 4. You've done me a great service. I knew I … trust you. 5. Her mother said she … play with me if she wished. 6. He's a nice boy. I'm glad you brought him out here. We … have some fun. 7. He looked at the lighted window of the cottage. He... see into a kitchen where two women were sitting by the table drinking tea. 8. She has attractive eyes. There's something about them that holds you. She … have been pretty once. 9. When he married her she … not have been more than sixteen. 10. He boasted and told the most extraordinary stories which I'm sure … not possibly have been true. 11. She ... not think what he was doing. Something … have hap­pened to him. 12. You … not have proved that I wrote the letter because I didn't. 13. It never occurred to me that I … get measles. 14. I was just going to tell you — because of the storm I … not be home tonight. 15. That is exactly what he did say. But I won't talk any more about it. He … not have been himself. 16. "To my mind she is a beautiful woman," "Well, yes. But I don't see what you … have found to say to her." 17. He hurled the heavy thing down the stairs. It made an extraor­dinary noise in its descent and woke Joe sleeping in his pram. The only thing I... say to that was: "You... have killed Joe." 18. "I see one of my statuettes has been broken." "I... not think what... have happened to it." 19. He thought it likely that Blair... have got away unnoticed. 20. It was dark and I... only see the glimmer of his face. 21. You have acted very irresponsibly and you... find yourself m serious trouble. 22. After all we don't even know if your sister is proposing to stay in London. She... be just passing through on her way to somewhere else. 23. One... not get anything done nowadays. 24. "Come inside in front of the fire where you... warm up," she said quickly. 25. But I really feel that the late Mr Evans... not have been a nice man. 26. Listen, I know I... be making a fool of myself, but then again, I... be not. 27. I confessed that I... not swim unless somebody held me. 28. She was smartly, quietly dressed, and... have been taken for a clever business woman. 29. It was one of those days when nobody... tell whether it was going to rain. 30. I was driving along when I spotted a telephone box and thought I... as well give you a call. 31. Jeff said, "Why on earth did Ken say he shot that dog? He... not possibly have done it." 32. I don't know why he did it. He lost his wife lately. That... have been it. 33. "Aunt Mary said she hadn't seen him." "She... have been lying. Perhaps your father asked her to say he wasn't there." 34. I'm tired of listening to him tell me why it... not be done. 35.... I ask then, Mr Morley, what you were doing there? 36. I wished to be rid of my companion, and said, "Thank you. I... look after myself now." 37. I thought you'd be staying in town for a night at least; and we... have had a dinner and theatre. 38. We shall require, Mr Grey, to have a copy of this story. How soon... you provide this? 39. Mrs Castle looks familiar to me. Where... I have met her?

 

Ex. 66. Revision: translate the following sentences into English using can (could) and may (might):

1. Возможно, будет дождь. 2. Возможно, дождя не будет. 3. Не может быть, чтобы пошел дождь. 4. Неужели будет дождь? 5. Может быть, он уже видел их. 6. Может быть, он и не видел их. 7. Не может быть, чтобы он видел их. 8. Просто не может быть, чтобы он видел их. 9. Неужели он видел их? 10. Где он мог их видеть? 11. Возможно, они ждут нас. 12. Возможно, они не ждут нас. 13. Не может быть, чтобы они ждали нас. 14. Неужели они ждут нас? 15. Кого же они могут ждать? 16. Не может быть, чтобы они ждали нас. 17. Я, пожалуй, пойду. 18. Я, пожалуй, лучше останусь дома. 19. Я чуть не потерял ключи. 20. Все могло бы быть гораздо хуже. 21. Погода — хуже некуда. 22. Мне ничего не оставалось делать, как остаться с ними. 23. Я не мог не согласиться с ними. 24. Мне это совершенно безразлично.

 

Ex. 67. Notice the use of must in reported speech in the following sen­tences and translate them into Russian:

1. He was white and frightened and ready to weep as she told him that he must go. 2. Because a thing like coal had once been profitable they thought it must always be profitable. 3. She had already decided that she must show the letter to Alan. 4. The way she spoke made me think that she must be very much in love. 5. He asked where I had picked up such a word. I realized that it must have been a wrong word, but I had read it in some book and liked its sound.

 

Ex. 68. Use the required form of the infinitive after must:

1. Both sisters must (to be) ashamed of having spoken as they had in front of a third person. 2. Fred knew that the girl's father was a draper and had four assistants. "He must (to do) well," he said to her. "He doesn't complain," said the girl. 3. The night porter was very good-looking and it must (to take) him a half-hour to comb his hair into such shining black perfection. 4. "You must (to be) right," I said. 5. They must (to hear) that the fellow was in London. 6. But at last he rose realizing dully that he had work which he must (to do). 7. He had a faint feeling of satisfaction in the thought that Mait must (to wonder) why they had gone off together. 8. I must (to sit) there for a quarter of an hour waiting and thinking about it before I saw the letter. 9. "His relatives do not think so." "Then they must (to be) a lot of damned fools." 10. Mrs Cromwell took us round the yacht. There was no doubt that it must (to cost) her a lot of money. 11. He had said that he himself was an admirer of Stendahl. This must (to influence) him in making his decision. 12. At half past two I heard Hudson grunt, put down his book and switch out the light. He must (to read) since midnight. 13. "I must (to get) old," she said, "to be talking like that." 14. There were a lot of mirrors that must (to buy) at the sale of some old restaurant. 15. When I jumped up the thing fell off my knee. It must (to tie) there yet.

 

Ex. 69. Translate the following sentences into English using must in all of its meanings:

1. Я должен много работать эту неделю. 2. Марта ведь видела их. Она, должно быть, сказала вам об этом. 3. Он должен попасть туда до восьми часов. 4. Она разожгла камин и сказала: «Ну, садись же. Ты, навер­ное, закоченел». 5. Я должна еще перемыть все стаканы. 6. Отойдя от двери, Джон заметил, что стоит на письме, кото­рое лежало на половике. Оно, по-видимому, было доставле­но спустя некоторое время после его возвращения. 7. «Мы будем рано пить чай, — сказала Кэт. — Ты, наверное, умираешь с голоду». 8. «А, это ты!» — сказал он, взглянув на меня с удивлением. Он, должно быть, забыл, как меня зовут. 9. Я не видел Джима, но знал, что он, вероятно, ждет меня где-то здесь. 10. Я подождал с полчаса, и когда я уже думал, что что-то, должно быть, случилось с Китти, она приехала на такси. 11. Она такая бледная. Наверное, она была больна. 12. Я должен написать им сегодня же. 13. Я должен для него что-нибудь сделать, — подумал Джек. 14. «Филипп, в твоей книжке было какое-то письмо». — «Раз­ве?» — «Ты, наверное, забыл о нем».

 

Ex. 70. Remembering that must in the meaning of probability is not used either with reference to the future or in the negative form. Find a suit­able way of translating the following sentences into English:

1. Я не хочу сдавать экзамены. Меня, вероятно, не будет в Лондоне в это время. 2. Наверное, в его распоряжении никогда раньше не было так много денег. 3. Мартин стоял по другую сторону камина. Я подумал, что он, вероятно, не слышал их слов. 4. Он, должно быть, не сумел уговорить его поехать с нами. 5. У него, очевидно, пока просто не нашлось времени для вас. 6. Они, наверное, не встретили его на станции. 7. Я терпел это так долго, потому что думал, что она меня по-своему любит. Но она, вероятно, никогда не любила меня. 8. Преподаватель, видимо, по ошибке не упомянул твоей фа­милии. 9. Она, должно быть, не знает, что вы здесь. 10. Они, вероятно, не видели ее с лета. 11. Могу я поговорить с тобой завтра утром?» — «Я, навер­ное, буду занят утром». 12. Он, вероятно, не захочет говорить по-английски. 13. Дома, наверное, нет никого сейчас. 14. «Кто этот старик?» - «Новый президент компании». - «Ты шутишь». - «Я не шучу. Ты, должно быть, не читал газет».

 

Ех. 71. То practise must, make up situations of your own using the fol­lowing patterns:

1. должно быть, он...

Не must be ill.

He must be staying the night in town.

He must have lost it.

He must have been working since breakfast.

2. он, должно быть (наверное), будет...

Не probably will be there tomorrow.

3. он, должно быть, не...

Не must never have been poor.

He must have misunderstood you.

He must have failed to get the boots.

He cannot have read the book.

4. нельзя...

You mustn't make so much noise.

Close the door. The children mustn't hear what you are saying.

5. пора уходить...

I must be off.

I must be going.

 

Ex. 72. Revision: translate the following sentences into English using can, may or must wherever possible:

1. Они должны действовать, как им сказали. 2. Я думаю, мне надо надеть другие туфли на вечеринку. 3. Я не могу уйти, не расплатившись. 4. Они должны вернуть все деньги. 5. Ты мог бы им позвонить и сказать, что не придешь. 6. Я так хотел есть, что чуть не съел всего цыпленка сразу. 7. «Мне взять зонт?» — «Да, похоже, что будет дождь». 8. Тебе удалось закончить работу? 9. Ситуация — хуже не придумаешь. 10. Ты не мог бы прийти немного позже? 11. Неужели ты сам это написал? 12. Со мной этого не может случиться. 13. Я перебрал в уме все возможные случаи, когда я мог бы с ним познакомиться. 14. Может быть, он не захотел выступить. 15. Она никогда не рассказывала о своем детстве, и на то, по-видимому, была какая-то причина. 16. Но я просто не могу идти дальше. 17. «Он может отдохнуть в моем кабинете», - сказал м-р Болт. 18. Нора отвела сына в свою комнату. Мне было слышно, как они там разговаривали. 19. «Не нужно преуменьшать опасность», - сказал он. 20. Я смогу написать им завтра. 21. Никто не смог бы сделать больше, чем сделал ты. 22. Ник был таким сыном, которым мог бы гордиться любой родитель. 23. Я думаю, что он влюбился в вас потому, что никогда, дол­жно быть, еще не встречал никого похожего на вас. 24. Я думаю, что не буду никуда выходить сегодня. В такую погоду я, пожалуй, лучше посижу в кресле у камина. 25. Право же, ты мог бы что-нибудь сделать с этим. 26. В конце концов, нельзя не восхищаться человеком с таки­ми высокими принципами. 27. Ты можешь делать все, что хочешь. 28. «Я не вижу, что еще я мог бы тогда сделать», — сказал он. 29. Его мать опять в больнице. Она, должно быть, серьезно больна. 30. Среди них не было никого, к кому бы я мог обратиться за помощью. 31. Я не понимаю, как ты мог вести себя так глупо. 32. Я невольно подумал, что мисс Грей выдала себя этими словами. 33. Он двигался так тихо, что не мог бы побеспокоить сон само­го чуткого человека. 34. Где мои очки? Здесь их нет. Должно быть, я оставил их дома. 35. Я должен оставаться здесь весь день? 36. Он спросил, может ли он положиться на меня. 37. Он спросил, не могу ли я позаниматься с его классом на следующем уроке. 38. Когда ребенок так болен, вы, должно быть, чувствуете себя ужасно. 39. Вы должны найти его и привезти сюда со всеми его матери­алами. 40. «Это, наверное, совсем не похоже на ваш дом»,— сказал Барт. 41. Я сказал, что он может взять мою машину. 42. Мне это совершенно безразлично. 43. Она понимала, что он должен чувствовать. 44. Он не может быть старше вас больше чем на три или четыре года. 45. Погода еще может измениться к лучшему. 46. Не может быть, чтобы она этого не знала. 47. В понедельник я еще не смогу дать вам определенный ответ. 48. Возможно, они еще не приехали. 49. Возможно, они еще ведут следствие по этому делу. 50. Возможно, они были на вечере, но я их не видел. 51. И кто это мог зажечь свет в моей комнате? 52. Отец очень сердит. Что ты опять натворил? 53. Уже совсем темно. Я, наверное, очень долго спал. 54. Он, вероятно, скоро позвонит нам. 55. Неужели он велел вам прийти сюда? 56. «Где мой ключ?» — «Ты, наверное, его потерял». «Не может быть, чтобы я его потерял. Я, возможно, оставил его в кармане пальто».

 

Ex. 73. Revision: fill in the blanks with can, (be able), may or must:

1. "Will you know where to go?" "Yes, thank you. I... always ask my brother." 2. "Didn't she hear our shouting?" "She says she heard nothing." "She... have wandered a long way." 3. What... he have meant when he said it? 4. He hesitated and said, "I... go to South America. As a tea planter." I said, "I... be wrong, Jason, but I don't think they grow tea in South America." 5. He... have flown off after he dropped us. He... not land here. Not in a plane with wheels. 6. "I'd give anything to meet that fellow." "We... see what... be done." 7. Cindy... have laughed aloud. Instead, she nodded. 8. You... hardly have been more surprised than I was. 9. The old man cupped his ear in his palm. "1 think I... be getting deaf. I... not hear you." 10. "There was someone on the phone for you," he said. "Oh, who?" "I don't know, he didn't say. Some man." "It... have been Mike." "I know Mike. It wasn't Mike." "Oh. Then I... not think who it... have been." 11. Mr Fox... not come. He sent me to represent him. 12. I went straight from the station to the club and played bil­liards. It... have been after eleven when I reached the flat. 13. Oh, you... drink things steaming!... you eat eggs with the shells on, too? 14. She was beginning to want to ask him in but she knew that she... not do it yet. 15. It's a most interesting story. He... not possibly have invented it. You... have told him something. 16. I've other things to attend to which... be put through immedi­ately. 17. I admire your mother's looks. She... have been a lovely girl. 18. The apples are very good. You... eat them all. 19. My wife... leave the hospital in a week's time. 20. My wife... to leave the hospital a few days ago. 21. I'm trying to think where he... have gone. 22. Of course it occurred to me that if he had found the watch as he said, it... have been lying in the garden for more than a year. 23. He began absently to eat one of the buttered biscuits. He'd lose his appetite if his wife didn't hurry up. She... be talking to Frau Schmidt. 24. A day or two later Mrs Strickland sent me a note asking if I... go and see her that evening after dinner. 25. "I don't know why he did it." "It... have amused him." 26. "You know, I'm a bit of a writer myself in a small way." "What are you writing? A novel?" "Oh, come off it. I... not write a novel. No, it's a sort of history of the regiment, as a matter of fact." 27. "He's up in Barbie's room. He's decorating it with shells. He... have brought in a ton." 28. "She's gone out. Something awful... have happened." "How... she have got out? The door is locked." 29. I'm going to tell him that he... not do any building here. 30. They say the driver... have been going fifty miles round that blind corner for the body to have been thrown and injured like it was. 31. She looked unusually pale and gloomy. I wondered what... have upset her. 32. "... you drive a car, Molly?" "Yes, indeed I...," he answered. 33. You... be very prosperous, Eustace, to own a car like that. 34. Obviously Haviland had worked late the night before, as he... have done for several nights in a row, because he looked drawn and pale. 35. The water of the pool... have been heated for it steamed gently in the beams of the lamps. 36. Mr Hardy takes a lot of aspirin. He... have had at least twelve tablets during the day. 37. The man danced very well. He... have spent hours taking lessons, Jack thought. 38. "At least I want to keep my mind occupied." "You... get a good book and read it." 39. We... not exaggerate the situation. 40. "I thought the English were great lovers of dogs." "We think Americans love dollars, but there... be exceptions."

 

UNIT 12

HAVE TO

Have to expresses obligation or neces­sity (npuxoдится, вынужден) when it is used in modal function. To have to in modal function can have all finite forms (interrogative and negative with do) and is combined only with simple infinitive:

§ He is an invalid and has to have a nurse. (npuxoдится, вынужден)

§ She knew what she had to do. (нужно)

§ I've been having to spend some time with people. (нужно)

§ Having to work alone, he wanted all his time for research. (будучи вынужденным)

§ Why do I have to do everything?

§ He did not have to tell me that he already knew.

In negative sentences:

 

to have to	means	absence of necessity	(не нужно)
must	prohibi­tion	(нельзя)

 

§ You don't have to go there. (Вам не нужно/нет необходимо­сти идти туда.)

§ You mustn't go there. (Вам нельзя идти туда.)

In spoken English have to = have got to:

§ Has he got to go right now?

§ He hasn't got to go just yet.

Note: the set phrase had better followed by infinitive without to.

§ We'd better take shelter. (Нам лучше укрыться.)

§ They had better not play cards when the guest might come in at any moment.

 

BE TO

Be to in modal function is used in present and past and has the following meanings:

 

1) a previously arranged plan or obligation due to arrangement:

§ We are to discuss it next time. (предстоит)

§ We were to discuss it the following week. (предстоит)

§ Is he to arrive tomorrow? (должен)

§ Who was to speak at the meeting? (предстоит, должен)

was/were to + Perf. Inf denotes an unfulfilled plan:

§ We were to have played a duet together. (предстояло, должны были)

2) orders and instructions, often official (frequently in report­ed speech):

§ Norman says I am to leave him alone. (должен)

§ All junior officers are to report to the colonel at once. (должны)

3) somethingthat is destined [¢destind] to happen (= суждено, неизбежно):

§ He did not know that he was never to see his na­tive place again. (предстояло)

§ She was to be his wife. (предстояло стать)

4) possibility (= can or may):

§ Her father was often to be seen in the bar. (= might be seen)

§ Nothing was to be done under the circumstances. (= could be done)

Note the following set phrases:

§ What am I to do? (Что мне делать? Как мне быть?)

§ What is to become of me? (Что со мной станется? Что со мной будет?)

§ Where am I to go? (Куда же мне идти? Куда же мне деваться?)

were to + infinitive for all per­sons is found in conditional clauses where it is structurally depen­dent.

§ If he were to come again I should not receive him. (вздумает)