情态动词表达说话人的态度,如能力、可能、许可、义务、建议、推测。
常见情态动词:
can, could, may, might, must, should, shall, will, would, need, dare
情态动词后接动词原形:
can go
must finish
should study
9.1 can 和 could
can 表示能力、许可、可能性。
I can swim.
我会游泳。
Can I use your phone?
我可以用你的手机吗?
could 可以表示过去能力,也可以表示更委婉的请求。
When I was young, I could run very fast.
我年轻时跑得很快。
Could you help me?
你能帮我吗?
9.2 may 和 might
may 表示许可或可能。
May I come in?
我可以进来吗?
It may rain tonight.
今晚可能下雨。
might 的可能性通常比 may 更弱,语气更不确定。
He might be at home.
他可能在家。
9.3 must 和 have to
must 强调主观认为必须。
You must listen carefully.
你必须认真听。
have to 强调客观情况不得不。
I have to leave now because the last bus is coming.
我必须现在走,因为末班车要来了。
mustn't 表示禁止,不是“不必”。
You mustn't smoke here.
你禁止在这里吸烟。
“不必”常用:
don't have to
needn't
例句:
You don't have to come early.
你不必早来。
9.4 should
should 表示建议、责任、理应。
You should drink more water.
你应该多喝水。
Students should respect their teachers.
学生应该尊重老师。
9.5 情态动词表示推测
must 一定
may/might/could 可能
can't 不可能
例句:
He must be tired.
他一定累了。
She might know the answer.
她可能知道答案。
That can't be true.
那不可能是真的。
对过去的推测:
must have done 一定做过
may/might have done 可能做过
can't have done 不可能做过
should have done 本应该做却没做
例句:
He must have forgotten the meeting.
他一定忘了会议。
You should have told me earlier.
你本应该早点告诉我。