1. Не может быть, чтобы он забыл о вашем дне рождения
2. Она не умеет говорить ни по-немецки, ни по-французски
3. Не могли бы вы мне помочь перевести этот текст?
4. Неужели ты не можешь найти такси?
Не может быть, чтобы ты очень старался
5. Сейчас нельзя переходить улицу. Разве вы не видите красный свет?
6. Как ты можешь быть таким самоуверенным? Неужели ты думаешь, что можешь получить главную роль в фильме?
7. Кто же мог быть в доме в половине десятого утра? Если это была не Нора, кто ещё это мог быть?
8. «Почему ты не можешь оставить меня в покое?» - спросила она раздражённо
9. Из окна можно было видеть реку и горы вдали
10. «Можно ли мне сдать сочинение завтра?» - спросил Том
11. Неужели она не отправила письмо?
12. Неужели он пишет доклад уже неделю?
13. Не может быть, чтобы она подслушивала у двери, когда вы разговаривали
14. Мы могли бы обсудить наши планы на лето на следующей неделе
15. Неужели ему не удалось заказать номер в гостинице?
16. Эту книгу можно купить в любом магазине
17. Не может быть, чтобы он все ещё работал, уже полночь
18. Она не могла написать статью за час: статья очень длинная
19. Где бы мы могли пообедать?
20. «Чем я могу вам помочь?» - спросил он
21. Вы можете прийти завтра, если хотите
22. Здесь нельзя курить. На третьем этаже есть комната для курения
23. Не могли бы вы объяснить, что там произошло?
Memorize the following proverbs and sayings and use them in a situation of your own.
1. You can take a horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink. Не всё можно сделать силой.
2. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Никогда не откладывай на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня.
3. A man can do no more than he can. Выше головы не прыгнешь.
4. What can’t be cured must be endured. Приходится мириться с тем, чего нельзя исправить.
MAY
| Meaning | Forms of the modal verb | Ways of rendering in Russian | Forms of the Infinitive | Kinds of sentences | Some other ways of expressing the same meaning | Sentence patterns |
| 1.a)Permi-ssion b) Request c) Prohibition | a)May –the present tense b) Might – the past tense a) May – the present tense b) Might – the past tense c) Might– Subjunctive II May not | можешь, можете можно, может не могли бы вы не смей, нельзя, ни в коем случае | The Indefinite Infinitive Indefinite Infinitive Indefinite Infinitive | affirmative interrogative negative | to be allowed, to be permitted | a) I have got two historical novels. So you may take one of them. b)Mother said you might takesome oranges. a)MayI see him in the hospital on Tuesday? b) He asked me if he might rest for an hour. c) MightI spendthe week-end with you? - May I have a look at the picture? - No, you may not.I don’t want you to. |
| 2.Possibili-ty due to circumstances | a)May –the present tense b) Might– the past tense | можешь, могли | Indefinite Infinitive | affirmative | a) Let’s meet at 5 o’clock at the post-office if the place and time are convenient to everybody. We may get there by bus. b) He said he might getto work by the Metro. | |
| 3.Unreality | Might – Subjunctive II | мог бы, могли бы | Perfect Infinitive | affirmative | If he had arrived an hour earlier, hemight have hada good night’s rest. Luckily I didn’t join them in their walk. It was very windy and I might have caughta cold. | |
| 4.Disappro-val or reproach | Might – Subjunctive II | мог бы, могли бы | Indefinite Infinitive. Perfect Infinitive | affirmative | Your child is shivering with cold. You might be more attentive to him. Tell him to put on his jacket. You answered his invitation with a cold refusal. You might have invitedme to this lecture. | |
| 5.Supposi- tion implying doubt uncertainty | May/Might | возмож-но, может быть | Indefinite Infinitive Continuous Infinitive Perfect Infinitive Perfect Continuous Infinitive | affirmative negative | perhaps, may be | She looks pale. Shemay (might) be ill,but I think shemay (might) not have a high temperature. I think the doctor may (might) be examining the patient now. Nick is missing today. He may (might) have been taken ill. She may have been staying in bed for a week. |
Notes:
1. He might have fallen. Он чуть не …
2. I may as well give you a lift. I might as well give you a lift. Я, пожалуй, …
3. If your mother has made up her mind, my dear, you may (might) just as well give in without any fuss. Пожалуй, лучше …
4.From afar he house might have been taken for a small inn. Можно было бы принять за…
5. Charles came out of the examination room. “How did you get on?” I asked. “It might have been worse, I suppose,” he said. Могло бы быть и …
1. Determine the meaning of the modal verb “may”. Translate the sentences into Russian.
1. May I ask what you intend to do?
2. “I may have one or two people coming in tomorrow evening,” she said. “Why not join us?”
3. Fashions change so quickly nowadays: they may have altered by the time you get upstairs.
4. He looked embarrassed, and it occurred to me that he might have been listening at the door.
5. You might be more considerate to your parents who always think of your well-being.
6. He asked if he might bring his younger brother to the party.
7. You might have told us that the dog was dangerous.
8. I’m sure the film will be dull – we might just well stay at home.
9. Whatever else I may be, I am not a fool.
10. I can’t say I remember noticing the box - but, of course, it may have been there all the time.
11. “Okay,” Vivian said, “I might be a little late but not much.
12. “You may come tomorrow a little later”, she said graciously.
13. I am certain she did not want to snub you4 she may not have seen you in the crowd.
14. You may not go boating – it’s too windy.
15. You may call me Dolly if you like, but you mustn’t call me child.
16. Don’t worry; the telegramme, may come tomorrow.
17. Charles may have been at the club all this time.
18. The boys may have been playing tennis since lunchtime.
19. It occurred to him that his hostess might be entertaining the guests in the garden.
20. Let me tell you my story, and by time, you see, you may have that made up your mind.
21. If he had phoned, they might have seen him off. But he didn’t.
2. Change the following sentences to express uncertainty using the modal verb “may” and the proper form of the infinitive. Follow the example.
Example: Perhaps (may be) he is having dinner. He may be having dinner.
A.
1. Perhaps Bess is making tea in the kitchen.
2. Maybe Paul sees him very often.
3. Maybe they are still having a holiday.
4. Perhaps his daughter is not studying in a teacher training college.
5. Maybe the doctor is examining the patient now.
B.
1. Perhaps the film will have a happy end.
2. Maybe he will not tell you the truth.
3. Maybe Jane will forgive him.
4. Perhaps the test will not be so difficult next time.
5. Maybe the Palmers will stay at home on Sunday.
C.
1. Perhaps your neighbours have left the town.
2. Maybe Sam hasn’t made an appointment with the dentist.
3. Perhaps everybody has agreed to the plan.
4. Maybe they didn’t send him a letter.
5. Maybe the situation has changed.
D.
1. Maybe the students have not been studying French long.
2. Maybe they have been staying at the hotel for more than a week.
3. Perhaps he has not been here long.
4. Perhaps Mr Parker has been working in the garden since morning.
5. Perhaps Uncle Tom has been having a nap since lunchtime.
3. Make the following sentences less certain by using “may” or “might”.
Example: They will arrive tomorrow. They may arrive tomorrow.
- She will be late. 4. The old woman slipped on the ice.
- They had a dictation yesterday. 5. Philip will tell them about
- They are eating breakfast.
