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Ильченко

4) Значения английских модальных глаголов

При переводе предложений с модальными глаголами трудности возникают из-за многообразия их значений в различных функциях. Некоторые глаголы могут выполнять несколько функций:

  1. вспомогательный глагол:

  1. модальный глагол – can, could, may, might, must, need, ought to, should, shall, will, would, have to, be to, dare;

  2. эмоционально-усилительная функция – should.

4.1. CAN

Значение

Пример

1

Ability

  • general ability

“Now, you pray, Harold,” she said. “I can’t”, said Krebs.

  • capability

We can discuss your paper after lunch.

2

Theoretical Possibility

  • general possibility

Anybody who wants to canbecomea prison visitor.

  • possibility due to circumstances

Canweusethe indefinite article with this noun?

  • occasional possibility

The Strait of Dover canbevery rough.

  • disbelief

She canhardlybe expectedto perform any serious function

  • uncertainty / doubt

Canhebe makinginvestigation all alone?

3

Improbability

She can’thave been waitingfor us so long.

4

Permission

  • asking for / granting / refusing

CanIcomeandseeyour pictures? / Of course, youcan. / Of course, youcan’t.

5

Opportunity

It’s the only occupation where you canbe absolutely undistinguished and still flatter yourself a bit.

4.2. COULD

Значение

Пример

1

Ability

  • general ability

The boy couldreadbefore he went to school.

  • capability

He could read a great deal during the holidays.

  • particular ability

Simon was so tired that he couldn’t openthe door.

2

Theoretical Possibility

  • possibility / impossibility due to circumstances

You couldseethe forest through the other window before the new block of houses was erected.

  • general possibility

Anyone couldcomeandaskhim for help.

  • occasional possibility

My grandmother couldbe very unpleasantat times.

  • uncertainty / doubt

Couldshehave been waitingfor us so long?

  • improbability

You couldn’tbe hungry. You’ve just had dinner.

3

Opportunity

You couldhave founda more ingenious excuse.

4

Permission

  • asking for

CouldIborrow$100?

  • general permission

On Sundays we couldstay uplate.

4.3. MAY

Значение

Пример

1

Permission

  • asking for

Now mayIgo?

  • granting

You maysmokein here.

  • refusing

Members may notbringmore than two visitors into the club.

2

Possibility

  • ‘chance’ possibility (=possibly)

I wonder how Tom knew about Ann’s engagement? – He may have heardit from Jack.

  • possibility due to circumstances

Time adverbs may comeat either the end of the sentence, but not in the middle.

  • supposition implying uncertainty

He may be busygetting ready for his trip.

  • reluctance

I may as well takethe child with me.

4.4. MIGHT

Значение

Пример

1

Permission

  • asking for

MightIspeakto him now?

2

Possibility

  • ‘chance’ possibility (= possibly)

He came home alone. You shouldn’t have let him do that; he might have got lost.

  • possibility due to circumstances

It’s too late to phone him now. He might be sleeping.

  • supposition implying uncertainty

He might be doing his lessons now.

  • reluctance

“I’ll go at six.” “That’s far too late; you might

just as well not go at all.”

4.5. MUST

Значение

Пример

1

Speaker’s / external authority

    • obligation

I must remindyou that you are giving a presentation tomorrow.

    • self-imposed duty

I must seeif I can find you something.

    • necessity

You must leaveher out of it.

    • instructions

A trailer must havetwo rear lamps.

    • order

Staff must be at their desks by 9.00.

    • emphatic advice

You must come and see us when you are in London.

    • prohibition

Staff mustn’t smokewhen serving customers.

    • deduction

He has a house in London and another in Paris, so he must be rich.

4.6. NEED

Значение

Пример

1

Necessity (speaker’s authority)

    • absence of necessity

You needn’t maketwo copies. One will do.

    • advice

You needn’t worry. Everything will be OK.

4.7. OUGHT TO

Значение

Пример

1

Obligation (neither speaker’s authority or external authority)

    • advisability

You ought to readthis book. It’s very good.

    • desirability

You ought to saya word or two about yourself.

    • duty

You ought to feelsome respect for your elders.

    • appropriateness

At your age you ought to be earningyour living.

2

Deduction

    • flattery

You ought to be very pleased, oughtn’t you?

    • assumption

The plane ought to be taking offin a minute.

    • deduction

The new sanatorium ought to be very comfortable.

    • criticism

You’re paler than you ought to be.

4.8. SHOULD

Значение

Пример

1

Obligation (neither speaker’s authority or external authority)

    • advisability

You shouldn’t feelunhappy over such trifles.

    • desirability

He looks very ill. He should have stayedat home.

    • duty

You should send inaccurate income tax returns.

    • appropriateness

You should havesomething better to do with your time.

    • instruction

You should usethe definite article in this sentence.

2

Deduction

    • deduction

The film should be very goodas it’s starring first-class actors.

    • assumption

He should have finishedthe translation by now.

3

Emotional use

    • rhetorical questions

Why shouldn’t you invite him?

    • object clauses beginning

with Why

I don’t see why we should make friends.

    • attributive clauses

beginning with Whyafter the nounreason

There’s no reason why they shouldn’t get on very well together.

    • constructions and set

phrases

Who should come in but his first wife!

    • subjunctive mood

She was terrified lest they should go on talking about her.

4.9. SHALL

Значение

Пример

1

Prediction

I shall come intohis money in time.

2

Volition (speaker’s authority)

    • promise

You shall havemy answer tomorrow.

    • intention

I shall marryFrancis whatever happens.

    • threat

‘You shall stayjust where you are!’ his mother cried angrily.

    • warning

You shan’t findit easy to accept.

    • offer

ShallIcarrythat for you?

    • suggestion

Shallwetellhim?

    • instruction

Members shall enterthe names of their guests in the book provided.

    • request for advice

Which one shallIbuy?

4.10. WILL / WOULD

Значение

Пример

1

Prediction

    • pure future

He knows he will be late. / He knew hewould be late.

    • present predictive

He’ll have finished his supper by now. / Whowouldthatbe?

    • habitual predictive

An Englishman willusuallyshowyou the way in the street. / On Sundays hewouldgetupearly andgo fishing.

2

Volition

    • willingness

I’ll have a sherry, please.

    • invitation

Willyouhave a drink? / Whatwouldyoulike to drink?

    • intention

He wouldn’t helpme yesterday. / I keep asking him for help but hewon’t helpme.

    • insistence

If you will keepyour watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for your appointments. / We all tried to stop him smoking in bed but hewould do it.

3

Informal use expressing a characteristic action (would)

Bill objected. – He would!

4

Assumption (will)

That will be Ann.

4.11. HAVE TO

Значение

Пример

1

Obligation (external authority)

I have to wipemy feet every time I come in his room.

2

Necessity (external authority)

I don’t have to worka full day on Saturday.

3

Deduction

I wonder who took the money. – It had to beTom. He’s the only one who was there.

4

Emphatic use

One has only to readthe business journal to see the real origin of this war.

4.12. BE TO

Значение

Пример

1

Obligation/necessity (external authority)

    • order

He is to stayhere till we return.

    • plan

We were to discussit the following week.

    • instruction

All junior officers are to reportto the colonel at once.

2

Possibility (rare)

Nothing was to be doneunder the circumstances.

3

Something that is destined to happen

He didn’t know at that time that he was never to see his native place again.

4.13. BE ABLE TO

Значение

Пример

1

Possibility

I have never been ableto understandhim.

4.14. DARE

Значение

Пример

1

Volition

Howdareshecomehere?