The translation of the modal verbs: "may, might, can, could, would, should"

Translation 1: Ты можешь взять мой зонтик.

Can in this meaning is found in affirmative sentences, interrogative sentences in which a request is expressed, and in negative sentences where it expresses prohibition.

Example 2: You can use my car. Can I use your car? You can't use my car today.

Translation 2: Вы можете использовать мой автомобиль. Я могу использовать Ваш автомобиль? Сегодня Вы не можете использовать мой автомобиль.

In this meaning can is combined with the simple infinitive.

The form could with reference to the present is found only in interrogative sentences in which it expresses a more polite request.

Example 3: Could I use your car?

Translation 3: Я мог бы использовать Ваш автомобиль?

The form could is found in reported speech (i.e. in accordance with the rules of the sequence of tenses).

Example 4: He said that I could use his car.

Translation 5: Он сказал что я мог бы взять его машину.

Improbability

Example 1: It can't be true.

Translation 1: Это не может быть правдой.

In this meaning can is found only in negative sentences, which are often emotionally colored. Depending on the time reference, this can is also used with different forms of the infinitive.

Example 2: He can't be really ill.

Translation 2: Он не может быть действительно больным.

Example 3: She can't be telling lies.

Translation 3: Она не может врать.

Example 4: He can't have said it.

Translation 4: Он не может сказать это.

Example 5: She can't have been at home all this time.

Translation 5: Она не могла быть дома все это время.

Could is also used in this way making the statement less categorical

Example 6: It couldn't be true.

Translation 6: Это не могло быть правдой.

Example 7: She couldn't be telling lies.

Translation 7: Она не могла врать.

Example 8: He couldn't have said it.

Translation 8: Он не мог сказать это.

Can and could followed by different forms of the infinitive, are found in special questions where they are used for emotional coloring (to express puzzlement, impatience, etc.).

Example 9: What can (could) he mean?

Translation 9: Чтобы это могло значить?

It can be rendered in Russian as: Что, собственно, он имеет в виду?

As is seen from the above examples, the form could referring to present is sometimes clearly opposed to can in that it expresses unreality whereas can expresses reality. This may be observed in the following meanings:

ability - He can speak English. He could speak English if necessary.

Он может говорить на Английском. Он мог бы говорить на Английском, если необходимо.

possibility due to circumstances - You can get the book from the library. You сould get the book from the library if necessary.

Ты можешь взять книгу в библиотеке. Ты мог бы взять книгу из библиотеки по необходимостию

Example 10: “You can have a million books on our television screen, and even more. There is nothing to throw away.” (I. Asimov) [p.65]

Translation 10: “У Вас может быть миллион книг по нашему телевизионному экрану, и даже больше. Нет ничего, чтобы выбросить.”

Example 11: “How could a man be a teacher? “ (I. Asimov) [p. 31]

Translation 11: “Как человек мог быть учителем?“

In the other meanings, however, this difference between the two forms is obliterated. Could is used either as a milder or mote polite form of can as a form implying more uncertainty than can: permission - Can I use your pen? Could I use your pen? (more polite) Могу ли я взять твою ручку? Мог бы я взять твою ручку?

We can also find some examples of Modal Verbs usage in some newspapers , magazines or in literature.

Example 12: It could be true but it is advisable to find out first what has really happened there.

Translation 12: Может быть, это и правда, но лучше сначала выяснить, что же действительно там произошло. (I. Asimov) [p.12]

Example 13: “Honey, you couldn't support a wife,” she answered cheerfully. “Anyway, I know you too well to fall in love with you.” (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Translation 13: "Сладкий, ты не можешь поддержать жену,” ответила она бодро. “Так или иначе, я знаю, что ты слишком хорошо влюбиться в тебя.”

In this case the verb could is used here in the meaning of doubt, uncertainty and improbability.

May

The modal verb may has the following forms: may - the Present tense (e.g. it may be true) and might - the Past tense. The form might is used in two ways: a) in past-time contexts, mainly in reported speech in accordance with the rules of the sequence of tenses (e.g. He told me that it might be true) and b) in present-time contexts as a milder and more polite form of may, or as a form implying more uncertainty than may (e.g. Might I come and see you? It might be true), or to express unreality (e.g. He might have fallen ill if he hadn't taken the pills).

May has the following meanings:

supposition implying uncertainty

Example 1: He may be busy getting ready for his trip.

Translation 1: Он может быть занят, готовясь к его походу.

In Russian this meaning is generally rendered by means of the modal adverbs возможно and может быть.

In English this meaning may also be rendered by means of the attitudinal adverbs perhaps and maybe.

In the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty the verb may occurs in affirmative and negative sentences.

Example 2: He may be at home.

Translation 2: Он может быть дома

Example 3: He may not be at home

Translation 3: Возможно, что его нет дома.

Example 4: Two factors may temporarily have increased their caution. (W. Faulkner) [p.23]

Translation 4: Два фактора, возможно, временно увеличили свое предупреждение.

In this meaning may can be followed by different forms of the infinitive depending on the time reference expressed.

May in combination with the simple infinitive usually refers the action to the future.

Example 5: He may come soon.

Translation 5: Он может скоро приехать

May in combination with the Continuous infinitive of dynamic verbs refers the action to the present.

Example 6: It's too late to phone him now. He may be sleeping.

Translation 6: Очень поздно позвонить ему сейчас. Он может спать.

Example 7: I never see him about now. For all I know, he may be writing a book.

Translation 7: Я никогда не вижу его теперь. Кто знает, он может пишет книгу.

May in combination with the Perfect infinitive refers the action to the past.

Example 8: “What's happened to the dog?” I asked. “It isn't here. His master may have taken it with him.” (M. Spark.) [p.99]

Translation 8: “Что случилось с собакой?” Я спросил. “Он не здесь. Его хозяин, возможно, взял его с собой.”

The combination of may with the Perfect infinitive may also indicate an action begun in the past and continued into the moment of speaking. This is usually found with stative verbs.

Example 9: He may have been at home from about two hours.

Translation 9: Он, возможно, был дома приблизительно около двух часов.

However, if may is followed by a dynamic verb, the Perfect Continuous infinitive is used.

Example 10: He may have been waiting for us for an hour.

Translation 10: Он, возможно, ждал нас в течение часа.

In the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty, the form might is also found. It differs from the form may in that it emphasizes the idea of uncertainty. It may be followed by the simple, Continuous or Perfect infinitive.

Example 11: He might come soon. He might be ill. He might be doing his lesson now. He might have spoken to her yesterday.

Translation 11: Он мог скоро приехать. Он мог бы быть больным. Он мог делать свой урок теперь. Он, возможно, вчера говорил с нею.

2)possibility due to circumstances

Example 1: You may order a taxi by telephone.

Translation 1: Вы можете заказать такси по телефону.

A useful rough-and-ready rule is that rime adverbs may come at either end of the sentence, but not in the middle.

May in this meaning occurs only in affirmative sentences and is followed only by the simple infinitive.

The form might is used in past-time contexts in accordance with the rules of the sequence of the tenses.

Example 2: He said the might order a taxi by telephone.

Translation 2: Он сказал, что мог бы заказать такси по телефону.

Might followed by the Perfect Infinitive indicates that the action was not carried out owning to certain circumstances (expressed in the sentence or implied).

Example 3: It seemed to him that the most interesting thing in life was what might lie just around the corner. (O. Henry)[p.63]

Translation 3: Ему казалось, что самая интересная вещь в жизни была тем, что могло бы лечь только за углом.

3)permission

Example 1: If you have got a car and can drive, you may spend part of your holiday moving from place to place. (C. Eckersley) [p.96]

Translation 1: Если у вас есть автомобиль и можете передвигаться, то вы можете потратить часть своего выходного, перемещавшись с места на место.

May in this meaning is found in affirmative sentences, in interrogative sentences which usually express a request, and in negative sentences where it denotes prohibition. But in negative sentences it is not common as prohibition is generally expressed by other modal verbs (see can and must).

Example 2: You may smoke in here. May I smoke in here? You may not smoke in here.

Translation 2: Ты можешь курить здесь. Могу ли я курить здесь? Ты не можешь курить здесь.

In this meaning may is combined only with the simple infinitive. In interrogative sentences the form might is also found when we wish to express a more polite request.

Example 3: May I join you?

Translation 3: Я могу присоединиться к Вам?

In reported speech the form might is used.

Example 4: He told me that I might smoke in the room. He asked me if he might join us.

Translation 4: Он сказал мне, что я мог бы курить в комнате. Он сказал мне, что мог бы присоединиться к нам.

4)disapproval or reproach

Example 1: You might carry the parcel for me. You might have helped me.

Translation 1: Вы могли бы нести мой пакет. Вы могли бы помочь мне.

Here we find only the form might used in affirmative sentences and followed by the simple of Perfect infinitive. In the latter case it expressed reproach for the nonperformance of an action.

The form might which expresses unreality is not always parallel to may. Might expresses unreality only in combination with the Perfect infinitive.

Example 2: There was a car accident in front of our house. Luckily Tommy was at school. He might have been killed. (J. Joyce.) [p.56]

Translation 2: Была автомобильная катастрофа перед нашим домом. К счастью Томми был в школе. Он мог бы погибнуть.

In most cases might is used as a milder and more polite form than may of as a form implying a greater degree of uncertainty:

Permission:

Example 3: Might I take the liberty of pointing out that you have made a small mistake? (J. Joyce) [p.101]

Translation 3: Я мог бы взять на себя смелость, что указать на вашу ошибку?

Supposition:

Example 4: The Chancellor's measures might help towards an agreement on an incomes policy. (Moscow News).

Translation 4: Меры Канцлера могли бы помочь к соглашению по политике доходов.

The two forms are not opposed in the meaning of possibility due to circumstances where only may is used, nor in the meaning of disapproval of reproach where might alone is found.

Example 5: You may find the book at the library.

Translation 5: Ты можешь найти книгу в библиотеке.

May as well (might as well, might just as well) + infinitive is a very mild and an emphatic way of expressing an intention. It is also used to suggest of recommend an action.

Example 6: I may as well take the child with me.

Translation 6: Я, пожалуй, возьму ребенка с собой.

Example 7: You may as well give him the letter. I might as well stay at home tonight.

Translation 7: Вы можете также отослать ему письмо. Я мог бы также остаться дома сегодня вечером.

It might have been worse means “Things are not so bad after all.” In Russian it is rendered as: Могло бы быть и хуже or в конце концов дела обстоят не так уж и плохо).

Example 8: Roy Wilson, the new doctor, was twenty-eight, large, heavy, mature and blond. He might have been a Scandinavian sailor.( O. Wilde.)[p.65]

Translation 8: Рой Вилсон, новый доктор, ему было двадцать восемь, большой, тяжелый, зрелый и белокурый. Он, возможно, был скандинавским моряком.

In addition to the above cases illustrating the independent use of may, this modal verb occurs in subordinate object clauses after expressions of fear as well as in adverbial clauses of purpose and concession.

Here are some more examples from the works of the English and American literature:

Example 9: Try as she might, her poor head just wouldn't let her think what it was she should rightly remember.(O. Wilde) [p.69]

Translation 9: Попробуйте, как она могла бы, ее бедная голова не будет позволять ей думать, она должна справедливо помнить.

Example 10: You certainly won't. You may freeze your nose, but you won't be shivery cold. It's hard and dry, you know. (F. Scott Fitzgerald) [p. 78]

Translation 10: Вы конечно не будете. Вы можете заморозить свой нос, но Вы не будете дрожать. Он тверд и сух, Вы знаете.

Should

In modern English the modal verb should is used with reference to the present or future. It remains unchanged in reported speech.

Should has the following meanings:

1)obligation, which in different contexts may acquire additional shades of meaning, such as advisability and desirability.

Example 1: He said that the status of the Greek minority should be viewed in the light of political balance. (Moscow news)

Translation 1: Он сказал, что статус греческого меньшинства следует рассмотреть в свете политического баланса.

Example 2: He said that this was not a temporary problem. Lasting arrangements should be made. (W. Faulkner) [p.63]

Translation 2: Он сказал, что это не было временной проблемой. Следует сделать длительные приготовления.

Should in this meaning is found in all kinds of sentences. Like ought to it generally refers an action to the future and followed by the simple infinitive.

With reference to the resent should is used with the Continuous Infinitive or with the simple infinitive if the verb is stative.

Example 3: You shouldn't be sitting in home.

Translation 3: Тебе не следует сидеть домаю

Should may be combined with the Perfect Infinitive. In this case the meaning of the combination depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative. In an affirmative sentence should + Perfect Infinitive indicates that a desirable action was not carried out.

Example 4: He looks very ill. He should have stayed at home.

Translation 4: Он выглядит больным. Ему следует остаться дома.

In a negative sentence should + Perfect Infinitive serves to show that an undesirable action was carried out.

Example 5: Oh, John, you shouldn't have done as you did.

Translation5: О, Джон, Вы не следовало делать, как Вы сделали.

2)supposition implying strong probability,

Example 6: The film should be very good as it is starring first-class actors.

Translation 6: Фильм должен быть очень хорошим, поскольку там играет главную роль первоклассный актер.

The use of should in this case does not seem to be very common as this meaning is usually rendered by must.

In addition to the above mentioned cases showing the independent use of should this verb occurs in certain object clauses where it depends on the lexical character of the predicate verb in the principal clause and in adverbial clauses of condition, purpose and concession.

Example 7: I suggest hat you should stay here as if nothing had happened.

Translation 7: Я предлагаю, Вам следует остаться здесь, как будто ничто не случилось.

Should may have a peculiar function - it may be used for emotional coloring. In this function it may be called the emotional should. The use of the emotional should is structurally dependent.

It is found in the following cases:

1)In special emphatic constructions where a simple predicate is not used:

a)in rhetorical questions beginning with why,

Example 1: Why should I do it?

Translation 1: С какой стати я буду это делать?

Example 2: Why shouldn't you invite him?

Translation 2: Почему бы Вам его не пригласить?

b)in object clauses beginning with why,

Example 3: I don't know why he should want to see him

Translation 3: Я не знаю зачем он ему нужен

c)in attributive clauses beginning with why after the noun reason,

Example 4: There is no reason why they shouldn't get on very well together

Translation 4: Нет причины почему бы им не ладить дpуг с другом.

d)in constructions of the following kind,

Example 5: The door opened and who should come in but Tom

Translation 5: Дверь открылась, и, кто бы Вы думали, вошёл? Никто иной, как Том

e)in the set phrase How should I know? (Почём я знаю?) In the above cases should may be followed by the Perfect infinitive which in simple sentences refers the action to the past and in complex sentences shows that the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the principal clause.

Example 6: Why shouldn't I have done it?

Translation 6: Почему бы мне не сделать это?

Example 7: He didn't know why he should have expected them to look different

Translation 7: Он не знал почему ожидал увидеть их с другими.

2)In certain types of subordinate clauses where should + infinitive is interchangeable with a simple predicate in the Indicative Mood:

a)in object clauses after expressions of regret, surprise, sometimes pleasure or displeasure,

Example 1: I`m sorry that you should think so badly of me

Translation 1: Мне жаль, что Вы так плохо обо мне думаете.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed here. The Perfect infinitive is used to show that the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the principal clause.

Example 2: I am sorry that you should have had a row with Kate about it.

Translation 2: Я сожалею, что вам следовало бы поссориться с Кейт об этом.

b)in object clauses following the principal clause with it as a formal subject,

Example 1: It is absurd that such things should happen to a family like theirs Translation 2: Нелепо, чтобы такие вещи случались в такой семье, как их.

In the principal clause we find such expressions as it is wonderful (absurd, monstrous, natural, odd, queer, singular, strange, terrible and the like), it infuriated, (outraged, puzzled, startled, surprised and the like) me, it struck me as funny, etc. We also find he following interrogative expressions in the principal clause: is it possible (likely, probable)? , it is not possible (likely, probable), it is impossible (improbable, unlikely).

As we see from the above examples, the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed here either.

If the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the principal clause, the Perfect infinitive is used after should.

Example 3: It is inconceivable that Mrs. C. should have written such a letter.

Translation 3: Непостижимо, что госпоже К. следовало бы написать такое письмо.

c)in constructions of the following kind.

Example 1: That it should come to this!

Translation 1: И до чего дело дошло!

Example 2: To think that it should come to this!

Translation 2: Подумать только, до чего дело дошло!

Example 3: To think that it should have happened to me!

Translation 3: Подумать только, что это произошло со мной!

Some literary examples:

Example 4: It is good that the Government should have recognized the opportunity and the obligations so clearly. (E. Hermingway) [p.23]

Translation 4: Хорошо, что Правительству следовало было признать возможность и обязательства.

To sum it up, it should be said that as compared to the use of a simple predicate in the Indicative Mood, the use of should + infinitive gives the statement emotional coloring such as surprise, amazement, irritation, indignation, pleasure, displeasure etc, i.e. it emphasizes the speaker's personal attitude towards the facts stated in the sentence. The Indicative Mood represents these acts in a more matter-of-fact way.

Will

The verb will has the following forms: will - the present tense and would - the past tense. The latter form is used in two ways:

a)in past-time context to express an actual fact and

b)in present-time context to express unreality or as a milder and more polite form of will.

Will and would may also be used as verbs of full predication (not modal verbs). Will may be used as a regular verb (wills, willed). It means проявлять волю, заставлять, внушать. Would s a defective verb. It is used with reference to the present and means “ желать”. It is found mainly in poetry and like the verb to wish is followed by an object clause: I would I were a careless child.

While shall and should are treated as two different verbs in modern English, will and would are considered to be the forms of the same verb, its original meaning being that of volition (Volition is a general term which includes such meanings as willingness, readiness, consent, intention and determination to perform an action). However, in some of their meanings the use of will is parallel only to would which denotes an actual fact in the past; in other meanings will is found alongside would which expresses unreality in the present or serves as a milder or more polite form of will.

The use of will and would which denotes an actual fact in the past is parallel in the following cases:

1)when they express habitual or recurrent actions.

Example 1: She will (would) sit for hours under the old oak tree looking at the beautiful country around her (…любит/любила сидеть, обычно сидит/сидела …)

Translation 1: Она бывало сидела в течение многих часов под старым дубом, смотря на красивую страну вокруг нее.

In addition to indicating an habitual action, will (would) in this case implies willingness, personal interest on the part of the doer of the action. Will (would) in this meaning is found in affirmative sentences and is followed by he simple infinitive.

In present-time context will in this meaning is not common. In past-time context would is mainly characteristic of literary style.

Example 2: Then there were weekends when he would ride over to the house of one farmer or another and spend a couple of nights on the hills.

Translation 2: Тогда были уикэнды, когда он намеревался поехать к дому одного фермера или другого и провести несколько ночей на холмах.

2)when they express refusal to perform an action.

Example 1: “Clark,” she said softly, “I wouldn't change you for the world”. (F. Scott Fitzgerald) [p.23]

Translation 1: "Кларк", она сказала мягко, “я не собираюсь изменять Вас для мира”.

This meaning is found in negative sentences; will (would) is followed by the simple infinitive. In Russian it is usually rendered as никак не хочу, ни за что не хотел.

3)when they are used with lifeless things to show hat a thing fails to perform its immediate function,

Example 1: My fountain pen won't (wouldn't) write.

Translation 1: Моя любимая ручка не желает писать.

In this meaning will (would) is found in negative sentences and is followed by the simple infinitive. In Russian it is usually rendered as никак не пишет (не писала), никак не открывается (не открывалась) and the like.

4)when they are used with the first person to express will, intention or determination,

Example 1: “Damn it!” he thought, “I'm going to get out of this hole. I will make money. I am an Englishman and I will suffer no priest to interfere in my business”. (B.J. Chute.)

Translation 1: “Прокляните это!” он думал, “я собираюсь выйти из этого отверстия. Я собираюсь делать деньги. Я - англичанин, и я не переношу священника, чтобы вмешаться в мой бизнес”.

Example 2: “I said I would do anything for him. We decided that we wouldn't interfere”.

Translation 2: “Я сказал, что я собираюсь сделаю что-нибудь для него. Мы решили, что мы не будем вмешиваться”.

This meaning is found in affirmative and negative sentences. The present tense will, in addition to expressing its modal meaning, serves to refer an action to the future; the past tense would is generally used in reported speech and also serves to refer an action to the future but in this case it is viewed from a past moment.

The use of will and would which expresses unreality in the present or serves as a milder or more polite form of will is parallel in the following cases:

5)in interrogative sentences where they express willingness, consent,

Example 1: Will you dine with me tomorrow, Lewis?

Translation 1: Вы собираетесь обедать со мной завтра, Льюис?

6)n clauses of condition introduced by if where they also express willingness, consent,

Example 2: “It's about forty minutes' walk from ere and if you'll come now I'll go with you” he said. No, we are not going to quarrel at all if you'll only let me talk. Mr. Marlowe? If you will come this way, please? (R. Chandler)

Translation 2: “Это - прогулка приблизительно сорока минут от до и если Вы приедете теперь, я пойду с Вами”, он сказал. Нет, мы не собираемся ссориться вообще, если Вы только позволите мне говорить. Г. Марлоу? Если Вы пойдете в этом направлении, пожалуйста?

In both cases will (would) is followed by the simple infinitive and the action always refers to the future.

Both interrogative and conditional sentences are often actually polite requests in this case. There is hardly any difference between the use of will and would here; the role of would is to make the request still more polite.

The use of will and would is not parallel in the following cases:

1)Will may be used to express supposition with reference to; the present or to the future in combination with the simple infinitive, or to the past in combination with the Perfect infinitive. This meaning is found with the second and third persons.

Example 1: This will be the school, I believe.

Translation 1: Это, по-видимому, и есть школа.

Example 2: You will have heard the news, I'm sure

Translation 2: Я полагаю, Вы уже слышали новость.

It should be noted that the use of will in this meaning is not common.

2)Would may be used rather sarcastically to express that something was to be expected. It is found in affirmative and negative sentences.

Example 1: The law wouldn't call it a murder if I shot a thief entering my house by force. (W. De Mille)

Translation 1: Закон не может назвать это убийством, если бы я стрелял в вора, входящего в мой дом.

This meaning can be rendered in Russian as Этого и следовало ожидать.

3)Note the use of will in the following sentences, e.g.:

Example 1: Boys will be boys.

Translation 1: Мальчишки остаются мальчишками.

4)phrases with will and would:

a)Will not have (won't have) followed by an object and an infinitive without to means “I'll see to it that it does not happen”.

Example 1: “I will not (won't) have you speak to me like that, her voice came sharply.

Translation 1: “Я не собираюсь, чтобы Вы говорили со мной как этот, ее резко приблизившейся голос.

b)Both would rather (`d rather) and would sooner (`d sooner) followed by an infinitive without to mean `to prefer'.

Example 1: “I'd rather do it myself” he said.

Translation 1: “Я сделал бы это непосредственно”, он сказал.

c)Would … mind in interrogative sentences may also express a polite request: Would you mind getting me a cup of tea?

Would also occurs in certain subordinate clauses where it is structurally dependent.

Example 2: I wish the train would stop for a moment.

Translation 2: Я желаю, чтобы поезд остановился бы на мгновение.

This modal verb will - would is more often used in literature. Here are several examples on its usage.

Example 3: Senor Montevalde had never faced a bull without the protection of a stout fence, and never would. (F. Harvey)

Translation 3: Сеньор Монтеволд никогда не оказывался перед быком без защиты крепкого забора, и никогда не будет.

Example 4: This Velma was an entertainer, a singer. You wouldn't know her? I don't suppose you went there much.(R. Chandler)

Translation 4: Эта Вельма была конферансье, певцом. Вам не следовало бы знать ее? Я не предполагаю, что Вы пошли туда.

Example 5: Look where we would there was no rock or tree (O. Wilde).

Translation 5: Смотрите, где мы были не было никакой скалы или дерева.

Example 6: “And what would you be doing, my dears?” she said. “What brings you to Gipsy's Acre?” (A. Christie) (Что бы это вы могли тут делать…..)

Translation 6: “И что Вы сделали бы, мой дорогой?” она сказала. “Что приносет Вам Акра Цыгана?”

Example 7: Sometimes the boys would play a trick on their teacher (M. Spark).

Translation 7: Иногда мальчики бывало шутили над своим учителем.

Example 8: It would be impossible to build a bridge without knowing it.(W. Faulkner)

Translation 8: Было бы невозможно построить мост, не зная это.

2.3 The Usage of Modal Verbs in Business English

Modal verbs clarify a statement in the interpersonal dimension. In other words, they express the viewpoint of the writer about the event he or she is explaining. In the content (factual) dimension, let us assume a simple statement:

The operator pushes the green button to start the motor.

In the interpersonal dimension, author, the writer, may not be certain whether this is true. Author will want to distinguish whether there is a small possibility, a strong probability, or an absolute necessity for this action to occur. To be safe, Author add clarifying information:

The operator "may/might/" push the green button to start the motor.

The "content" is the same in all the sentences, but changing the helping verb shows how "certain" Author is about the possibility of this action actually occurring.

Suppose, however, author doesn't care about the probability of the action. Suppose author want to give the opinion on how much "obligation" the operator has to push the button. For example Author might want to suggest/request/order the operator to push the button. Once again author will add clarifying information:

The operator "can/may/should/" push the green button to start the motor.

In both of the above two cases, author, as the writer, have to be careful to choose the right helping verb to indicate the exact nuance of meaning. But a problem exists: a given form of the same sentence can have two possible interpretations, the interpretation of certitude and the interpretation of obligation. If you look at the two examples above, you will find that the words "may" can be used for both probability and obligation. That is, "may" means both "small possibility" and "is allowed to".

For example, "the operator MAY push the green button to start the motor" can be interpreted as:

Example 1: The operator is allowed to push the green button to start the motor

Translation 1: Оператору разрешают нажать на зеленую кнопку, чтобы начать движение.

Example 2: It is possible that the operator will push the green button to start the motor.

Translation 2: Возможно, что оператор нажмет на зеленую кнопку, чтобы начать движение.

Without additional information, it is impossible for the reader to be certain which meaning is the correct interpretation of this sentence.

As good technical and scientific writers we are obliged to avoid ambiguity and yet the words we would normally use to express the important ideas of the various degrees of certitude and obligation are inherently ambiguous. Specifically, here are the possible meanings for each of the modal verbs:

May: ability, possibility, permission, wish

Can: ability, possibility, permission

Could: ability, possibility, permission

Might: ability, possibility, permission

Should: obligation, propriety, prediction

Would: customary activity, prediction, wish

Shall: future, necessity, obligation

A good writer is expected to avoid such ambiguity, but not everyone who writes is a good writer. To improve the clarity of your own writing, we will provide subsequent articles on the wording you can use to avoid this problem. To help you interpret someone else's writing, use the above list of potential meanings, but be warned: sometimes even native speakers cannot correctly interpret the meaning of careless writing.

On the other hand, what can we do as writers? Are we obligated to avoid using those ambiguous modal verbs? No, not always. If the context is clear, they are the best choice because they are the most concise way to express our ideas. But we must be certain that the context is clear. For example, the following sentences are not ambiguous:

-- The hurricane may come ashore near Miami tomorrow.

-- The machine may break if not properly maintained.

Why are these sentences not ambiguous? Because the sense of "obligation" is not possible in their context. So the only possible meaning is that of possibility. No human can obligate a hurricane to land at a certain place and time. Nor can a human obligate a machine to break. Thus, there is no ambiguity.

So when it is clear from the context that it is impossible for humans to have control over the event, then the modal verbs for possibility can be used. And when it is clear from context that the event describes an action that involves some level of obligation for human action, then the modal verbs for obligation can be used.

The problem occurs, however, when there is not enough contextual information available for the reader to reject one of the ambiguous meanings. The writer, of course, has all the information in his or her head. But that context may not have been expressed clearly in the text, or the reader may lack the expert level of context that the writer expects the reader to have. In that case, we cannot use modal verbs.

When author came to the study of each modal verb, a third problematic issue was to categorize the uses of the modal auxiliary verbs, so as to be both precise and at the same time general enough to produce manageable and meaningful results. A first way would have been to categorize the modal auxiliaries into epistemic, deontic and dynamic. But if such classification is relevant in terms of grammar it is also relatively inefficient in terms of practical communication for instance, the deontic may can be used to express either a choice between two or several elements but also something optional as in the following sentences:

Example 3: A sensing device measures the required parameters: these devices may be gauges, photo-electric cells, thermocouples, sensors, etc. [a choice between several elements]

Translation 3: Данное устройство измеряет необходимые параметры: этими параметрами могут быть, фотоэлементами, термопарами, датчиками, и т.д. [выбор между несколькими элементами]

Example 4: For machining wood or brass you may want to install a switch cover (P/N 3015) to keep the fine dust out of the power switch. [something optional]

Translation 4: Для механической обработки леса или латуни возможно вы захотите установить покрытие на выключатель, чтобы мелкая пыль не попадала на выключатель. [кое-что произвольное]

Would it be sensible - and perhaps feasible - to keep meanings one or two separate or to associate them?

Making out the very precise meaning of some modal verbs as well as isolating their uses in formal classes would sometimes be almost impossible and besides, would also be pointless: on the one hand the difference between may expressing a choice and may expressing something optional is often hardly significant and would not lead to any interesting distinction. This is why the both shades of meaning under the same heading have been chosen.

On the other hand, may expresses possibility (example 5) but inside this larger category, it is possible to focus on more limited ones, namely hedging (example 6) and risk (example 7)

Example 5: He should not be disturbed, he may be working.

Translation 5: Его не следует тревожить, он может быть работает.

Example 6: You may wonder how it will perform in this environment...

Translation 6: Вы можете задаться вопросом, как выступит в этой окружающей среде...

Example 7: Never remove the top cover [...] You may suffer serious injury if you touch these parts.

Translation 7: Никогда не удаляйте главное покрытие [...], Вы можете перенести серьезную травму, если Вы касаетесь этих частей.

Just as noticed in the case of may expressing choice / option, the meanings are at the same time slightly different but basically similar- as a matter of fact, 5 includes 6 and 7 - and may therefore be dealt with as either one, two or three units depending on the accuracy to be obtained.

The difference appears in these sample sentences:

Example 8: Ecological optimisation of plastics types and of the range of plastics should also be a project field. [advice]

Translation 8: Экологическая оптимизация типов пластмасс и амплитуды пластмасс должны быть также областью исследований. [совет]

Example 9: To guarantee reliability, operating conditions should be kept well within maximum ratings. [obligation / necessity]

Translation 9: Чтобы гарантировать надежность, условия эксплуатации должны соблюдаться в пределах максимальных возможностей. [обязательство / потребность]

But even then, it sometimes proved difficult to distribute some sentences between these categories especially when they tend to overlap: Author tried to be as consistent as possible but, since this difficulty arose only in a few sentences of the corpora, it had no real impact on the results when contrasted with the total number of occurrences (respectively 199 and 153 regarding should).

Obviously, there are several types of modality, there is an infinity of shades of meaning which cannot be taken into account by rigid categories. Take these examples

Example 10: At this stage, the identification of additional needs can be relatively simple

Translation 10: На данном этапе, идентификация дополнительных потребностей может быть относительно простой

Example 11: The first report concluded that [...] and this would appear to be the case from the present study.

Translation 11: В первом сообщении пришли к выводу что,[...] и данный вывод возможно будет поводом для дальнейшего исследования.

In sentence 10, the writer does not suggest ability but he rather claims that his proposition / approach is legitimate. In sentence 11, would in not a plain conditional but a hedged statement in which the writer mitigates his conclusions. But it was clearly impossible to pay attention to every little shade, all the more as, very often, the functions and meanings overlap and may be said to cohere rather than be distinguishable.

CONCLUSION

This work was devoted to The Translation of The Modal Verbs: May, Might, Can, Could, Would, Should. Modal Verbs unlike other verbs. They do not denote actions or states, but only show the attitude of the speaker towards the actions expressed by the infinitive is combination with which they form compound modal predicates. These Modal Verbs may show that the action (or state, of process, or quality) is viewed by the speaker as possible, obligatory, doubtful, certain, permissible, advisable, requested, prohibited, order etc. Modal Verbs occur only with the infinitive. This or that meaning is to a great degree determined by communicative type of the sentence and the form of the infinitive. It is important to realize that the Modal Verbs have no meaning by themselves.

And also the translator should know the peculiarities of the usage of the Modal Verbs. They proper translation to avoid misunderstanding in the procrss of translation.

In the process of writing the author formulated few basic grammatical rules applying to Modal Verbs:

All Modal Verbs are never used with other auxiliary verbs such as do, does, did etc. The negative is formed simply by adding “not” after the verb; questions are formed by inversion of the verb subject.

Modal Verbs never change form: you can never add an “-s” or “-ed”.

Modal Verbs are never followed by to, with the exception of ought to.

Modal Verbs are used in conversation. In the past it is possible to find them only in reported speech. The only exceptions are the Past Tense forms could, would, had, was and might which maybe used not only in conversations but also in narration.

Modal Verbs used in different business and technical documentation often have the ambiguous meaning that requires the great attention from the translation to translate the documents exactly not confusing the meaning of the Modal Verbs.

So there are in Modern English these modal verbs: should, would, may, might,can, could: to have and to be can also be used as modal verbs. May express possibility/high probability (97%) and permission (3%). The modals used to express permission are can (58%), may (16%), could (13%), and might (13%), could (17%). The three most frequent modals are would (28% of all modal occurrences), could (17%), and will (17%).

In this work the author showed the peculiarities of the Modal Verbs, how Modal Verbs can be used and translated, in what case we need to use one or another Modal Verb and why.

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