Uncertainty, doubt, improbability.

In this meaning “can” is found in interrogative and negative sentences. Depending on the time reference, “can” in this meaning is used in combination with different forms of the infinitive:

a) if reference is made to the present or to the future, the Indefinite Infinitive is used.

e.g. Can Jerusha be the oldest orphan?

Life cannot be a stereotype for Pr. Fox.

b) if reference is made to the present and the action is in process, the Continuous Infinitive is used.

e.g. Can Jerusha be making sandwiches in the pantry?

The porter cannot be standing outside the door of a third-class carriage.

c) “can” in combination with the Perfect Infinitive refers the action to the past.

e.g. Can Cedric have gained any information on the subject of pirates?

Erik cannot have made a poor impression.

“Can” in combination with the Perfect Continuous Infinitive indicates an action begun in the past, continued into the moment of speaking.

e. g. Can Pr. Fox have been working at Columbia University for 12 years?

Jerusha cannot have been making sandwiches for the asylum’s guests since five this morning.

With verbs that cannot have the Continuous form, the Perfect Infinitive is used in this case.

e.g. Can Pr. Fox have been through this interview on the average of twice a year for 12 years?

The form “could” is also used in this meaning making the statement less categorical.

e.g. Could Pr. Fox have been through this interview on the average of twice a year for 12 years?

In Russian this kind of modality is usually rendered by means of: “неужели?”, “не может быть!”.

SET PHRASES WITH THE VERB "CAN":

1) can’t (couldn’t) help doing smth.

2) can’t (couldn’t) but do smth.

EXERCISES:

1. Translate the following sentences into Russian. State the meaning of the verb “can” in them.

1) Each year just before the semester starts, Mrs. Fox and I hold an open house. There you can meet all the members of the staff.

2) Jerusha couldn’t picture the daily routine of those other human beings who carried on their lives undisturbed by orphans.

3) Cedric could find something to interest him on every side.

4) Hope rose in my breast. I could leave the boat and go ashore.

5) Can you carry my suitcase to the first-class carriage?

6) You can’t cross the street here.

7) Can Mrs. McJillicuddy have changed at Roxeter?

8) Mrs. McJillicuddy can’t be panting along the platform in the wake of the porter.

9) Can the trunks be taken to the steamer?

10) Could Cedric have found himself in the midst of the wildest bustle and confusion?

2. Refer to the past:

1) The boy can speak four foreign languages.

2) Through the window we can see the policeman on point duty.

3) You can’t cross the street under the red traffic light.

4) Can Cedric be ill?

5) Can Ann be reading this text?

6) We can’t read this text; it is too difficult.

7) She can’t be making fun of you.

8) Hortense can’t buy this twohundred-dollar coat.

9) Jan can’t give up his studies and go into training.

10) Jan can’t be playing centre-forward.

3. Express doubt, improbability:

1) Ann is my cousin.

2) John won the game.

3) The students have cut classes.

4) The train left the station at 5 sharp.

5) I didn’t see my friend that day.

6) He didn’t bring the book he promised.

7) The teacher didn’t point out our mistakes.

8) They are still writing the test.

9) We didn’t like the drama.

10) Yesterday I bought a new book.

4. Paraphrase the following sentences:

1) It is surprising that he shouldn’t have congratulated the girls of the group on the Women’s Day.

2) It is amusing that he should be inviting her to dine out with him.

3) It is incredible that she should have forgotten to invite him to dinner.

4) It is impossible that they should have been dancing most of the time.

5) It is impossible that we should introduce Pete to our friends.

6) It is unbelievable that she should have refused to help her sick friend.

7) I hardly believe my ears that my daughter should have agreed to marry him.

8) I don’t believe that the student should have failed the exam.

9) It is doubtful that my parents should have left the town.

10) Is it possible that nobody should have informed you about it?

5. Render the following dialogue. Make up your own dialogues using the modal verb “can”.

– Could you help me, Jane?

– Yes, mother, but what can I do?

– You can rinse the clothes and tint them blue.

– Why, mother, there is a whole heap here, you can’t have washed them all alone.

– You know, Jane, I began washing after you went to school. If you help me, we shall be able to dry the clothes today as well.

6. Translate the following sentences into English:

1) Когда Джин пошла в школу, она уже могла читать и писать.

2) Мисс Кэролайн недавно приехала в Мейкомб и не могла знать обычаев города.

3) Не может быть, чтобы Гортензия не купила тот меховой жакет. Он просто находка для нее.

4) “Не можете ли вы показать мне этот жакет с косыми карманами?” - Гортензия обратилась к владельцу мехового магазина.

5) Неужели вы видели такой жакет в другом магазине? Он сшит по индивидуальному заказу.

6) Вам нельзя находиться на футбольном поле, скоро начнется матч.

7) Неужели отборочный комитет присутствует на матче? Если Ян будет хорошо играть сегодня, его могут включить в состав сборной команды.

8) Эрик мог вести лабораторные работы со студентами первого курса.

9) Кроме того, в Колумбийском университете проводилось множество исследований, которые могли помочь Эрику в выборе темы.

10) Неужели в этом году они приняли в штат только одного ассистента?

MAY

The modal verb “may” has the following forms: may (the Present tense) and might (the Past tense). To supply the missing forms the equivalents “to be allowed” and “to be permitted” are used.

The modal verb “may” has the following meanings: