Модальные глаголы can, could и (be) able to
Мы используем can, чтобы сказать, что что-то возможно или разрешено, или что у кого-то есть физическая способность что-то сделать. Мы используем can + инфинитив (can do / can see и др.):
- We can see the lake from our bedroom window.
- ‘I haven’t got a pen.’ ‘You can use mine.’
- Can you speak any foreign languages?
- I can come and see you tomorrow if you like.
- The word ‘play’ can be a noun or a verb.
Отрицательная форма - can’t (= cannot):
- I’m afraid I can’t come to the party on Friday.
Вы можете сказать, что кто-то is able to (способен) сделать что-то, но can более естественный вариант:
- We are able to see the lake from our bedroom window.
Но у can есть только две формы: can (настоящее время) и could (прошедшее время). Поэтому иногда необходимо использовать (be) able to. Сравните:
Иногда could используется как прошедшее время модального глагола can. Часто мы используем could с:
see hear smell taste feel remember understand
- We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake.
- As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas.
- I was sitting at the back of the theatre and couldn’t hear very well.
Мы также используем could, чтобы сказать, что кто-либо обладал общей способностью или разрешением что-либо сделать:
- My grandfather could speak five languages.
- We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do = нам было разрешено)
Мы используем could, говоря об общей способности. Но если вы хотите сказать, что кто-то сделал что-то в какой-то конкретной ситуации, используйте was/were able to или managed to (not could):
- The fire spread through the building very quickly, but fortunately everybody was able to escape / managed to escape. (not
could escape) - We didn’t know where David was, but we managed to find / were able to find him in the end. (not
could find)
Сравните:
Mike was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody. (= в общем, у него была способность/возможность победить кого угодно)
но
Mike and Pete played tennis yesterday. Pete played very well, but Mike managed to beat him. (= он смог победить его конкретно в этой игре)
Отрицательная форма couldn’t (could not) возможна во всех ситуациях:
- My grandfather couldn’t swim.
- We looked for David everywhere, but we couldn’t find him.
- Pete played well, but he couldn’t beat Mike.
Упражнения
1. Закончите предложения, используя can или (be) able to. Используйте can, если возможно; в противном случае, используйте (be) able to.
- Gary has travelled a lot. He speak five languages.
- I haven’t sleep very well recently.
- Nicole drive, but she hasn’t got a car.
- I used to stand on my head, but I can’t do it now.
- I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never understand him.
- I can’t see you on Friday, but I meet you on Saturday morning.
- Ask Catherine about your problem. She might help you.
2. Напишите предложения о себе, используя идеи в скобках.
- (something you used to be able to do)
- (something you used to be able to do)
- (something you would like to be able to do)
- (something you have never been able to do)
3. Закончите предложения с can/can’t/could/couldn’t + следующее:
come eat hear run sleep wait
- I’m afraid I to your party next week.
- When Tim was 16, he 100 metres in 11 seconds.
- ‘Are you in a hurry?’ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I .’
- I was feeling sick yesterday. I anything.
- Can you speak a little louder? I you very well.
- ‘You look tired.’ ‘Yes, I last night.’
4. Завершите ответы на вопросы с was/were able to ... .
- A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes, although the fire spread quickly, everybody ...
- A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I ...
- A: Did you have difficulty finding our house?
B: Not really. Your directions were good and we ...
- A: Did the thief get away?
B: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief ...
5. Закончите предложения, выбрав could, couldn’t или managed to.