May and MightMay and might иногда имеют очень близкое значение – вероятность совершения действия в настоящем, будущем или прошлом. (Could иногда используется также). May выражает большую вероятность (50%); might – меньшую (30%). Вероятность (в будущем / настоящем; с неопределенностью) She may be back in her office: the lecture was over ten minutes ago. I may go shopping tonight, I haven’t decided yet. England might win the World Cup, you never know. Вероятность (в прошлом) I'm surprised he failed. I suppose he might have been ill on the day of the exam. Разрешение (официально) Students may not borrow equipment without written permission. May I open a window? В разговорной речи – Is it all right/OK if I open a window? или Can I open a window? May Вероятность того, что может произойти в определенной ситуации If used in poorly lit places, some users may experience headaches. Each nurse may be responsible for up to twenty patients. В значении although (хотя) The experiment may have been a success, but there is still a lot of work to be done. (= Although it was a success, there is still...) Might Что-то было возможно, но не произошло You saw me standing at the bus stop! You might have stopped and given me a lift! Would Во временной форме Future in the Past He said the next meeting would be in a month's time. The assassination would become one of the key events of the century. Вежливое предложение или просьба (более вежливое, чем с will) Would you like another cup of tea? Would you give me a ring after lunch? I'd like the roast duck, please. В нереальных условных предложениях If I ruled the world, every day would be the first day of Spring. It would have been better if you'd word processed your assignment. После wish I wish you wouldn't keep interrupting me. I wish it would snow. В значении used to (повторяющееся действие в прошлом) When I was small, we would always visit relatives on Christmas Day. Can and Could Мочь, быть в состоянии Can you speak Mandarin? (present) She could play the piano when she was five. (past) Просьба Can you give me a ring at about 10? Could you speak up a bit, please? (несколько официальнее, вежливее или мягче)
Разрешение Can I ask you a question? Could I ask you a personal question? (несколько официальнее, вежливее или мягче) В косвенной речи He asked me if I could pick him up after work. Возможность You can drive when you're 17. Women couldn't vote until just after the First World War. Выбор и возможности If you want some help with your writing, you can come to classes, or you can get some 1:1 help. We could go to Stratford tomorrow, but the forecast's not brilliant. (менее определенно) Возможность в будущем Could (не can) иногда используется как might или may, иногда выражая большую неопределенность. When I leave university, I might travel around a bit, I might do an MA or I suppose I could even get a job. Возможность в настоящем I think you could be right, you know. (NOT can) That can't be the right answer, it just doesn't make sense. Возможность в прошлом If I'd known the lecture had been cancelled, I could have stayed in bed longer. Must Необходимость, обязанность (часто с личной точки зрения) I really must get some exercise. People must try to be more tolerant of each other. If you own a car, you have to pay an annual road tax. Настоятельный совет или приглашение I think you really must make more of an effort. You must go and see the film – it's brilliant. You must come and see me next time you're in town. Уверенное предположение This must be the place – there's a white car parked outside. You must be mad. What a suntan! You must have had great weather. Отрицание выражается при помощи can't: You're going to sell your guitar! You can't be serious! She didn't wave – she can't have seen me. Should Совет I think you should go for the Alfa rather than the Audi. You shouldn't be drinking if you're on antibiotics. You shouldn't have ordered that chocolate dessert – you're not going to finish it. Обязанность (слабее, чем must) The university should provide more sports facilities. The equipment should be inspected regularly. Умозаключение The letter should get to you tomorrow – I posted it first class. Упрек (с перфектным инфинитивом) I should have renewed my TV license last month, but I forgot. You shouldn't have spent so much time on that first question.
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